How to make yourself work?

On Monday morning, a week before the New Year, I think this issue is relevant for many.

There are a bunch of articles on this topic. Here are some basic tips:

• Start with the hardest challenge
• Take the first step - it will be easier to continue
• Make a plan and strictly follow it
• Do what you love
• Do not be distructed

Everything is simple. Close Habr and get to work!

Only for some reason all these tips do not work for me. It seems that people say the right things, but it doesn’t work. By the way, on the topic “Why can't I get myself to work?” also have articles. They describe the problem from the point of view of psychology and propose solutions such as "get rid of internal contradictions and fear of failure." Probably, if you do this, then everything will work out, but where to find this magic button "Get rid of ..."?

Before you begin to solve a problem, you need to understand its causes . This is what we will do now. I must say right away that I can’t offer any general recipe, since everyone will have their own reasons for the problem. I will demonstrate only the method of its solution.

In my opinion, the problem considered in this article can be divided into two:

1. I don’t want to do a specific task
2. I do not want to work at all

Moreover, the “Do not want to work at all” condition often arises due to the fact that there are too many tasks that I don’t want to do. There are other options - do not like the work itself or just tired - but everything seems to be clear: change your job or get enough sleep. Therefore, in further considerations, we will assume that the work is generally pleasant, the state of health is normal, and it is impossible to work precisely because of some “wrong” tasks.

To begin with, we’ll make a list of tasks that need to be done right now, but instead I write an article, read Habr, watch videos, chat with friends, play, drink coffee or smoke (underline what you need). Made up? Good. Now, for each task, we ask ourselves the question “Why am I not doing it?” The answers in the style of "I do not want / can not" supplement to "I do not want / can not, because... ". If at the same time it is possible to realize some common reasons for not doing all the recorded tasks, we fix them too. As a result, we get a list of problems that are significant for you, leading to a breakaway from work. I got this like this:

1. The task is too simple . In the mind, it is thought over in a matter of seconds and is perceived as already solved, so it becomes really not at all interesting to carry it out after that.
2. The task is too complicated . It would seem that this paragraph contradicts the previous one, but if you paint in more detail, it will become clear that there is no contradiction. I do not like tasks of the same type with a well-known solution algorithm - I need space for creativity. However, if a task is so out of touch with the usual framework that I have no idea which way to approach it, then this kills any desire to experiment.
3. The task is important, but not urgent , therefore, it is constantly pushed back by others - not so important, but more urgent. In this case, as a rule, they recommend delegating all these unimportant tasks to an employee for whom they will be important enough - but what if there is nobody to delegate?
4. The solution to the problem can clearly be automated , but now it has to be done manually . This situation arises when you do what you have already done for the second, fifth, tenth time, you see a pattern and understand that it can be easily programmed so that everything is done on its own. At the same time, I don’t feel like rushing to program right now, because see point 1.
5. To solve the problem requires access to the real world with all the ensuing consequences. For example, send the client original documents by Russian Post. This and the previous paragraph, perhaps, are a consequence of the professional deformation of the IT specialist, but the fact remains that such problems interfere with the solution of some problems, and we must somehow deal with this.
6. There is no external stimulus. There are no clear deadlines. Or there is, but a few more days before the deadline, and work there for five minutes - at least, it seems now. No one needs to report on the completion of the task, because the boss trusts you and everyone doesn’t monitor you, or you’re the boss yourself.
7. You need to immerse yourself in the task completely and for a long time - I am afraid that I can get carried away and lose control of other current tasks.
8. The task is contrary to internal beliefs . For example, it’s hard for me to remind people that they owe me something, but I have to do it periodically.
9. I briefly switch to reading mail or various useful articles on Habré - and for an hour the work rises.
10. There are too many tasks . It is impossible to single out one or two of the most important and urgent ones. There is a feeling of "still not having time to do anything" and there is an automatic switch to a more pleasant pastime.

Here, as many as 10 reasons could be identified. You can continue this fascinating lesson and find 10 more, smaller ones, but let's better deal with these. Let’s go the same way.

1. After compiling such an impressive list of problems, it becomes clear that tasks that are too simple are just a gift. They are solved quickly and easily - perhaps you will spend less time solving several such problems than reading this article and compiling your list. And finding interest in them is now also easy - since we started to rake up the rubble of accumulated cases, then we want the number of tasks hanging over us to be reduced, and making it easier with small steps. By the way, the problem number 10 as a result will not be so acute.
2. With too complicatedtasks will be harder. The main thing here is to understand that if there is a problem, then it will still have to be solved anyway (it is unlikely that it will resolve itself). Therefore, we must close our eyes and take the first step (somewhere we have already been advised of this, yes). Take a simple example. It is necessary to make a presentation for speaking at the conference, but there is no such experience. My head seems to have thoughts (the topic is familiar, otherwise we would not have been instructed to speak), but how to make a presentation is not clear. You can sit and feel sorry for yourself. And you can open PowerPoint and make the first slide - with the topic and name of the speaker. And at the end, make a “Thank you for your attention” slide with contact details. Here, already something. At this stage, the main thing is not to get involved in the elaboration of details - the selection of fonts, etc. - because you need to move on. And then we start to think what we will talk about - and for each thesis we make a separate slide with a title. Then it becomes clear that somewhere you need pictures, diagrams, animation ... As a result, you yourself will not notice how the presentation will be ready. Of course, you can argue that there is nothing complicated in making a presentation, but <my task> is really complicated. Nevertheless, try this approach - for sure the business will move off the ground, and there it will already be a shame not to finish it.
3. We pass to the important, but not urgent task. First, let's determine why it is, in fact, important. Perhaps some tasks only seem important, and at this stage they are safely eliminated - i.e. it will become clear that they can not be pushed back constantly, but canceled completely. It really happens. If, nevertheless, the task turned out to be important, then we need to understand what its successful completion will affect. You may be able to release a new version of the product and your users will be happy. Or you can do another task - interesting and enjoyable. This in itself encourages finally to end what is hindering such a bright future, plus some timelines may appear - for example, a new version is planned to be released before the new year, which means that the task has a very visible deadline.
4. In the case when a task that can be automated has to be performed manually , I think that it remains only to come to terms with the imperfection of the world - not everything always turns out the way you want. You must do this task manually. And then another one. And when it becomes unbearable, then still take and automate it. That's all.
5. Going out into the real world is actually even beneficial. After that, it becomes clear that these tasks are not so complex in paragraph 2. You can perceive this as an additional motivation for solving familiar tasks.
6. If the task does not have an external stimulus , you can come up with it yourself. Come up with a challenge for yourself. For example, to tell colleagues that you are ready to do this very task in N hours (the deadline should be real, but not allowing you to be lazy). And go ahead!
7. If you have already dealt with all the previous tasks, then there is nothing wrong with completely immersing yourself in some task . Surrender to an exciting and exciting undertaking - you deserve it.
8. Changing beliefs for the sake of one task that contradicts them is certainly not worth it. But courageously solve it and take pride in overcoming this complexity - what is not an option? However, here it is necessary to approach the issue more subtly - if the contradiction is very strong or there are a lot of such tasks, then it might be better not to break yourself, but to think about changing the type of activity.
9. Switching for a while is not only possible, but also necessary. But it’s better to switch to something noticeable to the authorities - for example, drink tea or go out for a smoke for a walk. Firstly, this way you will relax better, and secondly, the same external stimulus is added - you are unlikely to be allowed to drink tea for an hour.
10. Too many tasks? Not anymore! Moving in small steps, at this point you will already solve most of the problems, so that the latter will disappear by itself.

Something like that. Good luck in your work and with the upcoming!