How to Find Motivation for the Things You Hate Doing

Hmm. Your first tip is so counterintuitive, it just might work! I love your second tip. It reminds me of “whistle while you work.” Your third and last tips are solid.

I just had to laugh when your photo example of chores we hate to get done was dishes. I did them for a family of six since starting from when I was 6 years old till I was at least 16, when my younger sisters finally started helping out with that awful chore. I thought I’d never get over hating doing the dishes. But, then I realized how efficient and immaculate I got at that task after all those years of practice, and now I take pride in it and enjoy it. ; )

Thanks for this article.

Procrastination becomes a problem when you are procrastinating on projects that are important. Projects that are not important should be delayed or outsourced. The key is using the motivation tips you offer to get away from procrastinating on these important tasks.

If tasks are both important and unpleasant then moving through them quickly is key.

Other ideas to beat this kind of procrastination:
1. Provide a small reward for yourself when you finish.
2. Do it first off in the morning before you move on to more pleasant tasks.

I’d do the best while having fun along the way. No point harming morale with nasty words or tones, especially to teammates or colleagues.

This is a very interesting subject cos it really is a major challenge in everyones life at some point ore another.
If you don’t find a way to deal and go about these things either consciously or subconsciously (I know plenty of people who made their way through these problems/challenges as if nothing and totally without considering it for a moment even…natural born , you are more or less heading for failure and disaster.
So it is something that should be thought in school (maybe in stead of all the stupid religious garbage they feed our kids).

Personally I use the two last advices the most. I delegate or sometimes( lately) I have had great success with swapping jobs with people.
For instance I have swapped a lot of jobs with a woman who lives right down the road (lonely mother with two boys 8 and 5 years old).
I love hanging with her kids, and I also keep her heap running.
She loves cleaning house (no kidding, she say it’s great for meditating).
I hate dishes but laundry is fun, she’s vice versa.
Another old guy I know made me a great drawing desk for my art studio ( I only paid the material), so I drew portraits of all his grand children for him.
This is a method I contemplate looking deeper in to, and I highly recommend it, cos you get to know people you otherwise would never spend time with, and that in turn usually leads to more fun stuff.

POS

Smoke some pot, and doing the dishes or laundry becomes fun.

I reward myself. If I know I have a job to do that I dislike (which I usually dislike because I’ve worked it up into a holy cow of disliking), I’ll put off having a coffee or whatever, and have it after I’ve completed the task as a reward.

You tell us you “added depth” but never explained how. After realizing you’re basically an idiot, I wasted no more time reading, but still felt compelled to let you know that this was a terribly written article. A retarded monkey at a keyboard may in fact have been more enlightening.

Good day.

[...] they hate to do, but need to do anyway. Sometimes it is doing basic chores that need to be done.read more | digg [...]

“Consistently and constantly force yourself to focus on the ‘critically few’ proactive activities that produce exponential results.” Yanik Silver

Identify the things that are worth doing!

Eliminate the 80% of all things that you are doing, the things yielding nothing in return!

JD

“How do you motivate yourself to complete tasks you hate?” Well… I find that taking the time to smoke a bowl before tackling something I hate to do generally makes me not care about doing it at all. Sure it doesn’t get done but… I’m stoned… what do I care?

This is one of many “self-improvement” websites offering nothing more than rhetorical advice. The complexities of human behavior are caused by a myriad of cognitive principles and common distortions beyond our current understanding. If you had any appreciation for science, you would realize how ineffective it is to be positively encouraging.

The road to hell is paved with benevolence

It is perfect and useful.

Here’s the scoop, folks: this article was generated by an article-writing computer program. What do you think?

I’m in the middle of changing a bedroom into an office. The work is overwhelming as the room is in pretty bad shape and there is a lot of stuff that needs to be cleaned out including the carpet. I am pushing through by imagining it when I am done. That is motivating me. I am also engaging my mind by listening to a book on CD while I’m working. That kind of takes me away. I invited an out of town friend to visit later in July so in my mind, I have a deadline. That will keep me going. I can’t wait to be finished so I can enjoy the room! :O)

Someone once gave me a book by a Vietnamese Buddhist monk called “The Miracle of Mindfulness” to combat my intense problem with menial chores. It helped a little, but it was so wishy-washy and vague about how “mindfulness” was attained, it didn’t sit very well with me. This post seems like a more direct, plain-English version of what that monk was trying to say in a hundred pages. Thanks!

got up early today to start work early . . . . just reading this article first . . then I may just have a coffee . . . and then . . .. aaaaargh

Being stoned makes the most menial chore enjoyable!

