Its 4:38pm here. I have been procrastinating for a few hours on an office submission today. So by 4:30pm, ie, 8 minutes prior, I got a mild panic attack upon realizing I am just not able to gather the focus to sit for a couple of hours at a stretch and to get the thing done. Because I have a few other chores to look into every time I try and then there is instagram. Every hour or so I pick up my phone to scroll mindlessly for a solid 10–15 minutes.
So what exactly am I doing here on medium right now? The answer to that question is the first easy way to ward off stress from our lives.
Ans- I am doing something constructive instead of doing instagram. And as you would have guessed( or may be not), the very constructive aspect of this thing is that, I am sharing and documenting in real time how my stress levels are coming down. As long as I know I am not mindlessly wasting my time, its okay for me (even though it means not directly working towards the immediate goal, which was the submission for me). My mind knows I will get back to the task. Because as soon as I finish this article here on medium, I will have a kick of dopamine. And I guess that will help me go ahead with the submission. In fact don’t guess. I am sure.
Okay. So whats the second way?
Ans- Reducing distractions and responsibilities. In the fourth line I mentioned I had chores to look into everyday. These chores occupy a part of my brain without my willingness . So I had decided I will hire a househelp to do things that are highly unrewarding and time consuming. The more, less things that I will have to look into, the less the chance of those things affecting my mood or energy. Perhaps this is precisely why Zuckerberg wore the same type of shirts everyday. One less thing to worry about every single day. Be as minimal as possible. Automate and outsource and if possible dump( cheating partners and empty bottles)every other damn thing that is of no immediate use.
And lastly the third way.
Ans- Solve the problem just 1 percent. When I requested my house-help to clean the oil stained kitchen walls, she let out a cry. I was quick to explain her that she need not clean it at one go. Just a little soap and sponge every other day. And true to my logic, by the end of the week it shining like new. Same applies in life. Just one comprehensible step towards the goal and you will not only be able to walk a hundred miles by one fine day, but most importantly your mind and body would no more stress you out over the future consequences because they now know you are working towards it.
Look, most of the stress in life happens due to our conscious mind realizing that there is a task or situation that needs our attention, that which can have a few unfavorable consequences. So as long as we give it an infinitesimal level of attention and effort, the mind is calm, the brain is cool and the stress hormones are happily napping. Its like bribing for a win-win.
So, I gotta get back to my submission, let me summarize it for you
May it be studies or an injury or a guilt that’s giving you stress
— Do something constructive for yourself to get a kick. It might be something completely different, but a kick is a kick.
— Reduce distractions and deliverables for yourself to be able to focus
and finally
— Start with just 1 percent of the thing done. The sense of accomplishment goes way beyond our imaginations.
Adios!
