Unlocking Strategies for Managing Everyday Challenges

Bobbi: 0:00

Hi everyone. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a seemingly straightforward task feels as challenging as climbing a mountain? Well, you are not alone. Many of us experience moments when the simplest of tasks appear insurmountable. For instance, we recently purchased an outdoor patio furniture from a neighbour. One of the cushions was damaged and I also wanted a different colour cushion to match our current patio decor, so I made the decision to order new covers. Now you'd think this would be a pretty simple task, right? Well, that's wrong. The idea of getting the measurements just right for the online order was so overwhelming and it took me about a week to complete that first step. I didn't want to buy four cushion sets and not have the measurements correct, so I ordered just one set, and that set came about 10 days later and, unfortunately, were too big. I had lost trust in my ability to complete this task, and it's now taken another two weeks for me to get the guts to go and measure just how too big the current one is. But the good news is that I'm adjusting the order today. But I wanted to talk about procrastination, as I'm sure it happens to a lot of us, especially for tasks that one would not think are that challenging. Procrastination can be bewildering, but it stems from our psychological makeup, our habits and our general life experience. One reason why simple tasks seem so challenging is our perception of how difficult the task actually is. Even the most basic tasks can appear daunting, like ordering cushion covers, when we overanalyze or imagine them as a complex puzzle. This perception often arises from our desire for perfection. Hands up, who's a perfectionist? Wow, that is a lot of hands. We often fear making mistakes or not doing something perfectly, and that does cause us to then hesitate. Linked closely to the perception that something is too difficult is the fear of failure. We often set high standards for ourselves and fear falling short of them. When we view a task as simple, we might assume we should complete it effortlessly, leading to placing pressure on ourselves. This fear of failing to meet our own expectations can make the task seem greater than it actually is. In our busy lives, we juggle numerous responsibilities and priorities. When simple tasks compete for our attention with more pressing matters, they can appear overwhelming simply because they get lost in the chaos. Our brains prioritize urgent matters, leaving less critical tasks idle. Motivation often plays a big role in how we view our tasks at hand, simple tasks may lack the excitement and challenge that make other tasks engaging. Now, this is me. Every single day, I feel like I am a squirrel who goes after the fun, shiny, sparkling objects. Is anyone else like this? However, without a strong motivator, our minds resist tackling these tasks, making them seem way more difficult than they are when they are just not exciting enough to warrant our attention. Right now, the human brain does have a limit for making decisions. When we are bombarded with choices throughout the day, even a straightforward activity like measuring those darn cushion covers can feel too great to tackle because it requires one more decision in an already weary mind. Sometimes we neglect simple tasks because we haven't properly prioritized them. We tend to focus on those bigger goals and big projects, and the smaller tasks get relegated to the bottom of our to-do list. As a result, they build up and create a mental block. So that's all well and good, but what do we do when we are feeling overwhelmed in this way? Well, this requires a shift in mindset and habits, and I'll share some with you now. Challenge the idea that a task is too complex. Break it down into smaller steps, making it more manageable. Accept that not everything needs to be perfect. Do I hear some gasps from our listeners? But, jokes aside, allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. Prioritise tasks according to importance, not just urgency, and allocate dedicated time for them. Find a reason to complete the task, whether it's your own personal growth, a reward for yourself or simply for a sense of accomplishment. Complete simple tasks immediately to prevent them from building up and becoming overwhelming, and, if possible, delegate tasks or ask for help when needed. That feeling that simple tasks are insurmountable is a common challenge for us, but it can be overcome with self-awareness, a shift in mindset and effective time management. By looking at the underlying causes and taking proactive steps, you can regain control and tackle even the simplest tasks with more confidence and ease. Now I'm off to put that amended push and order in. Have a great day, everyone.