I make a list of all the things that I need to do. When I’m feeling energetic, I go on productivity binges where I just blast through as much as I can before I get bored.

Some really useful tips here! First off the article was great.

@Shanel Yang, I was in the same boat for 5 years, this article also hit home for me too.
@The Success Professor, you drove the nail in a little further, the perfect explanation.

I like all the tips. Thank you.

I think the basic idea is just tricking yourself into doing whatever unpleasant task it is. So, lookign at it a different way and setting yourslef tasks is probably a useful way of doing this. But now I’m procrastinating over deciding to impliment this approach…

That’s another great method I use very frequently, and recommend warmly..

POS

One thing I do that seems to help is to put the task in my Blackberry and set an alarm, reminding me that I need to get something done.

I don’t know why but it seems to motivate me to finish it up. I think it’s probably because I like the act of deleting tasks as I finish them. A sense of accomplishment I guess.

Oao! this one must have a few issues and a chip on both shoulders (at least makes for well balanced bullshit).
Just because you don’t agree with the article or in some way find it offending, it doesn’t give you the right to call people you most likely don’t know or ever saw for “monkeys” and other offending things.
Cos that only shows us that you most likely don’t have any skills what so ever when it comes to argumentation, or you you have no control over yourself and what you say/write when you get upset.
All this says a lot more about you than the writer of the article (Witch I and many more find interesting).
If you disagree, you should tell us why and point out to us where the writer is wrong. In stead of attacking the writer and his skills….that only show you have gotten a bad upbringing obviously since no one have bothered to teach you that.

POS

This seams to be something a lot of people struggle with, and I also get the impression that some have a positive effect from reading about it, and to discuss it with others.
I know I do (despite and contrary to what some people seam to mean).

POS

[...] How to Find Motivation in Things You Hate Doing (Pick the Brain) Everyone has things they hate to do, but need to do anyway. Sometimes it is doing basic chores that need to be done. In other cases, it’s the boring part of an otherwise interesting project. People who get things finished (as opposed to people who just get things started) have mastered the ability to push through the things they hate doing, to work on the things they love. [...]

Wow, I dont get it. Just get up and do it. Its not that bad.

JT
http://www.FireMe.To/udi

Annon,
It is easy to write of what we don’t understand as rubbish. I was reading the “added depth” as rather than automatically doing a routine task, do it to the best of your ability and focus on what this means to you. I can swear and grumble as I do the dishes or I can totally focus on why I am doing them – hygene issues, service to my family etc and how I am doing them – can I improve speed and eficiency etc?

Well reading through the first Tips got me really mentally motivated to get started right now. then i read the last one and that totally killed all my motivation, eventhough outsourcing or removing it is in my case simple not an option…
– should have left the last one out. maybe i can forget it again…

Yeah, but looking at your things the next day and seeing how much you really ‘cleaned’ them, you’ll want to procrastinate even more…

The way I achieve depth and meaning in whatever task I may do is altering my consciousness with the aid of cannabis. Thus, I perceive the rich details of reality

eat that frog

The motivation to do exercise is also one of the most procrastinated. The benefits far outweigh not doing it, but most people can find the easiest excuse for not doing a simple walk for 20 minutes.

Agree!!

I did’nt like the article anyway.

[...] tend to procrastinate in getting those things done that you just hate to do, then you might find this article’s advice on how to get stuff done very useful (unless you hate reading articles about how to [...]

But how do I get motivated to read this long a$$ article?

LOL @ Number 30

Perfect it and make money out of it!
Sounds weird at first, but chances are many other people hate the same things and would like an easier way to do it or someone else to do it for them.
So get really good at it, find a system that helps you doing what you hate and turn it into a business.

