Getting Things Done When You Don’t Feel Like It

Thomas Tran
Jul 10, 2017 · 3 min read

I try my best to congratulate other people’s progress. Deep down I know it doesn’t affect my work but there’s just an inner jealousy that keeps coming up. Even in my immediate circle there are people that are going way above and beyond what I expected them to be capable of. That’s a credit to their own willpower, discipline and intellect, I don’t want to take that away from them, but I still want to outperform them. Admittedly, half the reason I started writing this blog was because I saw someone else putting out content and I thought:

Yeah, looks easy. I can do that.

That’s where a lot of my problems arise. At the start of the year, I have a very simple plan. Every one does. I’m at A. I want to get to B. It’s actually a very simple process to get to B. For whatever reason I decide to make it difficult for myself. Instead of actually getting to B in a straight line I have to chase every distraction possible. I love the excitement of starting something new. I think I love starting things more than I enjoy finishing things. The more I become accustomed to a certain environment, routine, or skill the better I get but the less excitement there is in actually performing it. What was once bringing on enthusiasm and energy is being replaced with difficulty and complication. Like staying out late on a winter’s night, at the start you think it’s a great idea and you’re pumped to see all your friends but half way through you’d much rather be at home in the comfort of your warm blanket.

The problem therefore is that I’m relying on excitement and drive to get me to further improve a certain skill/persist with something rather than to ditch it and try something new. So everyone can perform when they’re really pumped up, everything is going well and they’re just starting out. They’re making impressive progress and gaining momentum. Somewhere along the way that all comes to a screeching halt. They’re now fatigued, frustrated and no longer want to do the things they were once so driven to do.


Back when I started out in the gym I worked out with a couple of friends. They started a little while before me and knew the nuts and bolts of it. Of particular interest to them was how my scrawny arms would be able handle the bench press. Very often I would be squirming around as the bar squashes me against the bench. I’m flailing around but I can’t get it off my chest. This is their favourite part. They stand there, laugh, and say

Just one more rep

Stuff you, just get it off me.

I’m finding that nothing goes right all the time. There’s always going to be doubts, fears and anxiety. Even the most accomplished and experienced people I talk to still admit to them. They still have bad days like everyone else. They all had similar advice to me when I asked how I can I push myself to do something I don’t want to do anymore — Just try one more time.

I get it, you’re tired, stressed, mentally fragile and you’re not seeing any results. Just one more phone call, one more email, one more test, one more interview. Whatever it is — just try one more time. You never know, it might just be the breakthrough that you need and you don’t have that much to lose.


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