Less Cogitating, More Doing

"There's a lassitude deep in my soul; I always have to fight my urge to do nothing." --Gretchen Rubin

Me too--only I'm not always fighting it.

I love to ponder, learn, read, and write about sustainable living and Permaculture and all of this stuff. But...even when it comes to these things I wholeheartedly believe in and love, I rarely get into action. I need some "get up and go" to do the things that need doing, that I can and should do.

My mother- and father-in-law are such dynamic people  that although they are twice my age they accomplished a zillion times more things every month than I could even imagine. They have a gift in their temperaments, certainly!  

But I must fight my personal lassitude. Suggestions from those similarly afflicted? Or from those blessed with gumption and tons of energy?

Maybe all it takes is writing it down to get you to do just one thing.

In other words, write something like "Tomorrow I will weed the garden." then just do it.

What do you think would this get you out there doing just that?

What keeps you from doing the things you want to do?

Lists work for me. We also do goal journals as a family every week so you have the whole family keeping you accountable.

Even still the natural swimming pond has been on my list for years, literal years. I have a giant ugly hole in the ground I dream about. Why am I not finishing this thing? I don't even know. Sadness.

Anne Miller wrote: Maybe all it takes is writing it down to get you to do just one thing.  In other words, write something like "Tomorrow I will weed the garden." then just do it. What do you think would this get you out there doing just that?

Yes, I think I will do this more--write down everything, even the "minor" things I usually only keep in my mind, and then I will literally check them all off when done, hopefully by the end of the day.

I have noticed lately that if I tell myself, "I'll just do 5 minutes of X, even though I don't want to, and then I'll let myself stop..." then I find that once I'm actually in motion, I usually finish whatever I've gotten started. So getting started in the first place is the key for me.

Anne Miller wrote: What keeps you from doing the things you want to do?

Here's where I have to be honest with myself: I could give a whole bunch of only semi-valid reasons why I don't do things--money, parental responsibilies, etc.--but the real, true answer is that I am naturally so much more of a thinker than a doer. It sounds like  just plain laziness when I describe it, and perhaps it is, but I am the absent-minded-professor kind of person that finds abstractions much more comfortable than practical applications.

(And I do appreciate the irony that today here on Permies I am busy contemplating my lack of taking action...see what I mean? Ha! I'm hopeless!)  

For what it's worth, I think your style of writing is great and I hope that you continue to write and share about sustainable living! Even if it isn't a concrete thing like a building a hugel, RMH, etc. I think writing in a compelling way about permaculture is important work in itself! We need all kinds of different people with different strengths and interests!

As for finding ways to shift the balance a bit in the direction of doing, is it possible you could actually use your love of writing to help there? After all, doing a project could give you great fodder to write about! Lists are really good too, I know they help me lots.

Since you like reading and learning, I wonder if you could team up with one or more other people who are more naturally inclined towards the hands on part of a project? They might not even have to be well versed in whatever it is, just have an interest in learning and working on something collaboratively. You could provide the idea and knowledge for a project while they provide the extra motivation and people power to do it. Might give you the extra inspiration you need and possibly infect more minds with permaculture in the process!

Each of us has a different way of motivating ourselves as these personal approaches reveal. My retrospective style is odd but it really works for me since I don’t have to plan and then fail to live up to the plan. Instead of writing down things that I will do, at the end of the day, I write down 3 things that I actually did. For example, if the only thing that I actually did was sweep the patio, I write on my calendar for the day: sweep the patio, collect leaves and debris, compost (the debris). The next day, I write down three things: search for recipes, harvest veggies, make stew. Then I have an unexpectedly super productive day: trim trees, weave a fence with trimmings, mulch new garden. Eventually, I see a whole month’s calendar of random activities and I realize how much I actually did. I bet we all (including Rachel!) do a whole lot more than we give ourselves credit for.

I list everything on a calendar, on my phone. The list grows and shrinks seasonally, and as I get things done or my priorities change. I color code it red, and try to keep the top priorities at the top. Longer term items are lower on the list, and many of the higher priority items are the steps needed to get to the bigger items. As i get the things done, I check them off, and each day, anything that didn't get done gets copied and pasted to the next day - but I always leave the stuff I got done on the day they were finished, as well as adding things that got done that weren't already on the list. This way, I can keep track of when I did what (handy, for long term maintenance, critter care, etc), but just as important, is that when I start getting down on myself for what's *not* done, I can go back and see everything I actually *did* do.

