I avoided this post.

I put off uncomfortable tasks. There is a part of my brain that, for reasons unknown to me, figures it’s better to sweat and worry and twist about it for a few days. I don’t want to face that email, that text, that paperwork, so I just pretend it doesn’t exist–or more often–busy myself with something else that definitely isn’t as important. As you can predict, once I actually tackle the task, it’s never as bad as it seems and I feel much better. I’ve ruined a day or two of my life with anxiety over literal minutes of discomfort.

Lately, I’ve made a conscious effort to “eat the frog” as they say and jump on top of these things before the dread sets in. Here is what I have learned:

I feel lighter.

Carrying the emotional weight of impending doom is a bummer. The worry does nothing to lessen the impact of the eventual doing, and absolutely hangs a dark cloud over everything you do in the meantime.

I sleep better.

No tossing and turning, playing out potential conversations and outcomes. Just sweet, sweet dreams of me and Henry Cavill romping through a field of daisies (sometimes we have corgis too).

Goodbye, guilt.

You know that feeling you get when you sit down to watch TV or read a book or do whatever relaxing thing you like to do? The one where that little voice in the back of your head yells at you about all the things you are NOT doing and what a schmuck you are for daring to relax? Gone.

Anxiety, fear of consequences, lack of goals…whatever it is that prevents you from facing things head on, I encourage you today to take back control of your brain and commit to changing that bad habit. Your mental health deserves the extra effort.

What task have you been putting off? Cleaning out a closet? Scheduling a dentist appointment? A hard conversation with a friend? Let us know in the comments!

#procrastination #avoidance #difficult #guilt #relax #frog #consequences #corgi #today #free #smallbusiness #entrepreneur