I love avoidance- its a problem but oh so easy to do. My head says “Stop Avoiding What You Need to Do!”. But I can use my phone, my ipad, watch TV, take a shower or even do the washing up to avoid what I really need to do. My most favourite avoidance technique is easily convincing myself that chocolate is needed and I cannot possibly do anything until I have had some. I have been known to walk down to the local shop to get some!

After all, our brains tell us that its a good thing to avoid. The avoidance protects us from doing things that may be hard or difficult. Things that are hard or difficult are generally best avoided at all costs! Round and round we go, putting off or generally going out of our way to avoid doing the thing.

Where is this avoidance coming from?

Somewhere deep inside we are afraid. It is the fear that keeps us avoiding doing “that” thing. It could be talking to our boss about “that” incident. Or it could be talking to our co-worker who said we were unreliable and are useless at our job. “That” thing could be the discussion with our nearest and dearest about needing support at home with the childcare or household chores. Another example is starting that project your boss gave you 2 months ago and wants it completed by the end of the week- eek!. Whatever it is, its not pleasant and you REALLY do not want to do it.

How can you stop avoiding?

You have no doubt heard about “eat that frog”, a task management technique invented by Brian Tracy. (Eat That Frog & Start Accomplishing Your Goals | Brian Tracy) This technique helps people to solve their most important tasks of the day, even the most complex ones. He identified some areas where this technique can help. Obviously it is for people who delay their tasks but also for people who aren’t able to maximize their productivity. Interestingly, it is also for people who can’t decide what is the frog.

It is this last group that I was not so sure about. This technique apparently can help people who are confused to identify their frog of the day. According to Brian Tracy, the frog is the most important task of the day. Eat that Frog strategy can be implemented by people who are unable to find their most significant task of the day so they can identify their frog and can solve it. But what if you cannot find the “frog of the day” or week or even year? I’m not sure it will help everyone to stop avoiding.

It can be very tricky to find the time and space to work out what you are avoiding. It could be “that” conversation but it could also be what career/job/role do I want to do. Trying to work out next steps for career, relationship and how to make your life enriching and satisfying. A pen and paper may not help you work this out. A pen and paper may not help you to stop avoiding.

Are you avoiding something? Do you need time and space to discuss and consider your needs and situation? Come and have a conversation with me at The Professionals Coach and see how we can find what is holding you back so you can break free.