Getting to the workout tip 2: Sharing what you’re about to do

Another way to get out of my own way on the way to exercising — Sharing what I’m about to do. Tara neatly addresses this in a recent blog post:

I’m not sure why but it still surprises me when I see things work for myself. Yesterday I was talking to my friend and colleague Becca Colao
through IM. During our conversation I mentioned that I was
procrastinating about exercising and that I wanted to exercise. With in
minutes I got my socks and sneakers on and started exercising. So now I
know that as both an ADHD Coach and an adult with ADHD that Sharing Your Goals does work.

She was talking about the strategy of "sharing your goals" from Nancy Ratey’s new book, "The Disorganized Mind."  I take the notion of what I’m sharing down a level, because I think goals is a big-picture level, and getting my butt out of the house is a pretty detailed-level kind of thing. I try to think small when I want to exercise RIGHT NOW. So I call it not my goal (which works for some) but rather, just what I’m gonna do. Right now.

I use this strategy a lot. The IM with Tara was one example. I do this with my sister a lot. We use IM, e-mail, or phone. We use it to declare a truce in the internal argument about what to do next, and whether or not to exercise. We use it for other irksome tasks as well, like going through that pile of papers on the desk. Here’s an example:

C,
I’m going to go through the !@#$%^&*(?! pile of papers on my desk now. Talk to you after.
-Becca

Becca,
Great!  Talk to you soon!
-C

C,
I did it. I gotta eat now.
-Becca

Becca,
EAT! Tuna is nice.
-C

Thrilling, isn’t it? It works! Here’s another one:

Becca,
I need to go for a swim but I can’t figure out whether to go now or to trim the hedge or refile the things my assistant put in the wrong places or to call the 3 clients I should’ve called or go to the store.
-C

C,
GET YOUR BAG AND GO TO THE POOL. NOW. then call clients right after.
-Becca

Becca,
I have to call the other 6 people too!
-C

C,
CALL ME FROM THE CAR.
-Becca

Yeah, this is (a) sharing and (b) accountability and (c) designating your brain’s driver.

Mine wants some tuna. Moral? Use some synergy. Use some help. Tell someone what your goals are, big or little, particularly when you need to get off your butt right now. We have degrees and stuff, but that doesn’t make us smarter than all that! So don’t feel silly, or do feel silly, just say it and get it done. Get out the door and get moving.