Push Yourself

There is no way that I know of to teach someone how to push through on tasks they don't want to do. I do know a few tips and tricks, but truly, it has to come from within. 
If you have a list of things you truly do not want to do, realize that you are an adult and sometimes we have to do things we don't like. On the flip side, are there things you are doing because you are "supposed to" and not because it truly needs done or you feel guilt for not doing it? 
Since it's highly unlikely that anyone will be standing over you telling you when to complete your tasks, you have to find the drive and determination from within. 
But you can do it. 

Some ideas to push yourself: 

First, if the task is one that you say you want to have happen and then you avoid it, maybe you should rethink what you truly want. I have changed both the tasks I do and the frequency I do them depending on how things are in my life. Be in control. You cannot get to everything all the time. 

Second, decide on a time limit and push through. If a timer helps, use it. If playing music helps, do that. If TV, music and audio books are distracting, turn them off. If phone calls, texts and FB alerts distract, turn your phone on silent and promise yourself a reward to look after an hour or two. 

Third, practice the art of self-control. You get to choose when you want to push through and when you want a break because you are an adult. I start each week out super strong and strict with myself because I know I can cut myself some slack later in the week. (This is my main reason for keeping the yuckiest chores at the beginning.)

The thing about having a focus for each day is that it allows you to push things forward if you need to. It also reinforces that in order to have that time for yourself on Friday you are going to need to push through a few tasks today to fully enjoy free time later. It’s hard to enjoy something if you have massive guilt about things you should be taking care of.

One last thought: give yourself rewards. Today as I write this it is Monday night. Today I took a nap. I wanted to read, wanted to finish some things around the house, wanted to watch a movie, really, really needed to be folding clothes, but I napped. I decided I just wasn't going to be happy when the kids came home from school if I didn't get a little nap in. 30 minutes later and I was a new woman! 

If you have pushed through, take a look at the day or week and decide how you can be kind to yourself. I do something for me on a daily basis with a giant reward at the end of the week. It's not that it's all about me (I have four kids - how would that even be possible?), but that I am choosing how I want to be rewarded and making it happen. During my 3rd pregnancy I took a nap EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I trained my kids to sleep and read stories to my oldest until he fell asleep on the bed next to me. When I couldn't get everyone to nap at the same time, I used PBS to help me out. I needed that then, but now I hardly ever nap. (Except today. Today was great!) My mother-in-law once told me how she used to sleep on the floor in her son's room in front of the door. He would play and she would be in there if he needed her, but most important was that she was blocking his exit and containing any possible misadventures and still getting that nap that she so desperately needed. 

Listen to what you need most to feel rewarded and rejuvenated and then find a way to fit it in. 

I know you are creative and brilliant. 
Use that creativity to find ways to push yourself and then reward yourself. 

You can do it!