When we’re exhausted or stressed, our brains want to save mental energy and avoid things that make us feel uncomfortable.
So how can you get tasks done, especially challenging ones, when you're tired and your mind is telling you it’s not worth the effort?
In the Mind
One method to look at things differently is called 'reappraisal.' In this example, you should say to yourself, “I’m going to feel better once I get this new process down on paper,” rather than repeatedly thinking, “I just don’t want to do this.” Also, remind yourself of the long-term benefit of getting the task done. For instance, you might consider: “Do I want to experiment with a new project management tool that may boost my team's efficiency, or do I want to stick with the same existing process that none of us feel great about?” This will make the easier path less appealing. By reframing hard work and envisioning an incentive, you're more likely to move past your instinct to avoid the effort, and convince yourself to just get it done.
In the Calendar
Schedule time to prepare yourself ahead of the task by setting mini-milestones, instead of one major one. Get these done early; not too close to your deadline. Reward yourself by revisiting the reappraisal method and then you'll find yourself better prepared to completed it.
In the end, people are often surprised how much easier it was to accomplish something. That's human nature. By doing the two things above, you'll be better prepared and achieve the outcome you want.