We all have that list lying around, tormenting us from time to time. The dreaded to-do list. I know mine seems to haunt me on a daily basis. I keep telling myself I do not have time to get everything done that I have on the list. Yet, ironically, I have the same twenty-four hours in my day, just the same as everyone else in the world. It comes down to priorities and simple want to. I either want to get those things accomplished, or I do not, there is no in between. Generally, I give in to the do not want to, and opt to be lazy instead. But what is being lazy really saying about the things I need to get completed?
Tony Robbins, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, says that, “People are not lazy, they simply have impotent goals- that is, goals that do not inspire them.” Therefore, you must look at the root cause of being lazy. See beyond the task itself and focus on the end result. What am I trying to accomplish by completing the tasks on the list? There has to be a motive present to persuade every action taken. Maybe the end result is a clean house, a book report completed before the deadline, or maybe it is feeling more confident in a bathing suit at the beach this summer. Whatever the motive is, there then needs to be a call to action.
In the book “The 5 Second Rule,” Mel Robbins talks about how in as little as five seconds, we can talk ourselves out of important, and often, life changing decisions. Decisions to act- speaking up in a staff meeting at work with a great idea you have, approaching that person that you have been admiring for some time but have been afraid to talk to, or signing up for classes to pursue your dream career. Regardless of the desired result, if you talk yourself out of taking that first step, the opportunity is lost. And sometimes, those opportunities, do not come back around. Therefore, there must be a shift in the mindset. As the saying goes, change your stinking thinking! you have to take the “what-ifs” and the “maybes” out of the equation, and just go for it. Or, as Mel puts it, “The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will stop you. 5 4 3 2 1 Go!”
When you have stuff to get done, you need to evaluate the reason why it it needs to be done, and prioritize those reasons. If you have things on your to-do list that will improve your quality of life, such as furthering your education or work goals, those things are important. Daily tasks, such as cleaning the kitchen or buying groceries are important as well. However, organizing all the shoes and color coordinating your closet, may be something that can be put on the back burner. Unless, you really want to have organized shoes this weekend. The idea is knowing what has to be done, what needs to be done, and what you just want to do, and then developing a plan to tackle them all. Jen Sincero wrote an amazing little book called, “You are a Badass- How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living An Awesome Life” in which she details hilarious and inspiring ways to change your habits and thinking to create the life you want. One thing Jen says is, “In order to kick ass, you must first lift up your foot.” That is it! You just have to get up, and get shit done.
Tom Bilyeu says it best, “No one can give you heart. No one can give you discipline. No one can make you unstoppable. Those are things you must decide for yourself. But make no mistake, it’s a decision. It’s not a genetic gift. It’s a mindset.” No one can make you do the things that you need to do, and no one can set the scale on how you prioritize those things. The call to action comes from within you. The decision to hit the snooze or get out of bed; the decision to speak up at the meeting, or sit by quietly; the decision to submit an “A” quality term paper or turn in the minimum required- those decisions come from within you. And only you have the power to make them. Successful people are not lazy. So, if you desire to have success in any aspect of your life, whether it’s being a perfect housewife, an honors student, or promote up the ladder of success within your job, you have to do the things that are required. Being lazy will not get you your dream life. So, get up, and get shit done!
Life, on purpose! 