Some days, like today, there's something pressing that needs doing - like pruning my peach tree. But, we have livestock, and today, instead of pruning my tree, there was a little Houdini goat, who got bored with the snow. In getting him back into his paddock, i discovered his cute, chubby, sweet little pregnant mate had gotten herself trapped, so then I had to 'rescue' her. Hubs came out to help, and noticed a loop of baling twine that our other very sweet, but even more skittish buck had been playing Jacob's ladder with (why not...?), and still had it wrapped around one of his huge horns, across his face, and neck, and caught in his hoof. So, he had to be trapped in a stall, where I joined his terrified self and his horns that are as wide as his body is long, pull out my pocket knife(so reassuring for him:( ), cut him loose, then (finally) put his collar on, since I'd caught him - for the first time, since we've had him. SUCCESS! But, the only part of that whole debacle that was in my list, was getting that damn collar on him.

So, my calendar now reads those goat wrangling antics, and the collar, all checked off. The tree pruning gets bumped to Sunday, because I have a fiber guild meeting, tomorrow. Unless my physical struggles slow or stop me, I get a LOT done - it's not always what I planned or wanted to do, though. So, keeping that running list is both a to-do reminder list and a maintenance tracker for future reference, but it's also an encouraging record of all the things I actually accomplish, to console myself in, when I'm incapacitated or too exhausted, or unavoidably distracted.

I have to admit, I don't relate. I'm a doer. Before I moved to my homestead dream, I spent a lot of time learning and dreaming in preparation, but still did what I could on my little 1/10 acre bit. Sitting still is my nightmare, mostly a problem because of the weather and/or my physical limitations. But I'm very organized and am good at prioritizing. Every night I make a to-do list for the next day including my daily chores and projects. I also plan all my meals and list things that I need to take up to my daughter's house and things that I need to bring down.

I don't mean to be rude, but in my experience, most permaculturalists want to follow their own plan. Writing to give people inspiration is great. Trying to find others to do what you want might be difficult, but that's just one person's opinion. Maybe I just fail to inspire like you do.

Even in the permies singles forums I'm struck by how many people have a piece of paradise that they want to share as opposed to people looking to join others in there dreams. In some ways, I feel like we are anti-gold diggers, we want to share, not take.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

There are so many ways to approach this and different things work for different people. I've made lists for years, but I'd feel guilty if there was something on the list that was too large, or too difficult, or too cold, or too miserable to do, and things would grind to a halt. I'm particularly prone to that when it's cold, dark and rainy, which where we live can be mid-Oct to the end of Feb on a bad year!

So for me, I absolutely need to have a running list that is flexible based on the weather. For example, I've been doing a variety of sewing projects, so I can feel productive in the damp weather.

When we got me a new computer, #2 Son set up a program called "sticky note" which sits near one edge or can be minimized, but I just started listing tasks sequentially. It has a "strike out" feature, so when a task is done, I can electronically "cross it out". When it got awkwardly long, I made up a Note Pad file to move all the crossed out items to. I mostly write down the bigger projects, but if I seem to be grinding to a halt, I put smaller things that I dislike (like cleaning our two toilets) on the list and at the moment "vacuum house" is on it because other things keep jamming in the queue and it's getting desperate! Another thing that helps is to divide a bigger project into more manageable chunks so I get a sense of accomplishment if an important step gets finished. It also has a "Bold" feature, so I can bold things that are either getting urgent, or that I don't want to stall.

I admit that I also could spend my entire life thinking up cool projects and never get anything done, so I get that!  Setting priorities is hard work, particularly when to accomplish Job 1 requires so very many steps - planting a single tree on my land usually requires getting nasty things out of the way, digging a hole in rocky clay soil, gathering all sorts of amendments like duck-shit contaminated wood-chips, biochar and compost, and building a fence that the deer can't jump and the bunnies can't get under. That's before deciding what to plant with the tree.

I also recognize that sometimes identifying a manageable first step is key to getting a project actually moving. Getting it clear in my mind, what the real first step is, or anything critical that needs doing first because it's really a higher priority. And accepting that some things are very weather/time critical - right now the ground is wet, so if I'm going to get Himalayan Blackberry roots out, this is the month, for example. But that qualifies as a *really nasty job*, so I have to be realistic about doing some of it, and then walking away from it and doing something that will bring me pleasure as a reward.

