Three years ago, I spotted a troubling pattern on my to-do list. While I tackled urgent and straightforward items promptly, others lingered at the bottom for months. Staring back at me accusingly.
These tasks shared two traits: no deadlines and extreme unpleasantness.
More than cluttering my lists, they fueled daily anxiety.
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For instance, passing a swerving semi-truck on the freeway reminded me I still hadn't created a will to protect my children. Or watching my 2-year-old hit another milestone brought a grimace as her baby book gathered dust, with "complete baby book" stuck at the list's end.
As a mom of two and business owner, these tasks never fit my packed schedule. I'd choose anything else over facing them.
My solution? Invent a fake holiday: National Unpleasant Tasks Day (NUT Day), the first Sunday in June.
Unlike holidays that leave you overstuffed and unsatisfied, NUT Day turns discomfort into satisfaction.
It's a day free from self-criticism—a time to grit your teeth and get it done. Scheduling that overdue doctor's visit. Clearing gutters clogged with mud and sprouting seedlings. Boldly asking for a raise.
NUT Day flips traditional holidays: antisocial, no parties or gifts, just action. Yet, amid the discomfort, euphoria builds with each checked-off item. No post-holiday cleanup—just relief.
My inaugural NUT Day was a triumph. I got house painting quotes (avoided for months; done in five minutes). Organized tax slips for quarterly mailing (five minutes). "Fired" an underpaying client (under five minutes).
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Key lesson: Most dreaded tasks require minimal time to start—a call, email, or quick research. Momentum carries you forward. Bigger ones, like the baby book, feel less daunting once begun. Finishing beats starting.
Bundling them into a "bouquet" of unpleasantness is exhilarating. Each win fuels the next, boosting confidence. By day's end, I felt unstoppable—like a true celebration.
NUT Day's magic? It imposes deadlines on eternally procrastinated items, like wills.
Excited by the results, I shared it with friends and on social media. The next June, my network joined in.
Some tackled one or two life-improvers; others powered through lists. A few even had minor surgeries.
Here’s what friends accomplished last year, capturing NUT Day's liberating thrill:
“Finally transferred my IRA after eight months.”
“Cleaned my damn oven—and loved it!”
“Sorted closet, bagged old clothes, loaded them in the car.”
“Untangled desk power cords. Felt free.”
“Sent 100 overdue professional emails.”
“Got a vasectomy. Not bad!”
For the third annual NUT Day on June 4, I'm blocking my calendar. My list awaits: better cell plan, unsubscribe from spam.
Can't wait. Join me?
Related: How to trick your mind into doing things you hate to do
