Have you ever found yourself totally immersed in something? We all know the feeling. You set aside a small amount of time to complete a task and find yourself working on it several hours or days later. Something about that task keeps you there. But what?
My most recent experience with this was painting my unborn son?s nursery. Let me start by saying I hate painting (at least when I have to stay inside the lines). Such a tedious and thankless task. But I knew those lilac walls?wouldn?t?paint themselves so I begrudgingly purchased the supplies and prepped my work space. I never had any intention of finishing this project in one day. Between you and me, I secretly planned to fake fatigue in hopes that my husband would complete the task for me. After all, a woman in my condition?shouldn?t?be subject to paint fumes. And?isn?t?the step-ladder a fall hazard? Clearly, I have a disadvantage. There?s no way I can complete this task. Maybe I?shouldn?t?even start.
?I have to try,? I told myself. Because like any expectant mother, I was anxious to get the house ready for baby. I have nothing to lose by trying. The worst that could happen is I don?t finish. So off I went.
That?s when it happened.
I?hadn?t?been painting long when I stepped back to view my progress and thought, ?Look how far?I?ve?come in such a short time. Maybe I CAN do this!? Suddenly, I was motivated. Cautiously motivated, but motivated. I knew better than to get my hopes up. I?m only 4 weeks shy of my due date and my skill level around this particular task is low. But my progress was impressive and I couldn?t abandon it now. Challenge accepted.?
Then reality set in. I was up against a deadline and the paint job isn?t even halfway finished! I had plans with friends later in the evening and I needed to give myself plenty of time to clean up. With the clock counting down, it was either step up my game or quit for the day. But I was already here with my tools by my side. No sense quitting now. Motivation amplified.?
As my deadline approached, the bargaining cycle began: ?Just 10 more minutes and I won?t wash my hair. Just 20 more minutes and I?ll pay to use the parking garage. They won?t mind if I?m just a few minutes late, will they?? Let me rephrase: I was blowing off an activity which I love for the sake of completing a task which I hate. The rest is mostly a blur. I?m not sure how I did it, but I finished painting the nursery in about 9 hours. Mission accomplished.
As a Motivation Professional, what did I learn from this experience?
1. Even though I was skeptical in the beginning, focusing mostly on my disadvantages, viewing my progress invoked an overwhelming desire to continue toward my goal.
2. I became less likely to abandon my project when my tools were in sight and within reach.
3. The deadline created suspense and mitigated procrastination.
What types of activities have you found yourself immersed in lately?
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