What CAN I Do? – See.  Perceive.  Act.

It’s been revolutionizing, former procrastinators.  One simple question I ask myself and act on  helps me tremendously. It helps in everyday situations and when I feel overwhelmed. 

“What CAN I do?”

When we stare at a mountain-job we’d rather not do, it’s hard to even recognize something about it that is doable.  Asking “What CAN I do?” opens our eyes so that we see a doable task.  Asking the question reveals it.  We see a task and perceive it as doable.  We act.

Say the bedroom is a wreck from rushing through a busy week.  What CAN I do?  I can return all  shoes to the closet.  The floor has fewer land mines.  What CAN I do?  I can move the dirty laundry to the hamper.  Now the floor is really good. What CAN I do?  I can hang clothes back in the closet.  What CAN I do?  I can return books and papers to their places.

You can stop anywhere along here and have progress.  Or you can ask the question until the answer is “Nothing.  It’s all done.”

“What CAN I do?” works if you only have time for one thing.  It works if you have fifteen minutes or an hour.  It works for all manner of responsibilities.  It works for daily routine and mountain-sized jobs. It works if you’re tired or don’t feel good.  It works for all ages. 

A child asks, “What CAN I do?  I can put the Legos in their box.”  “I can speak with a kind voice.”  “I can obey Mom the first time.”

After dishes are done, I ask this question every night.  There’ll be several things I return to their rightful place in about two minutes.  I walk away with clean counters ready for a new day.  (This helps keep counters clear in general.  Clutter attracts clutter so a pile of papers or a stray sweater is an invitation to deposit more things there.)

Is your mountain financial?  “What CAN I do?”  I can call my friend and get the name of his advisor.  I can search online for a financial course.  I can sign up.  I can stop optional spending.

Are you facing a comprehensive test?  “What CAN I do?”  I can check to see if there’s a study guide or group.  I can write the bold print words from the text and define them.  I can check my notes for items the teacher highlighted.

Doing one small thing results in seeing something else I can do.  One small thing often releases a log jam that opens up the flow of action.

Asking “What CAN I do?” removes a sense of helplessness and feeling overwhelmed.  It moves us out of negativity that controls our thinking; it helps us exercise dominion. “What CAN I do?” results in progress and accomplishment.  It moves us from procrastination to diligence.

In what situation can you ask “What CAN I do?” to keep yourself moving forward?