Inspiration
Self-care Express: The Setup
Have you ever had trouble completing an important project? As in, you want to have done it—you’re just having trouble sitting down and doing it? In the unlikely event that you will have this experience anytime soon, here’s a solid way of breaking the curse of paralysis.
This method comes from the late wild genius Barbara Sher. You may know her from bestsellers like Wishcraft and It’s Only Too Late if You Don’t Start Now. (I recommend all her books.) She called her method “the setup” and it’s not unlike the process—from every cooking show ever—called mise en place. In other words, it’s a way to start now.
Here’s how you do The Setup part of any project session.
First, be comfortable! Put on any layers and take care of any body needs. Then get your timer out because you don’t want to get lost in preparation.
Try setting your timer for 25% of the time you think you’ll have to work. Just a starting point, but I’ve seen that if I don’t limit this phase, getting “ready” can use up my entire available life force. (Not a coincidence.)
Now clear off your work space. Just put other projects out of sight.
Finally, gather everything you need for the actual work phase. For baking, all your ingredients and tools. For difficult phone calls, your water bottle, lip balm, scripts, emergency cat videos. For a writing project, your beverage, your Do Not Disturb, your notebook and your talisman. Etc.
Now: the work! Stop when the timer goes off. Unless you don’t want to.
Here’s how The Setup helps you git it done.
Preparation is kind of like agreeing to go to the gym: if you just get yourself in there, odds are something that builds muscle is going to happen. It’s created the conditions for action. So if there’s any spark of momentum from setting up the space, seize it!
A little on-ramp helps you get ready. Easing into the work triggers less resistance to what’s coming. Over time, the Setup becomes a ritual that sends a message of safety (because we know what’s coming next) and care (we’re gong to have what we need to get the job done).
Importantly, The Setup creates the conditions for flow. Having everything to hand gives you the best chance of avoiding interruptions, and staying in that flow. It may even lead to the transcendent kind we all wish for. (Caveat: here’s where a timer might not be helpful.) Nobody knows how to guarantee flow; in fact we really can’t. But we can increase the odds of enjoyment and flow and even project doneness when we take care with initial conditions.
So that’s The Setup! Like so many of the best tools, small and simple. Are you already doing some version of this? How does it work for you? Tell us about it in the comments!
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Image credit: Kalligraferende vrouw, anonymous, 1800-1899, Rijksmuseum. Used with permission.
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The Setup. With a 25% time limit. Genius little tip for making progress on just about anything. Thanks Max.
One thing that’s been helping me is to make project kits. A box with all the stuff is so helpful.
I was a runner for many years. My set-up was that I always laid out my running clothes the night before – no thinking in the morning. My other part was that I had to get dressed and go outside. If at that point I didn’t want to run I could come back inside. I never did.
The timer has long been my friend when I need to get through something that has been mouldering for too long. I would set it for even less than 25% – any amount of work was a step in the right direction. It never failed and I believe I’ll be using my version of the set up forever.
What a great idea! I am definitely going to put that into practice… tomorrow… maaaaybe this coming weekend…
Signed,
Dyed-in-the-Wool, lifelong committed Procrastinator
Ooooh, we should all talk one day about the wisdom of procrastination! 🙂
Please tell us more!!!!
Please do.
Ahhh yes. There are many times when no decision has been the very best decision.
When I start a new painting project I usually do this. Starting off with my drawing table all cleared off helps my creativity.
Also when I am baking something & following a recipe I do this.
I never thought about doing this with knitting ! I will be trying this for sure …
Love this idea for many possible projects! I do something similar on days when I anticipate not having much desire/energy to make dinner, in the doldrums of 4-6 p.m., yet dinner needs making. Earlier in the afternoon, even just a little earlier, I put out the tools for the job – cutting board, knife, pot/pan, measuring stuff, etc. When the time arrives, I’m already over the starting hump.
This is brilliant! Will try to remember to check out Barbara Sher’s books at the library.
I feel so much better! I love that this is exactly what I have always done to focus on a ‘thing’ — except for the 25% time limit, which I will of course employ now.
I have taken on the practice of “the set-up” when cooking dinner and appreciate the way that you talk about using this approach when taking on a project. In cooking it helps me to appreciate the ingredients, slow down the speed with which I tend to begin dinner, and asks me to take time to do the thing well.
In my buddhist tradition we have a practice called sadhana practice which is a chanted liturgy. Each sadhana is related to a specific means of accomplishment. Accomplishment here referring to spiritual engagement – such as strengthening ones compassion, or relating to the reality of the cycles of life. Every sadhana begins with a kind of “set-up,” , arranging one’s practice materials, renewing one’s vows, appreciating the ancestors, etc. And if one is really committed, one could every thing we do as a kind of sadhana that requires some set-up.
Like what Max said. Thank you.
Great suggestions! I’ll give it a try.
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have
you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value
your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel
free to send me an e-mail.
An interesting variation on my mantra “I can do anything for 15 minutes”. If I promise myself I will work at an unpleasant task for 15 minutes I can quit. Usually I have it done in that time or am close enough to finishing to stick with it.
Great idea! I plan to use this for a sewing project I have put off for several months.
Thank you for this! I’m sure I’m not the only one that needs these instructions.
There has to be a cup of tea. Making the cuppa is when I clear my brain out, untangle the neurons and breathe out any other niggles.
I love this! It’s what I tell my teams at work every day – well begun is half done!
Such excellent advice for any endeavor. I almost wrote chore rather than endeavor, but knitting is never a chore no matter how slow or frustrating or how many times I must frog back to correct a mistake. What I need now is some advice on how to limit interruptions when in the zone. Despite turning off the phone, almost closing the door, even putting on headphones, life seems to be full of, “sorry to interrupt, this will just take a minute” sort of things! I may resort to building a little garden shed and just retreat there instead. Then even the trip to the shed will become part of my set up.
I am going to use this method to finally create a photo book of my son and daughter in laws wedding. The album is for my husband and I and for some reason completing it has been a block for me. Wish me luck!
I’ve loved MDK for years and am now indebted to it and you, Max Daniels, for introducing me to Barbara Sher. Though a reasonably well-read 81-year-old, I’ve never heard of her — what a loss. She’s the common-sensical therapist we procrastinators have always needed. And it’s never too late — yes? I’ve just reserved one of her books from my excellent library and should have it in a day or so. Her 15-minute maneuver will get me started before then. Again, my thanks.
OMG — I do a version of this this with laundry! I’ve learned not to run a load too late in the afternoon. It ends up staying in there wet for too long. So if I haven’t gotten around to doing laundry I sort a load and get it in the washer late in the day. Set up is done! Then I push the start button first thing the next morning, feeing good about an early start.
I call “setup” activities “organization”.
Everything that I need within easy reach.
(I used to be a Project Manager.)
Works every time.
Thanks.
Um, correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure the name of Sher’s book is Wishcraft, not Witchcraft. One of my favorite books ever. She was a genius.
You’re um right! Updated.