Slay Your Slog!

In one of my small group coaching sessions, as we talked about goals for the season, one of the participants said:

“I just need to change my mindset about the slog.”

I loved that! There are so many different ways to approach this topic.

We ALL have "slog" in our lives, though it looks different for everyone. Taxes, cleaning, grocery shopping, ironing, emails, or organizing your files, desk, closet, or kitchen. You know it has to happen eventually (and sometimes it’s urgent). You know your life will be better for it. And yet… it’s painful! We procrastinate, turn it into a massive project in our minds, and feel drained at the very thought of the “MOUNTAIN-OF-SLOG.” So, how can we change our mindset about it? To begin with, what is it about the activity that makes it a slog? And if you want to change your mindset, what would you like to change it to? Realistically…

Approach 1: What’s so important about the slog?

As with everything… know your why! And don’t be satisfied with the first answer. Go deep!

So, you want to organize your files… why? Because I’ll be able to find stuff quicker.

Why is that important? Because I want to spend less time on admin.

Why is that important? Because I really want to spend time on coaching and other fun stuff.

Why is that important? Because it makes me happy!

Why is that important? I love feeling as much joy as possible in my life. Actually… an organized admin will also give me a sense of calm and make me feel like the professional I am. Now I have a deeper understanding: if I want a sustainable business where I have the freedom to be my own boss, organization is key.

Approach 2: Making Slog More Fun

One of the other participants asked a great question: How can you make it more fun? I love this approach. Slog can be less "sloggy" with music on, or if we do it in the right company. Who said we have to do it all on our own?

I do this with my cooking. When I put on some music, it becomes a decompression activity and my energy levels actually go up! I also used this to pass my last coaching certificate—I enlisted AI's help to test me, and I actually ended up enjoying the process!

Approach 3: What am I supposed to learn from this?

Slog becomes more interesting when we think about what in us is being challenged. What are you learning about yourself? What if this activity is supposed to teach you something?

In my case, I’ve been procrastinating on making small videos. Why? Because I’m scared to do it. But it’s part of my goal this year to “grow my voice.”

Approach 4: What is the next "micro-step"?

As with any big project—especially ones that bore, overwhelm, or scare us—we procrastinate. To get into action, think about the smallest possible step you can take.

Regarding my video project, I’ve looked up the dates for Toastmasters and I’m going to attend their next meeting. One small step!

Approach 5: Delegate that slog!

When something is taking up too much time and we truly will never be good at it, make it a priority to delegate.

I did this with my business accounting. I tried… I made mistakes, wrestled, cried, and spent hours over spreadsheets. NAH. Delegate that to someone who is actually good at it! That lets me spend my time doing things I’m actually good at.

Approach 6: Beautify the environment

I learned this from a coach who highly values beauty. She had to do the dishes every day while looking at an ugly wall; to make it more enjoyable, she "pimped" the area with a small garden.

If you’re someone who is greatly influenced by your surroundings—Feng Shui it! Bring beauty to the places where you have to do the work.

Approach 7: Just slog it for 5 minutes!

Getting started is often the hardest part because we think it’s going to take forever. The power of a time limit is incredible.

In a recent training session, we were asked to clean our bathrooms... in three minutes! I managed to clean the sink and the mirror, and it felt so good. We tend to overthink the slog. Really, just do it for five minutes.

Approach 8: Eat the Slog for breakfast

There is a great book called Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy. The premise is simple: do the worst thing you need to do by breakfast, and then you’re free for the rest of the day! It won't be looming over you, sitting on your shoulder like a little devil, whispering in your ear.. “na-na-na-na-na na… you can’t get me! [followed by an evil laugh].”

Approach 9: See the Slog as a way to relax your brain

I recently came across an article titled "Cognitive Crush." AI is causing software engineers to feel huge cognitive overload because it removes the "mundane" tasks, leaving only high-intensity work.

Doing household chores and boring "mind-numbing" tasks is actually good for your brain. We can't be creative or analytical all day. Doing some admin or cleaning my desk is actually exactly what my brain needs to recharge.

Good luck with your slog, and let me know which approach works for you. If you have any other brilliant ideas, I’d love to hear them!

Let’s Slog-Away, folks!