And last but not least, making sure there are some projects that I can genuinely see the whole process and can see an end point. Language can be really important here. Yes, last fall I had at least 9 trees in the queue that needed planting. That's so impossible for me, that it ground me to a halt for an extra month that should have been prime planting time. I had to focus on Get One Tree Planted - every step from companions, to rock work, to fence work, to label on the tree, and then celebrate that the tree is no longer in my way in my veggie garden.

Actually, maybe that isn't the last thing. Permies also can be a great help. Between our PEP program where you can get a BB for getting something done, to "simple pleasure of the day" thread where one can celebrate a large or small job well done, to the whole "projects forum" or topic specific threads where writing down what you did, and how it worked out can often get thumbs up and apples as recognition. Knowing there are other people out there who support the effort I'm making is priceless!

Heather Sharpe wrote:For what it's worth, I think your style of writing is great and I hope that you continue to write and share about sustainable living!

Thank you for the compliment! I really am lifted up by all of you great folks around here!

Heather Sharpe wrote: As for finding ways to shift the balance a bit in the direction of doing, is it possible you could actually use your love of writing to help there? After all, doing a project could give you great fodder to write about!  

 Yes, I might be able to lure myself into doing something with the promise of making some kind of piece about it. That would be fun!

Amy Gardener wrote: My retrospective style is odd but it really works for me since I don’t have to plan and then fail to live up to the plan. Instead of writing down things that I will do, at the end of the day, I write down 3 things that I actually did. For example, if the only thing that I actually did was sweep the patio, I write on my calendar for the day: sweep the patio, collect leaves and debris, compost (the debris). The next day, I write down three things: search for recipes, harvest veggies, make stew. Then I have an unexpectedly super productive day: trim trees, weave a fence with trimmings, mulch new garden. Eventually, I see a whole month’s calendar of random activities and I realize how much I actually did. I bet we all (including Rachel!) do a whole lot more than we give ourselves credit for.

  This is brilliant. I will do this!

Carla Burke wrote: As i get the things done, I check them off, and each day, anything that didn't get done gets copied and pasted to the next day - but I always leave the stuff I got done on the day they were finished, as well as adding things that got done that weren't already on the list. This way, I can keep track of when I did what (handy, for long term maintenance, critter care, etc), but just as important, is that when I start getting down on myself for what's *not* done, I can go back and see everything I actually *did* do.

 Yes, this will be important for me. I use a paper (Day Designer) planner that is set up perfectly to allow me to do this.

Stacy Witscher wrote: I have to admit, I don't relate. I'm a doer. Before I moved to my homestead dream, I spent a lot of time learning and dreaming in preparation, but still did what I could on my little 1/10 acre bit. Sitting still is my nightmare, mostly a problem because of the weather and/or my physical limitations. But I'm very organized and am good at prioritizing. Every night I make a to-do list for the next day including my daily chores and projects. I also plan all my meals and list things that I need to take up to my daughter's house and things that I need to bring down.

 I bow before you! Next time you have a not-so-fun day, cheer yourself up by remembering that there is someone out there who wants to be much more like you! I will try to get my to-do lists prioritized so that the most important things will get done, even if they don't all get done.

But--

Jay Angler wrote: Setting priorities is hard work, particularly when to accomplish Job 1 requires so very many steps -  

YES! And all my desired life changes, like saving rainwater, fencing...yeah, all of them...are of the many-many-steps variety. That does make it harder!

Jay Angler wrote: I also recognize that sometimes identifying a manageable first step is key to getting a project actually moving.

 YES YES YES

Jay Angler wrote: And last but not least, making sure there are some projects that I can genuinely see the whole process and can see an end point.

Maybe I should make a note of an end-point near the entry on the to-do list, to keep that place of completion in mind.  

Jay Angler wrote: Permies also can be a great help. Between our PEP program where you can get a BB for getting something done, to "simple pleasure of the day" thread where one can celebrate a large or small job well done, to the whole "projects forum" or topic specific threads where writing down what you did, and how it worked out can often get thumbs up and apples as recognition. Knowing there are other people out there who support the effort I'm making is priceless!

 I had not thought about using the forum this way. That's a dandy idea that ties in nicely with Heather's, see above!

I love Permies, and you wonderful folks here! Thanks so much for your input!

Amy Gardener wrote:My retrospective style is odd but it really works for me since I don’t have to plan and then fail to live up to the plan. Instead of writing down things that I will do, at the end of the day, I write down 3 things that I actually did.

