Facing Up to the Task You've Sidestepped for Weeks
- Details
- Written by Leo Babauta

Let’s imagine that there’s a big task you’ve been avoiding for weeks (or maybe a bunch of them!) … it just becomes this ball of dread that you don’t want to think about, but that you feel really bad that you’ve been putting off.
Sound familiar? Everyone has something like this, whether it’s a big work project, taxes or budgeting, a difficult email, a creative project, or just some regular tasks you don’t want to deal with.
So let’s assume you’d really like to do this task … how do you turn towards it?
I’m going to give you a practice you can take on, turning towards one difficult task at a time, until your whole life starts to flow.
Here’s the practice:
- Notice that you’re avoiding the task. It might be something you keep kicking to the next day. Or an email that’s been sitting in your inbox. Maybe there are a lot of them … but pick one and notice that you’re avoiding it. Set an intention to turn towards it, just a little, as a practice.
- Pause for a moment and sit with the task. You don’t have to do the task yet. Just think about the task for a few moments and feel the feelings that come up. Maybe dread, feeling bad about yourself, judgment, fear. You don’t have to think too much about the feelings, just let yourself feel them for a few moments. Breathe.
- Take a break if you need to. Get up and walk around. Drink some water, stretch, do a little movement, dance, whatever you like. Then try step 2 again.
- Remind yourself of why this is important. Why do you care about this? Is there an important outcome that will come from doing this? Something that matters to you?
- Try the smallest step. With a big reason, take a small action. Tiny. Can you open it and read the first sentence? Can you write a few words? Just do that and breathe.
- Celebrate yourself. It’s a start! You’ve turned towards the task! It might seem silly or unworthy of celebrating, but even turning towards something in a small way like this is a huge victory. Acknowledge yourself, and do a little dance.
Then keep practicing! Turn towards the task again, after a little break. Then again.
Take on another task you’ve been avoiding.
Then another.
Soon these tiny steps, tiny turning towards, will unblock a large part of your life. Then nothing can stop you.
May your life become unlocked.
Posting on CrystalWind.ca ©2024. All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce any content without written permission. The article's title was crafted by CrystalWind.ca.
Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!
Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below!
Latest Articles
Dive into the Mystical World of the Crystal Wind Oracle Deck!
Get All the Enchanting Details Now!
NEW Expanded Boxed Edition!
Now with 58 Cards for Richer Wisdom!
Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!
Epilepsy - Finding A Cure
Your donation can make a difference!
Help us find a cure – donate now!
Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!
Follow Us!
Featured This Month
Cancer Mythology
The Mythology of Cancer: A Celestial Tale of Loyalty and Sacrifice Among th... Read more
Lugh - Celtic God Of The Sun
The god Lugh was worshiped in Ireland as a deity of the sun. This connection... Read more
Abalone Shell
Echos Of The Ancestors Abalone strengthens the structure of the body and th... Read more
Chalcedony
The Stone Of Orators Chalcedony was very popular as a decorative stone in ant... Read more
Sun in Cancer
Cancer Sun Sign Characteristics Overview The name "Cancer" comes from Latin, ... Read more
Lammas by The Hedgewitch
Although in the heat of a Mid-western summer it might be difficult to discer... Read more
Egyptian Zodiac/Astrology
Egyptian astrology was one of the earliest forms of astrology. The Egyptians w... Read more