Today is the day you get off your ass and get things done. No more procrastinating. No more excuses. You need the quickest route out of Relaxed Mode and unlock the Boost Mode. Let’s get started.
1. Put your health first
A lack of energy and a mind full of negativity use up a great deal of power to do anything. Focus on your health first. At times, it’s not willpower we need but energy. Health hack: Get a boost in energy in an hour by doing these:
- 20 minutes nap
- 5 minutes breathing exercises and meditation
- 10 minutes HIIT exercise
- 5 minutes quick shower
- 15 minutes no-rush plant-based meal, supplementation, and 2 glasses of water
- 5 minutes focus (goals alignment)
These tasks can be a part of your morning routine. By focusing on your health first, you strengthen your willpower.
Bonus: Work on your posture. When you sit straight and walk tall, you get a boost of willpower in that instant.
2. Dress for success
Loungewear encourages good sleep. Corporate attire encourages work. The simple act of wearing a blazer prepares your mind to work. When you work from home in PJs all day, it only gives you permission to stay in your comfort zone.
3. Change the scene
When you took a test in school, you finished your essay in time before the bell. You did not need much motivation to finish the test. It had to be done. Recreate this scenario by working a few days a week at a coworking space. Otherwise, set up a serious home office, set your work hours, and keep work sacred. Prohibit leisure when you work.
4. Get it done first
Willpower is highest in the morning and depleted throughout the day. If you want to get something done, let it be the first thing you do. I repeat, the first thing you do, gets done.
Tasks that need greater willpower are your first tasks of the day. It is easy for those tasks to get lost in the hustle and bustle of your day. So if you want to exercise, sleep in running gear if you must. Start your workday with the task that requires the most willpower and concentration. Do this before checking your email and going to meetings.
5. Create a sense of urgency
When a big project is due in a month, it is common to procrastinate until the last week. So set shorter deadlines for yourself. The Pomodoro technique also works because it pushes us to produce results in a short time (25 to 50 minutes).
Bonus: Check out this free Pomodoro app to get things done!
6. Make plans
When summer is near we have more motivation to eat better and exercise. The holidays also push us to look our best.
When you do not have the motivation to do something, start making plans. Invite someone to come over so you will want to clean. Set up a reunion. Sign up for a marathon. Make plans with people you want to impress.
7. Redirection
If you don’t want to do something, redirect your thoughts. You can replace bad and low-value habits with good, high-value habits. Find better ways to deal with boredom and stress. Entertain yourself with a book. Release stress through sports, yoga, or dancing.
8. Elimination
You can’t eat a cookie that is not in your home. You can’t watch TV if you don’t have one. Ruthless elimination of temptation. That is why you need to change the scene and dress the part when you work. You want to remove the temptation to get comfortable.
9. Gamify
How do games entice us to keep playing to the next round? It breaks down the goal into mini-challenges and rewards us along the way.
Set milestones every 5 to 10 kilos you lose or every 500 words you write. Assign points for every milestone and collect the points to earn rewards. The reward should be something that will help you with your goals such as a dance class or a writing course.
Read more: Need to Get Stuff Done? Here’s a Nice Little Game to Play with Yourself
10. Get an accountability partner
Do you find it hard to exercise, budget, or reach your weekly goals? Engage a friend, a spouse, or a relative to hold you accountable. Meet up once a week to discuss your expectations vs. what you achieved. Give an honest account. When someone checks up on us, we are inclined to make more conscious, better choices.
Final Thoughts
What affects our willpower? Our energy, posture, scenery, our clothes, and urgency all affect willpower. For temptations and bad habits, redirect and remove them. Learn to work with not against your willpower. The less of it you have to use, the more you can rely on willpower when you need it.