DELEGATE….DELEGATE….DELEGATE!!

that’s what kids are for.

Thich Nhat Hanh I presume?

Mindfulness is usually attained through meditation, but that can take a while to master.

I’ve practiced meditation for a few years and I can tell you that I’m _very_ mindful about my dishes. Trouble is, that doesn’t seem to clean them.

Help!?

[...] 3 Ways to Motivate Yourself to do the Hated Things (Pick the Brain) [...]

Thanks for a great article, Scott =)

I’d like to add one more point: Just get started.

I’ve often noticed that once I get started, I realize that the chore wasn’t as bad as I imagined it to be.

[...] How to Find Motivation for the Things You Hate Doing – [...]

I focus on how great the “RESULT” will be when I “ACCOMPLISH” this task that is before.

Simply focus and take action! My thoughts are for bigger , better things; this simply requires action!

Excellent tips. I have been avoiding cleaning the playroom for months! LOL Hubby is getting quite frustrated needless to say.

I do believe you are correct on totally focusing on the one horrible project. I always find something ELSE to do besides that! Thank you!

[...] How to Find Motivation for the Things You Hate Doing [...]

don’t forget inspiration things
like a model photo when you are tired to go gym or things like that
music helps in most of cases too, kudos if the letter is good

[...] How to Find Motivation for Things You Hate Doing – “Everyone has things they hate to do, but need to do anyway. Sometimes it is doing basic chores that need to be done. In other cases, it’s the boring part of an otherwise interesting project. People who get things finished (as opposed to people who just get things started) have mastered the ability to push through the things they hate doing, to work on the things they love.” [...]

I have found often getting a bit of a buzz on before I start a normally boring project makes it much more interesting.

Mopping the floor boring? but look at the pretty swirls I’m making- I’m an artiste!
I don’t want to make dinner? puff..puff..poof! I’m a famous chef making a special dish.
The dog pooped on the rug again? It’s a bomb! And I have to carefully transport it to the bomb disposal unit (toliet) Everybody stand back!

Whereas performing a regular boring task can be boring, focusing on details and imagining or pretending different scenarios can really liven things up…

Cool post!

Definitely Professor,

Getting big, disliked tasks out of the way, early in the day frees you up mentally. I feel great once I get the weak, unattractive things handled – it’s like a load off my back, really.

Have you guys ever heard of http://www.ThinkRightNow.com? They have a time-management program that talks about that.

Cool name though – my friends at school used to call me the professor too!

Peace,

+Bryan Ogilvie

The “Mary Poppins” movie had a song called “A Spoonful of Sugar” which said

In ev’ry job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job’s a game

I love working out ways to keep things simple so I make tasks more of a game by simplifying them as much as I can. I also distract myself from the tedium of doing them, e.g. by listening to podcasts while I wash the dishes or watching TV while I do the ironing.

I also multitask to give myself more of a sense of achievement for the same amount of time. For example, every weekend I start running virus, spyware and rootkit detectors on my computer before I do my weekly backups. While they’re running, I put a load of clothes in the washing machine and, while that’s running, I wash the dishes.

For me, getting started is half the battle. I figure I can do just about anything for ten minutes, after which I’ll give myself a break. The ten minutes become twenty then forty then anything up to an hour and a half before I stop. It can also help to visualise an on/off switch for myself and imagine switching it to “on” to get going. Lowering my expectations by aiming for good enough instead of perfect helps too.

For the difficult I-really-don’t-want-to-do-this task, I do it today as a present for myself tomorrow.

[...] encontrar la motivaci�n en las cosas que odias hacer (ingl�s) [...]

I have a lot of motivation problems, but I find that once the things are done Im a lot more relaxed. so I just imagine Im relaxed to start with and it goes easier.

some of the comments on here, someone just decided to start a flame war. come on ppl; this is a small post about doing a task or chore with more motivation not an excuse to put others down just because you go about things differently. sheesh!

