Habits To Do What You Don't Want

We all have things that we need to do but don’t want to. No one actually loves doing all chores. Some we don’t mind and others can give us space to let our minds wander. We don’t always enjoy doing things for others but want to be helpful. Not everyone loves their job. Most have parts that they don’t like. So there are ways you can make it easier to do.

Build onto already established habits

I’ve talked a lot about habit stacking before. You just add a task to a habit you already have. Most people brushed their teeth after (or before) they take a shower. Then after brushing they floss. At night when I would brush my teeth I slowly added more to my routine. Face cleanser, serum, and sometimes a face mask. Then add in light stretching. It works best in that it can be done in the same area, with the same things around you, or are tasks that complement each other.

Make it so you think about it less

I have a habit of doing dishes and unloading the dishwasher while I am cooking dinner. I do not like doing dishes, but I actually like cooking. So in the space in the prepping and actual cooking, I just do what I can in that time. Since it always happens I have to think about it less. I finish stirring the pasta and then automatically put the silverware away. Less thinking means less resistance.

Break it down into steps and do them separately

Many things do not have to be done all at once. A friend’s therapist talk her that if she hated doing dishes to just put away one plate. A lot of the time you do not just do the one. You realize the first thing wasn’t hard so you do another. But if you do not do more or finish putting them away then you do not put guilt on yourself. For actual bigger things, you do not get overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. Just looking at everything it takes to podcast is overwhelming. The outlining, recording, editing, writing or blog posts and social media, creating graphics, and a dozen other things.

Make the reward equal in time and effort

For some things, we will need a reward to actually do. Like for studying you let yourself watch your favorite show after an hour. Or if you exercise for a month you get yourself a fitness watch. But you don’t get the watch after only two workouts. You think it will motivate you to already have it, but it can be a distraction. Plus you don’t even know what kind of workouts you will find the easiest. Don’t write the intro for your paper then take a week's vacation.