let me just add that the time limit there is key. Because part of the problem for me is that I start thinking about ALL the stuff I have to do, and how what if this or that doesn't work OUT, and blah blah, and I just get overwhelmed, and avoid it by not starting.
The point is to get a start, so you promise yourself: fifteen minutes. or ten. whatever. set a timer. when it rings, you are off the hook. But I find that usually, after the ten minutes, I'm fine.
[note: the timer technique works really well for a lot of things, including, making yourself exercise, or cleaning the kitchen. You'd be surprised by what you can get done in five minutes, and then it's usually just a few more to clean the counters or whatever, and it's clean! It's all part of the self-help book I want to write someday called "Success through Crappy Goal Setting"]
Oh, also, a little anxiety exercise that I picked up, which I've found does help, a little, just because it forces you to focus, a little, and calm your ass down:
Name five things you can see, five things you can hear, and five things you can feel inside your body. Then four, then three, and so on to one. You can repeat things, and I usually have to cheat a little on the 'things you can hear bit' but. It takes about five minutes, and it's not a crazy miracle, but it helps.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-14 07:19 pm (UTC)The point is to get a start, so you promise yourself: fifteen minutes. or ten. whatever. set a timer. when it rings, you are off the hook. But I find that usually, after the ten minutes, I'm fine.
[note: the timer technique works really well for a lot of things, including, making yourself exercise, or cleaning the kitchen. You'd be surprised by what you can get done in five minutes, and then it's usually just a few more to clean the counters or whatever, and it's clean! It's all part of the self-help book I want to write someday called "Success through Crappy Goal Setting"]
Oh, also, a little anxiety exercise that I picked up, which I've found does help, a little, just because it forces you to focus, a little, and calm your ass down:
Name five things you can see, five things you can hear, and five things you can feel inside your body. Then four, then three, and so on to one. You can repeat things, and I usually have to cheat a little on the 'things you can hear bit' but. It takes about five minutes, and it's not a crazy miracle, but it helps.