Just wanted to report that this has been working pretty well for me. It must tap into that part of the brain that those gratitude lists do, I feel so happy seeing a record of what I did and that my day was in fact productive--it doesn't just fade away into nothingness. And these notes allow me to see trends in my activities (observe, right?), will provide a diary of sorts for future memories, and keep me mindful of what really matters. Thank you so much for suggesting this. I never would have thought of it, or guessed that it would make such a big difference!

Glad you found a good way forward! And thanks for reporting back.

I find that I do my best thinking while I'm doing.

Or rather I just go out and start doing something. Then in the process my mind clears itself and finds space for the cogitation that needs to happen. I've never had as much mental clarity and stillness as when I was carving spoons.

My to-do list has upwards of 200 or even 300 things on it at any given time. Some are very small items (e.g. "clean ac filters"). Some are big (e.g. get my master's degree). Some things don't even make it to my to-do list before I get them done. Recently I try to write things that I want to do one day because they sound awesome and I don't discriminate by priority... because priority rarely influences what I actually do... my mood and the circumstances of the moment are the biggest influences on what happens.

Right now this method is working very very well for me as a means of balancing doing, thinking, and for me especially mental health.

My Grandpa who recently passed was a major DOER.
He worked a full day around the farm until his later 80s.
He hated feeling useless when he couldn't DO things for people anymore.

I am much more of a thinker-planner-cogitator, sometimes being so satisfied with my thorough planning and designing that I don't ever do the thing in mind.
He was an amazing inspiration to me, I don't know where his strength and stamina came from, but he accomplished so much.

When I was a youngster of 20 or so, and getting excited about Permaculture, I remember jabbering on at Sunday morning breakfast that,
"I want to plant Cherries, and Plums, and Apples, and Pears, and Grapes, and..."
to which he responded, "Well quit talking about it and DO IT."

It sounds so simple and blunt.  But it really hit home for me, and I got it.

Another popular saying of his was, "The only way I know how to get something done is to start doing it."
Though he also like, "Let's do something even if it's wrong."  (not always recommended)

Whenever I get to drowning in my thoughts and not knowing what to do,  I remember him.
Just starting some project, especially a physically demanding one like moving piles of something somewhere, gets the Mind into my Body and things get going.

But mostly I cogitate.

I've spent the last several years with an open mind looking at different "energy typing" systems.   Hard to do as a science based natural skeptic, BUT I also fully acknowledge that there are many things we just don't understand well yet, and that includes the possiblity that energy typing IS based in science (it's interesting that there are 4 basic building blocks of DNA,  most sytems type 4 basic energy types,  etc.).

It's been an interesting journey for me and several members of my immediate family.   Man, I wish I knew about it when my daughter was small;   it would have been a big help in understanding and supporting her instead of the areas I was constantly frustrated about when trying to get her cooperation.

There are many combinations of high/ low,  slow/fast,  introvert/extrovert types and you CANNOT model yourself after a type that isn't your nature.   On the other hand, when you recognize and understand YOUR pathways you can organize (oops, that's my word) and push through (oops, another of my strong ones).   Well,  you can use your strengths to not only do the right type of work for you, but at your speed and in your natural way.    Sometimes that is slow and steady and detail oriented with a lot of "pull back and assess" time built in (my daughters nature).    Others of us (me) like to streamline a linear plan and then optimize our work time, without getting bogged down in the fine motor skills/details.   Probably like your parents?  lol.    

There isn't a right or wrong or better, but when we honor our own energy type we can really blossom.   It's more than "OK" to be you..   it's amazing.   In ways that others aren't!

Rachel Lindsay wrote:
I have noticed lately that if I tell myself, "I'll just do 5 minutes of X, even though I don't want to, and then I'll let myself stop..." then I find that once I'm actually in motion, I usually finish whatever I've gotten started. So getting started in the first place is the key for me.

Just a couple quick things to add to the excellent discussion so far.  

One, the thing you mentioned there works well for me, especially if I am overwhelmed.  I do just what you said, I make myself go do something, anything, that needs working on with the idea that I'll just do it for 5 minutes if I want to.  As soon as I get going, I'm golden.

Two, getting things done, for me at least, is a habit.  It's easy to get used to sitting around.  It isn't that much harder to get used to do things.  The more I accomplish, the more I want to accomplish and it builds on itself.  I spend very little time sitting anymore, and lots and lots of times working on projects and things.  After all, these aren't really things I have to do, they are things I decided I want to do, or at the very least, want to have done.  As soon as I get home from my day job, I pick something to start working on, just for a few minutes.  That's all it takes and next thing I know, it's dark and I got some things done.