That email you haven't answered. The appointment you haven't booked. The pile of paperwork that has quietly become part of the furniture.
We all put things off. Sometimes a job looks too big. Sometimes we don't know where to start. And sometimes we'd simply rather clean the oven than make that phone call.
Unfortunately, putting something off rarely makes it disappear. It just gives it more time to sit at the back of your mind, being annoying.
The good news? You don't have to finish the whole job today. You can start by making it a little easier to start.
What's getting in the way?
Before telling yourself off, ask what's making this particular job difficult. Do you know what needs doing? Are you worried about getting it wrong? Does it involve an awkward conversation? Or are you trying to squeeze it into a day that's already full?
Different obstacles need different answers. More determination won't find a missing document. A longer to-do list won't tell you what to say in a difficult email.
Try finishing this sentence: "I would find it easier to start if…" The answer might give you a useful first step.
Make the first step smaller
"Sort out the insurance" sounds like an afternoon of forms, phone calls and wishing you'd never started. "Find the policy number" sounds rather more manageable.
Break the job into actions you can actually picture yourself doing. Open the letter. Find the phone number. Put the documents in one place. Write the first sentence.
If your first step still feels too big, make it smaller again. You're allowed. Nobody is marking you on how impressive your to-do list looks.
Give it ten minutes
Choose a short stretch of time and one specific task. Set a timer if that helps, put your phone out of reach and give the job your attention.
For those ten minutes, you only need to work on that one step. You don't have to finish the whole project or catch up on everything else you've been avoiding.
When the time is up, you can stop. If you want to carry on, fine. If not, write down the next step so you know where to begin next time.
And if ten minutes feels too much today, try five.
Let the first attempt be a bit rough
An important email can sit unwritten for days while you search for the perfect opening. Try writing a version you're not going to send yet.
Get the main points down. Make a rough list. Leave a gap where you need to check something. Then come back and tidy it up.
For jobs where accuracy matters, keep the checking stage. Starting with a rough draft doesn't mean sending it unchecked. It means giving yourself something to improve instead of staring at a blank page.
Make starting more convenient
A little preparation can remove a surprising amount of fuss. Put the paperwork and a pen together. Have the details you need ready before making the call. Leave yourself a note saying exactly what comes next.
Choose a time that suits the job, too. If you need to call an office, check its opening hours. If you need peace and quiet, look for a realistic gap rather than hoping one will magically appear.
You don't need the perfect desk, a new notebook or an elaborate productivity system. They're lovely, but buying them can become another way of putting off the actual job.
Ask someone to lend a hand
Sometimes it helps to have someone sit with you while you get started. They could help you sort the paperwork, listen while you practise a phone call or simply keep you company.
Be specific about what you need. "Could you sit with me for twenty minutes while I open these letters?" gives someone a clearer way to help than "My life is a mess".
If the job needs knowledge you don't have, ask someone who does. Finding the right help is progress, too.
What if everything feels difficult?
An awkward job is one thing. Regularly struggling to manage everyday tasks is another, especially if it's affecting your home life, work or relationships.
You don't have to work out the reason on your own. Talk to someone you trust. If you're concerned about how you're feeling or coping, consider speaking with your GP or another qualified professional.
You don't need to wait until you've got a neat explanation before asking for help.
Pick one thing for today
What's one thing you've been putting off – and what's the smallest step you could take today?
Choose the step, decide when you'll do it and have what you need ready. When you've done it, give yourself credit. You have moved something forward, even if there's more to do.
That pile of paperwork didn't appear in a day. You don't have to defeat it in one, either.
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