This is Optimal Living Daily Episode 1997, the things that get in the way of doing,

by Leo Babata of Zenhabit's Donnet, and I'm your narrator Justin Mollik reading U-Blogs every

single day of the year. We have a bunch of shows in our podcast network covering different topics,

search for Optimal Living Daily wherever you're hearing this to find all of them. But for now,

let's get right to it as we optimize your life.

The things that get in the way of doing, by Leo Babata of Zenhabit's Donnet.

After working on my procrastination, mindfulness, and productivity habits for the last nine years,

I've gotten much better at doing and accomplishing.

Today I sent out the digital editions of my book to Kickstarter backers, for example.

While working on a 13 person coaching program, a Habits membership program that has several

thousand readers, writing a guide on mindfulness, preparing for several webinars, and of course,

writing this post. One task at a time, but lots getting done. And yet, I still have things that

get in the way of my doing. Some of them I'm okay with, but nonetheless I thought I'd share what

I've learned about the things that get in our way. Doing obstacles, man, some solutions.

This list isn't complete, but just some ideas to get you thinking.

Number one, online distractions. This is a big one for me. I can go to my favorite online sites,

just a quick check, and get lost for an hour or two. Or more, if I hit on something that really

fascinates me. What has worked for me? To overcome this, I try to remember to pause,

and often get up and walk around and realize that I've gotten lost again. Then I'll clear my

screen and just have one thing in front of me, and try to stick with that until I'm done. I don't

always succeed, but when I remember to do this, it works very well. Number two, being overwhelmed.

If you have a ton of things to do, it can make you feel helpless. How can you possibly get it all done?

...