In partnership with

Tuesday

Welcome to Tuesday! In today’s newsletter:

• How to finally stop procrastinating

• Discover a simple 5-minute rule to spark action

• How to find unbiased news

• Ideas to become more productive

Tips to Stop Procrastinating

Whether it’s doing the dishes or a big project for work, most of us procrastinate from time to time.

It’s less stressful at some times than others — but one thing remains the same: it always leaves tasks nagging in the back of our minds.

We may procrastinate for different reasons, whether it’s dreading the task at hand, being fearful of the amount of work we have to do, or something else.

There are a few simple tricks that can help kick procrastination out of the way:

• Give yourself one alternative (nothing): Make a deal with yourself that you can put off your task… but you literally can’t do anything else until that task is done. You can sit and stare at the wall, but no scrolling your phone, no watching TV, and no doing other tasks. This may seem great as you have a few minutes with your own thoughts, but you’ll likely grow bored and get some motivation to start on that thing you’ve been putting off.

• Be kind to yourself: Many of us put off tasks because we’re fearful that once we actually do it, it’s not going to turn out the way we imagined. Be gentle with yourself, and acknowledge your feelings. This kind of self-talk can be far more motivating than negative dialogue.

• Halt overthinking: We may procrastinate as we overthink all the different parts of a task we have to do. Instead of letting those thoughts stew, simply commit to starting — even if you have to figure things out along the way.

Discover the 5-Minute Rule to Get Motivated

Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done that you’d like to?

You’re not alone if you wish you had more time to get things done. This looming feeling may actually lead us to put off doing things as we feel we need to dedicate significant chunks of time to them.

However, life isn’t all or nothing — and neither are many of the things we do! Sometimes, all you need is 5 minutes to get an inspired start.

With the 5-minute rule for motivation, you commit to doing something for just 5 minutes.

For example, even if you think cleaning your living room will take 30 minutes or an hour because you have to pick up clutter, vacuum, dust, wipe down the mirrors, fluff the pillows, fold the blankets, and so forth, you can still make an impact in 5 minutes.

Simply set the timer for 5 minutes and see how much you can get done.

This may inspire you to keep going as you recognize how productive it feels to get started on a task you’ve been putting off.

And the great thing is, even if you don’t want to dedicate more than 5 minutes to that task, you’re still in a better place than before you started!

This is a super simple tip to spark motivation across different areas of our lives, including household tasks, work, errands, and more.

For Those Who Seek Unbiased News.

Be informed with 1440! Join 3.5 million readers who enjoy our daily, factual news updates. We compile insights from over 100 sources, offering a comprehensive look at politics, global events, business, and culture in just 5 minutes. Free from bias and political spin, get your news straight.

Join for free today!

Thank you to 1440 for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How to Become More Proactive

If procrastinating is our kryptonite, what if you could make proactivity your strength?

While it may seem easier said than done (and don’t get us wrong, many times it may feel that way), being proactive has some great benefits — it helps us stay organized, can make us less stressed, and doesn’t lead to last-minute panic!

Here are a few simple yet effective ways to boost productivity:

• Plan ahead: Use a calendar or a planner, set your alarm, and create a step-by-step to ensure success.

• Break it up: Don’t feel like you have to get it all done at once — one great aspect of being proactive is that you can take a little more time to get a task done and break it up into more digestible sections.

• Remove distractions: Set screen limits on your phone, put it on do not disturb, and create an environment that sets you up for success.

• Give yourself a deadline before any deadlines: When we know we have time until something needs to be done, we may be tempted to use it. Give yourself an earlier deadline to be sure you work ahead.

• Give yourself rewards: Scheduling time to dedicate to tasks and knowing you have something to look forward to — whether it’s a walk outside, some time to scroll your phone, or something else — can make you more excited to work on it.

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: The average employee contribution for a 401(k) is 7.4%. Financial self-care habits like this are great to incorporate into your life!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Procrastinating isn't all bad — but it can be overwhelming as we put off tasks. Challenge yourself to find one area where you can practice being proactive.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!