Do you put off work because you are not feeling it, or motivated enough?

Do you struggle with getting things done because of your secret anxiety that you would fail, suffer and feel yucky all the time?

If so, that's completely normal. Everyone that is not a psychopath feels the inertia, resistance, and fears. But there is a simple solution (which you probably know):

Show up and do your work regardless of your feelings

When working on my 200 essays (you are reading my 200th), I've had days when I wanted to procrastinate above all else. Flee the imaginary tormenter. Yet I've learned (from my Pokemon Go years) to switch to autopilot during that time. Just continue working and moving forward like my feelings did not exist.

As Steven Pressfield writes in The War of Art (affiliate link):

"When we turn pro, we stop running from our fears. We turn around and face them"

But before you tell me that it is way easier said than done (which is true btw), here is an important tip that will solve everything:

Outside of work, do whatever your feelings want you to do

If you are bored, do something. If you feel lethargic, relax. If you are in excitement, do a particular thing. If you want to procrastinate, procrastinate.

Rather than blunting your feelings, you are negotiating with them. If you allow them to dominate your life outside of your planned time, they will subside when you need to work. You will find it so much easier.

In my Barbell System, the separation between planned and unplanned time is crucial. During your planned time, your executive (rational) mind has the total command. During your unplanned time, your intuitive (feeling) mind has the total command.

This is how you can both get the important work done and listen to your feelings.