#GSD means get shit done, and is a hashtag/attitude that has been recently popularized to describe taking purposeful, complete action. It's really pretty straightforward.

In theory it is, anyway. In practice? Not so much.

After all - how often is it straightforward when you try to GSD? More accurately stated, how often does it seem really freakin' hard when you try to GSD?

If you're anything like me or my clients, the answer is ALL THE DANG TIME. Time, energy, and attention are simultaneously limited and pulled in a million competing directions. Many times, we simply do not want to do what we need to, or are so overwhelmed that even starting seems insurmountable. This is normal and to be expected...but that doesn't make it any easier to handle. Enter: 3 mindset principles + a two-part strategy to #GSD...when you really don't wanna.

Mindset Principle #1: Think Like a Scientist

Approach this with curiosity, not judgment or self-criticism. When a scientist conducts an experiment, they do begin by posing a hypothesis; however, if they discover their hypothesis to be false, it isn't personal. It doesn't mean failure, or that they were necessarily wrong or a "bad" scientist. In fact, despite the hypothesis not being correct, they still discovered useful information. They still got closer to their ultimate goal.

When you approach the two-part strategy, do it with the mindset of experimentation. Approach it as an observer, an objective person who is not "your own worst critic," as we so often are to ourselves. Being honest in your assessments is crucial, but do so with grace, not biting criticism. When we distance ourselves from our normal - usually negative - thought patterns (i.e., "I'm so lazy, I can never get anything done!") we can start to see them for what they are: stories, and nothing more. With that hurdle out of the way, we can begin to see the situation more objectively.

Mindset Principle #2: Always Do Your Best, Given the Circumstances

Those of you familiar with Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements will immediately recognize that this mindset principle is pulled from this classic book of Toltec wisdom. Always do your best, in every endeavor of your life, from grand to mundane...BUT acknowledge and accept that your "best" will vary from day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute. Your best when you are sick will be different from your best when you are well. Your best in your hobby will inevitably be different from your best in a chore. You can always do your best, without the pressure of perfection or expecting your best to be the same under all conditions. Not sure if you're doing your best or not? Give yourself the benefit of the doubt; more growth happens from a place of acceptance and love than from shame and guilt.

I highly recommend this book! Fast read but the lessons will stick with you forever.

Mindset Principle #3: Active Acceptance of Reality

A little bit of tough-love coaching for ya: Sometimes when we don't wanna...we still need to buck up and do the damn thing. Opting out isn't always possible, or perhaps opting out will lead us away from our ultimate goal of living our best life. In these cases, we can employ a practice I refer to as active acceptance of reality.

Here's the thing: reality is. Those negative storylines we talked above in Mindset Principle #1 can easily distort our perception of reality, but reality still is, aside from our personal perception. I don't like to say "it is what it is," because it has a tone of resignation. Just because reality is, doesn't mean we are powerless and should throw in the towel. Not at all! In fact, if we can actively accept reality as it is, we are then in an empowered position that is ready to take informed and purposeful action.

Now, you may be thinking, "That sounds well and good, Rachel...but how do I actually apply these principles to my life so I can #GSD?"

I hear ya. Mindset work can be truly life-changing, but oftentimes it can seem very "woo-woo" with little practical application. Here is a simple two-part, active strategy for doing exactly that.

Strategy, Part A: Identify the Sticking Point

The goal in Part A is to figure out why taking action isn't happening. Ask yourself: "What is hard here?" Remember Mindset Principle #1: approach this question without judgment, only curiosity. We simply want to inquire to ourselves about what is hard in this scenario. Keep in mind, there may be many answers. Find one to focus on first; this is a time when we want to get very specific, narrow, and focused. If we are struggling to take action, it is often due to overwhelm - the last thing we need now is MORE. Don't worry about the big picture right now. Instead, identify one thing that is hard, and again, be honest with yourself. When in doubt, go with the first answer that percolates. You can always repeat this same two-part strategy with other answers later. Some people may find it useful to journal on this topic.

Strategy, Part B: Microsteps

Once you know why (or at least what) is hard, you can start to take action. But not just any action: TINY ACTION. Microsteps, if you will. ;)

I'll give a specific and very common example: Starting a new exercise routine. Most of us have been there, so we can relate to the overwhelm, fear, and embarrassment that can often accompany starting exercise. If starting a new routine is hard (and it almost always is), then perhaps the answer to Part A's question of "What is hard?" would have been "Getting to the gym." This is somewhat vague - is it the time? the expense? the anxiety of being in a gym? - but even so, it is a great starting point. A microstep in this example would be to simply get to the gym. That's it - just drive there and park. Don't even think about going in yet. After a while of doing this, it won't feel as much like a microstep anymore, and you can take the next one. Perhaps the next microstep would be to walk to the front door. And the next to check in. And the next to walk to the locker room. And the next to actually use the locker room. And the next to walk out onto the exercise floor (even if you walk right back off again). At no point in this microstep strategy has this person even worked out...yet. But once they reach that level, they are more ready and confident than ever.

At each microstep, take your time. Get comfortable with it. This is highly individual, and there is no rush. It can seem as if precious time is being wasted, but I promise it is not, and here's why: you are creating a habit (or in some cases, breaking habits). This takes time, dedication, and focus. Each layer, each microstep, is its own habit. Rather than taking a HUGE step such as "getting to the gym" (to workout), we are breaking it down into each of its components and acknowledging that each component deserves attention. I always say, the true key to fitness success is consistency, and microsteps train consistency. By fully absorbing each habit change before moving on to the next, we are ensuring a solid foundation upon which to build. True, it may take longer, but I posit that this time is a worthwhile investment.

This strategy works with smaller "don't wanna" issues as well. Several years back, when my now-husband and I were first moving in together, I recall sitting among our boxes and belongings, feeling rather overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. I expressed this to him, and in true spirit (he is not the overthinker I am), he replied, "Don't worry about all the things yet. Just do one thing. When you've finished that one thing, do one more thing." Brilliance, I tell ya. That's why I love him.

Try it out! Apply these Mindset Principles + Two-Part Strategy to something in your life that you really don't wanna do, or are just too overwhelmed by.

Let me know: did it help? What is something you struggle to #GSD on?

Psst: I'm hosting a series of FREE sprint + stretch workouts in Austin, TX this August. Check out the deets here. If you're local, I'd love to see you there!

How to #GSD...When You Really Don't Wanna (or Are Too Overwhelmed to Start)