It’s Never As Hard As You Think.

Have you ever dreaded a task for so long because you thought it was too difficult or it would take a long time to complete? I have, countless times. One thing, though, when I finally bite the bullet, I have realized it is never as hard as I anticipated. It could be an uncomfortable conversation, writing a business plan, cleaning that spot in your home that you have neglected for a long time, or learning a new skill. When you start on the task, it’s never as bad as what you anticipated during the dread period. One of the ways that can hinder us from becoming the best version of who we are is dread, and putting off the things we know we have to do. Sometimes, because we think we are not capable, or it’s just too difficult. In this post, I want to remind you that IT’S NEVER AS BAD/ DIFFICULT AS YOU ANTICIPATE.

I am writing to encourage you to take on the tasks you have been putting off this week. I had an aha moment with these simple words, “ it’s never as hard as you anticipate,” when I was putting off a task myself. I wasn’t happy with the cupboard I keep my cleaning detergents and equipment, there were spillages, clutter, you name it. Every time I opened it, it disturbed me, but I kept putting off the task because I thought it would take me hours to clean it up. I had no idea where to start. But guess what, the day I just decided to go for it, it took me less than 15 minutes!! In that moment, I just heard the phrase ‘It’s never as hard as you anticipate.’ I started reflecting on other instances where something I had dreaded, thinking it would be difficult, turned out to be easier than expected. I thought of moments at my job, conversations I dreaded, but when I got to them, it was never as difficult as I had thought before I started. I also thought of some of the missed opportunities that because I thought it would be difficult or take too much time consuming to complete, and never dared to dip my toes into those opportunities. What would have happened if I just showed up and did what I was supposed to do? Remind yourself regularly that it’s never as hard as you anticipate when a task/ dream/ goal is lingering in your mind and you dread to get to it.

Who would you become and what would you achieve if you do the things you continually put off? Sometimes you don’t need to give yourself a pep talk; you just need to show up, show up when you are feeling afraid, show up when you think it’s too difficult. Only then, with practice and consistency, will you realize it was never as hard as you anticipated. Mel Robins speaks of a technique of getting things done, the 5-second rule. She talks about how the best way to do anything you are dreading in the moment is to count to 5 and get right into the task. The art of counting to 5 is preparing your mind that it’s go time, no negotiation. Think of athletes, the moment the referee yells GO, it’s go time, no negotiation. Try implementing this strategy in the little things you are dreading until you practice it on your bigger goals. What’s your dirty cupboard this week? Challenge yourself to just show up and do what you are supposed to do! And as you do so, you will realize it was never as hard as you anticipated.

The person who fails is not the one who tries; the failure is the one who dares not to try. Remember, it’s NOT AS HARD AS YOU ANTICIPATE, so just show up this week.

tanyafungai