I’ll just…

Sometimes it seems like there are too many things to do. A list so full that it’s hard to know where to begin. In the face of this overwhelmingly load, we often freeze. Unable to see a way through or even the place to start.

• The bills need paying
• Clients are chasing for assignments to be finished
• The shopping needs to be done
• The kids need new clothes
• The house is a mess
• You need to go to the gym
• Several major DIY projects stand int he way of the house not being a mess
• Invoices need to be paid before the DIY projects can start

If you add to this a fragile mental state (understandable in today’s world) then it’s no wonder hiding under the duvet seems preferable to tackling all of that. Once these spiraling thoughts start, they gather a huge momentum really rather quickly. Momentum is a powerful force.

Someone reminded me of a little trick recently. A tip that genuinely helps in situations like this.

Say “I’ll just…”

Say “I’ll just…” and choose the tiniest action towards one of the things that’s stacking up and bothering you.

• I’ll just…write the first paragraph
• I’ll just…put my gym kit on
• I’ll just…pay one bill
• I’ll just…get out of bed

It doesn’t matter how small the thing is that you choose. That you chose something when you were swamped and did it is the true victory. No one knows anyone else’s battles and we shouldn’t judge how much of an achievement a small action can be.

“I’ll just…” is the beginning of mindfulness in action. Just as a mindfulness practice helps to bring our thoughts back into the moment, saying “I’ll just…” does so with our to-do lists. The smallest action towards even one of our tasks helps us to feel like we’re achieving something. No matter how small.

So we take that tiny step.

And having overcome the inertia of overwhelm, it’s surprising how often we do much more than originally planned. Inertia is like the effort made by a tiny seed germinating and sending up the smallest shoot. Almost insignificant, but the only way much larger plants are able to grow.

Suddenly the books are balanced, the assignment completed, one room is tidied – momentum, rather than inertia becomes the dominant force. And as I said, momentum (once established) is a very powerful thing. Make it work for you.

But even if it’s only the first tiny step which gets done, that’s OK. You achieved something and some days this is enough. Celebrate like it’s the biggest victory anyway. Anchor your positive feeling for the next time.

Because with a victory to look back on, the next time might be easier.

Or, life being what it is, some days it might not.

And that’s still OK because even on the worst days you’ll always have “I’ll just…”

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash