📝 Why Your To-Do List Is a Trap
💪 The Surprising Strength of Pride
🌞 Sol Bites: Ditch the Dread, Start with Pride
🧠 Words of Wisdom
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Why Your To-Do List Is a Trap
At some point, you probably glanced at one of your to-do lists and dreaded doing the one thing you know is the most important task. Maybe you've tried "eating the frog" (starting with the most unpleasant task) or dipping your toes in the water with small wins. But come on—sometimes, neither works. You find yourself drained rather than energized.
What if the problem is not your tasks. but the way you're wired to feel about them?
The Surprising Strength of Pride
A lot of people think of pride as arrogance or showing off, but there’s also a good kind of pride. You can recognize it as the warm sensation you feel when you get something significant done. That sensation is rocket fuel for action, and we're leaving most of it on the table.
When you get something done that you can be proud of, it feels like a shot of dopamine to your brain. You're not just marking a box off—you're charged to do the next thing. And the next thing after that.
Sol Bites: Ditch the Dread, Start with Pride
Instead of starting with the worst task (ugh, editing that paper) or the easiest one (checking email), pick the task that will make you feel like a champion. For me, it's writing a new essay—like this one. It's hard, but when I'm done, I feel like I've climbed the mountain. That high carries me through the rest of my day, even the boring tasks.
Try this tomorrow:
1. Glance over your list of things to do.
2. Ask yourself: Which thing, when it's finished, will make me most proud?
3. Begin there.
Why It Works
Pride isn’t just a feel-good moment—it’s a powerful motivator. Research shows positive emotions like pride boost focus and resilience (think of it as your brain’s version of a power-up). By prioritizing tasks that spark pride, you’re not just getting stuff done—you’re building momentum that lasts all day.
Your Turn
What's one thing on your to-do list that would make you proud to complete? Reply and let me know—I'm interested! (And, as a bonus, I'll give you a speedy tip that will make it that much simpler.)
Tip: Use the "Pomodoro Technique" by doing a 25-minute sprint of work followed by 5-minute breaks to boost concentration and build some pride.
OR
Tip: Boost your productivity by pairing a low-energy (taking a shower) or repetitive "shadow task" (folding laundry) with a creative, high-focus task (rehearsing a speech) to keep your body occupied and the creative task feels less daunting.
Work smarter by listening to your emotions.
Words of Wisdom
Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.
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