I’ve found a couple of things that help, especially with housework (cleaning) that I really don’t want to do and put off as long as I can:
1. I tell myself that the vacuuming and dusting, mopping, etc. is burning up calories, and so I’m “working out” as I move. It’s like I’m killing 2 birds with one stone.
2. I call friends and talk (or listen) as I’m doing mundane tasks (ironing, dusting, etc.) It becomes automatic and I don’t even think about the chores, and pretty soon they’re done and I’ve been in touch with someone I haven’t talked to in a while. Again, I kill 2 birds with one stone.
3. I make a game out of it some way. Use a timer and try to beat it; find some “secret” shortcut to get it done quicker; start a puzzle or some other game and let myself make another move or put in 15 pieces in the puzzle, etc, once I’ve done a specific task, etc. In other words, I try to make it fun.
4. Lastly, when I’m really unmotivated, something that ALWAYS works is that I remember that I am blessed to have a roof over my head, floors to mop, clothes to press, furniture to dust, and I’m richer than 2/3 of the world’s population. I remember people south of the border who live in a 12X12 room for a house if they’re lucky, have dirt floors, little possessions, and risk their lives to cross our borders just to have a chance at what I have. I thank God that He has blessed me and in humility, realize what I’m fortunate enough to have, and press on to complete the dreaded task with a new attitude of appreciation and gratefulness. Works every time!

If procrastination were a paid for service–I would be a billionaire. I have walked into my office for years, swearing I would get the millions of pieces of paper (insurance, bills, medical info, mortgage, etc.) taken care of and filed neatly. I don’t even walk in anymore–I walk by it. I do my computer work in the dining room just so I don’t face the pile upstairs. If that isn’t dysfunctional I don’t know what it.
I guess I need to say to myself–”Okay self, one day you are going to die and you’d better have some semblance of order or your husband isn’t going to survive you.” He’s so busy he hasn’t the faintest idea where things are.
So—I think the only way this is going to get done is by me saying, ” I am doing this for God and my husband—God says to carry our cross–and no joking aside, this is a cross for me. I hate tedious mundane paperwork. But, no one else is going to do it—-so it’s got to be me.
I will write again when I tackle my fear of paperwork—may I will write again this time next year—-I hope!

Short and useful

Ben…

…

Interesting post, and its obviously provoked alot of interesting comments.

Interesting post.The best way to find motivation for the things we dont like doing is to reward ourselves after successfully completing that particular task.

My problem is that I hate things that I have to do. For example I hate cooking and I hate eating all days at restaurants … And I dont have anybody to cook for me ) …

I personally like DailyFeats.

They incentive you to do the things that make your life happier and healthier every day.

People should definitely check out their website http://www.dailyfeats.com

1. I inspire myself by thinking that not all people are capable of moving their body to do work. 
2. I take it as a challenge. 
3. I have learned to take it easy so I can appreciate it first and eventually do it. 

Excellent article.

[...] Date: 05/03/2010 20:08http://www.spiceplace.com/forums/chatter/7145-kitchen-humor.htmlKitchen humorA Messy Kitchen Is A Happy Kitchen And This Kitchen Is Delirious § No Husband Has Ever… The Dishes § A husband is someone who.Publish Date: 05/03/2010 [...]

Thanks for this article.I do all the laundry and dishes (all the cleaning and cooking too.) BUt I would rather be doing my artwork. Problem is, I never finish doing the housework.The Laundry (folding and putting away) is the WORST. But your article cheered me up. I am motivated to think of a way to sort the alundry so that it’s not the never ending nightmare of my life!!!! thank you…

The way I get through a diffiult task or chore like taking my son’s dog out which I absolutely dispise and cant wait til he’s old enough to take do it himself, or washing dishes which in my opinion is a total waste of time.  Anyway, I give the pain of these chores to  God as penance and this  motivates me to complete these unpleasant duties in no time,the dishes are clean and the dog has been walked and fed  and I get God’s wonderful blessings as an awesome bonus.   It’s a win win for me!!!

day dream but don’t lose focus on what you are doing. think of things that are fun and great as you work things that interests you. Then you put your self on “autopilot” on the task you have. Me doing the dishes I think of syfy things, things from video games and movies. It helps but if you get to detracted on it then you might space off and stop working all together. Think of what you are doing is a journey and it ends when your task ends.