Small treats and bribery to get our Important Work done

I’m sitting in the corner of one of my favourite cafes cajoling myself to write this blog post.

I’ve been doing a lot of cajoling since my break from work over Christmas and New Year. Partly I’m a little tired after my wonderful trip to Spain, but partly I’m also unwilling to get back to work after the fun and games of the holidays.

Getting the balance right

This is something I experience a lot. There’s a balance between on one hand, being kind and gentle with myself so that I don’t overdo things and use up my precious and limited energy, and on the other, not giving into the natural resistance to working that we all experience from time to time whether we’re well or ill.

So I’m cajoling myself. Promising myself little treats when I get a few things done. Here in the cafe I’m planning to buy myself a mug of Earl Grey tea (and maybe, just maybe a cake!) after I hit publish on this post.

A little cup for little treats

At home, I’ve been making heavy use of a lovely little cup I was sent from Christmas. The cup is small enough to be filled (guilt-free!) with my favourite Spanish hot chocolate, and I can repeat the bribe a couple of times a day if need be!

What can you get done with a little bribery?

Bribery is a very useful tool in the getting our Important Work done arsenal. What can you get done today with some small treats and bribery?

If you’re a member of Sustainably Creative you can join in a discussion in the members’ forum about using small treats and bribery to help us get our Important Work done.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy my fortnightly(ish) The Important Work Letter. Sign up on the right for free.