*Get others involved. When we had to clean out storage area in our basement, we got entire family involved. We set aside a Saturday afternoon, and with all of us going at it, making jokes about what we found, job went smoothly and quickly.

*Attack that chore first thing in morning, before you've had time to start dreading it. Then you'll feel good, and proud of what you've accomplished, for rest of day.

*Focus on how good it will feel to have that task done. Visualize a clean, shiny refrigerator or an empty "To File" box.

*If you can carve out time, schedule one day when that nasty chore is only thing you have to do. For example, on my bookkeeping mornings, I don't have to do filing or work on my marketing plan.

*Give yourself a reward for completion. Celebrate that you've got it done!

*Finally, is this something that you, and only you, have s do? What would happen if you didn't do it, or delegated it to someone else, or even hired someone to do it for you? Will world come apart at seams if your spouse does laundry instead of you? Will your business grind to a halt if you don't get everything filed away? Sometimes just letting go of "have to" removes enough stress to make chore bearable.

So next time you find yourself facing a chore you abhor, take a few minutes and find a way to make it just a bit more pleasant. Not only will that chore go more smoothly, but rest of your day will, too.

NOTE: You are welcome to use this article online in electronic newsletters and e-zines as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including "about author" info). If use of this article is desired in print, you must first contact Lynn Cutts at Lynn@ManageYourMuse.com.

Copyright 2005 Lynn Cutts

4. Using a smudge stick, candle, or incense, devise a ceremony to purge your Critic from your work space. Perform your banishing ceremon whenever its voice gets a little too loud.

5. Draw a picture of your Critic, with a balloon coming out of his mouth. Write its favorite negative phrase in that balloon. Then burn picture, rip it into shreds, or crumple it into a ball and step on it.

6. Talk to your Critic. Thank it for caring, but it needs to go away now. Politely but firmly ask it to leave. Keep asking until it goes.

7. Take a break. Go outside, and reconnect with creative energies that flow all around you.

8. Go for a walk or a run. Go to gym. Do something physical that will help you focus on now.

So next time you hear that little voice whispering not-so-sweet nothings in your ear, get rid of it! Quickly. Then get back to work on what really matters.

NOTE: You are welcome to use this article online in electronic newsletters and e-zines as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including "about author" info). If use of this article is desired in print, you must first contact Lynn Cutts at Lynn@ManageYourMuse.com.

Copyright 2005 Lynn Cutts