We all, to greater or lesser extent, sometimes find it difficult to motivate ourselves to do something. People who have depression or carry a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may find starting and finishing tasks harder than others. For all of us, there are three powerful emotions (maybe more!) that can help you get tasks done. And you get to feel them as soon as you’ve accomplished what you set out to do.

The first one is relief. Whether the toilets need cleaning, the car is past due for an oil change, or it’s time for your yearly dental check up, I guarantee you’ll feel better when you’ve finished the task. When you’ve done what you wanted, instead of badgering yourself for not having done it sooner or better or still feeling overwhelmed by the other chores you “need” to do, immediately let the relief flow through you. Think: “I did it, it’s done” over and over and you may even experience a bit of a high. No matter how big or small the task, focus on the physical feeling of relief flooding through you.

The second emotion is peace of mind. Enjoy taking a deep breath, smiling and thinking, “Well, that’s done. No more worrying about that.” Don’t, as many people do, miss that aspect of completing a task. It’s the cherry on top of the sundae, the icing on the cake, and you don’t want to lose out on the pleasure. Sure, there may be other things to do, but you want to remember that you also accomplished something you hoped and wanted to do. Let your mind enjoy the peace of that, if only for a few minutes.

You might guess the final emotion if you know my approach to living your best life. It’s experiencing pride. Not the idea that someone will now get off your back because of what you did or that you’ll finally get the approval or praise you’ve been looking for from your boss or mom or teacher. Pride is totally internal. It’s all yours. It’s doesn’t come from the past or the future, but from the moment you complete a task. It’s feeling good not only about having done it but about yourself for having accomplished something. 

Pride is the most amazing feeling. It makes you a winner in your own eyes. It enables you to look at yourself through a lens of esteem. I can’t say this often enough: It doesn’t matter how many months (or years) you put off the task or that you didn’t do a perfect job. Pride comes from having an intention that you followed through with. It says you’re a person of your word and will do what’s best for yourself. It builds up every time you follow through on your intentions until you’re actually spending a lot of moments in your life feeling it. 

So, remember to look for relief, peace of mind, and pride when you get something done.

Best,

Karen