A Confused Mind Says NO

If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a dozen lists on the go at any one time. In fact, I’ve got a whole book of lists (that I literally call my “Book of Lists”) that contains anything from old camping equipment packing lists to lists of tasks that I want to achieve by certain dates.

As a working Mum, most of my lists do tend to be task-orientated or “to-do” lists and I’ve recently been exploring why some of the tasks seem to get ticked off fairly quickly, and some seem to linger at the bottom of the list for eternity.

I am highly motivated by crossing tasks off lists and have even been guilty of adding a task that I have just completed to the list just so I can cross it off (I’m sure I’m not the only person that does that)! So, I really wanted to delve a little more into what was holding up completion of those seemingly simple tasks that just never seem to get ticked off.

Do you know what I found was common to all of these tasks?

The fact that I didn’t have a clear picture of the next step.

I’ll repeat that, I didn’t have clarity around that next, or first, step and because I couldn’t visualise that step, my mind turned to “white noise” mode. Why? Because a confused mind says no! Every time. Have you ever been in the scenario, where you’ve procrastinated about something for ages, and when you finally do the thing, you realise it was such a small task and wonder why it took you so long? Well, this is why. A confused mind always says no.

So what’s the best way to break through this confusion?

1. Identify the task that needs to completed

2. Write down the first 3 steps to getting the task underway (keep these steps super simple)

3. Put a time frame around completing the first step. Then keep up the momentum!

Sounds too simple? There is no trick here, it actually IS that simple.

• Have you been putting off getting or reviewing your personal risk insurance? Is this because you don’t know where to start? (tip: just contact me, I can help with this!)

• Have you been procrastinating about updating your will? Is this because you are unsure of the cost?

• Are you struggling with getting your head around Kiwisaver or other investments? What’s one thing you can do today to progress this?

I was just speaking with a friend that had been meaning to sort out moving an Australian super fund to New Zealand but was unsure how to go about doing this and the tax implications. It’s been on her to-do list for a long term without making any progress. The first step here might be emailing the fund provider to ask them the process and tax implications. One simple email that could take 2-3 minutes. That first important step is often very simple.

Write down 3 tasks that you have been putting off and work through the steps above. Every time you complete one of these tasks, you are freeing up a whole lot of mental space, just like decluttering your house! Clarity is key. You can do this.

Kim xxx