All Psyched Up: Can’t get things done

By Linda Hancock on November 16, 2024.

So often I hear individuals who are in a state of overwhelm tell me that they just can’t get things done.

Lately I have been thinking about the reasons that this occurs:

1. Lack of focus – When you don’t have a specific goal and timeline to accomplish it, life can distract you. It is like being in a batting cage, thinking that your only task is to hit the next ball that comes to you. You don’t choose the ball, and the world does the throwing without considering your needs or wants.

2. Disorganization – My high school home economics teacher repeatedly stated, “Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place”. If you are wasting time and increasing frustration because you don’t know where things are, you will quickly get disillusioned.

3. Goals that are too large – One day I said to my eldest grandson “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” He replied, “But I wanted it to be.” When you are facing a huge task, it is important to break it down into small, achievable pieces. Converting all your photo albums to digital might take days but doing one album at a time makes it possible. Also, you might need to examine the deadline that you have set for a project – it might cause too much stress but could be moved.

4. Procrastination – Avoiding tasks can cause so many problems. When you pile up paperwork without a system or neglect taking care of issues, you will quickly find that the things which would have taken a few minutes to complete now consume hours filled with worry and upset. Procrastination causes overwhelm and overwhelm leads to even more procrastination.

5. Blame – I often recommend that people pretend that they live alone. Because I have done this for years, I know who made the mess and who is responsible for cleaning it up. Setting up job lists and expecting other people to do things the way you want them in your expected timeline can lead to periods of frustration and blame. Perhaps the other person didn’t buy into your plan to start with or just agreed to it to keep you quiet!

6. Resentment – The person who does the most can be upset when others aren’t doing what they believe is a fair share. Interestingly, the person who is doing the most is the one who has ideas about everything that they believe has to be done. Their standards can be higher than those around them who are satisfied living without the project being done or doing it on a longer timeline. If you think that you are doing “everything” think again. Are you the problem? Maybe you are creating problems for yourself (and everyone around you). Chillax.

7. Addictions – Is there something that is preventing you from moving forward? Are you so captured by substances, hobbies, gambling or the internet that your time and finances are limited when it comes to your responsibilities? Consider making a chart that records where you are spending your time for the next week and then think about making some adjustments.

8. Self-image – Perhaps you are too hard on yourself and think that you don’t have the skills, knowledge or confidence to do things that you think “should” be done. That is merely a state of mind which positive action can usually defeat. Take a course, ask a friend for help or do some computer research. Learn, do, and watch your self-image rise.

9. Priorities – Make a list of things that you want to do. Mark the one that you think is most important with the letter A. Then mark B beside your second most important task. Everything else is C. Put all of your time and effort into A. Once it is done, the B becomes an A and you can choose a C item to move up. One item at a time leads to success!

10. Excessive planning – Sometimes, when I am writing an article or a book, I need to remind myself that I don’t have to know everything to get the job done. Taking another course, reading another book, or interviewing another person will not necessarily bring better results to my work. In fact, it might muddy the waters and delay completion!

There are likely other reasons why you find it difficult to get things done but they are unique to you. Are you just too tired because you aren’t getting enough sleep? Is your volunteer work taking up more time than you hoped? Are there people in your life that expect you to listen to them or do things for them that they should be doing for themselves?

This week, do some serious thinking with pen and paper so that you can identify the factors that are interfering with your ability to function at the level you desire.

Change and healing always start with awareness. Face the reality of your life situation and be aware of the things that are blocking progress. Then you will be able to deal with them appropriately.

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com

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