October 2011, 30-Day Project

My monthly 30-Day projects are where I use psychology tips to try to solve one of my own problems, and you can participate along with me if you want.

This Month’s Goal:

My goal for this month is to reduce overthinking, specifically around work tasks. The type of overthinking I do generally isn’t worrying (it’s usually excited overthinking), but it is draining and I suspect all the thinking doesn’t actually lead to achieving more. For example, I get ideas and start working on new therapy tools before I finish things I’ve already started.

Strategy for Reaching the Goal:

The strategy I’m planning on using is simplifying my thinking.

Daily Behaviour Plan Based on the Simplifying Thinking Strategy:

- Limiting my daily “To Dos” to a max of 2 tasks. This excludes the tasks I need to do everyday.

- I do most of the work involved in running my business from home and only go into the office for the hours I have people scheduled to come in for their appointments. I’ve prepped a list for myself of the work tasks I need to do each day I see clients in the office, broken into the 3 categories of: before going to the office, before leaving the office, and when I get home. Creating this has made me realize I’ve been underestimating how many of these tasks there are and how little time there is to actually do other stuff without putting in far more hours than a normal work week.

- Not allowing myself to start other tasks until my everyday tasks are done.

- If I have thoughts about projects that aren’t on my list for the day, I’m going to mindfully let them pass through my mental sky like light, fluffy clouds. Instead of the “Getting Things Done” approach of writing all these things down in order to free up mental workspace, I’m just going to let them sail through. I’ve realized that there is no way I can even do 10% of work projects I’d like to get done and I’m hoping that acceptance of this is going to lead to taking on less, peace, and calmness.

How to Participate

You can join in on the blog’s Facebook page. I’m going to post a daily (or almost daily) status update about how I’m doing with the project. If you want to try the project with me, you can post your update as a comment to my update. (You need to “like” the page in order for the comment option to appear). Late comers are always welcome, so you can start anytime in October. Come watch, participate in this project, or participate in some of the other interactive things I do on the Facebook page?