Lupinus Texensis: A Lesson in Overcoming Task Avoidance

Each April, I make several trips west of my Houston area suburb to take pictures of our state flower, the Lupinus texensis, familiarly known as the bluebonnet. Fields of grass transform into vast oceans of deep blue, so striking you have to take a second look to remind yourself you're nowhere near the sea.

Getting giddy over spotting the same wildflowers year after year might seem silly, but it is a powerful reminder that embracing the familiar with excitement can transform the way we experience the everyday.

And if you've ever carefully waded through a patch of bluebonnets for that annual family photo, you know it's not all picture perfect—itchy stalks, sticky leaves, Texas fire ants, even the occasional snake or wasp. Amid that field of wildflowers lies a meaningful lesson: tackling the uncomfortable or inconvenient is often the key to getting what you truly want.

Often, we get stuck on the very tasks that are crucial to our goals and vision. We know they need to get done, yet somehow they always end up last on the to-do list—pushed to the next week, or even further into the future. Kind of like this blog post… which I’m writing just days before my deadline!

So, the next time you’re faced with a task you would rather avoid, try these simple steps:

Reimagine challenges

Instead of seeing a task or a “have to” as a chore, view it as a step forward on your roadmap to success. Which parts of the task align with your strengths? What growth opportunities does it offer? What you do not need to do is waste time ruminating on why you are procrastinating or feeling stuck. Instead, redirect that energy toward how you can reframe the task—see it as a bluebonnet in a field of snakes, not a snake in a field of flowers.

Discover solutions

Next, consider how you can make this task easier, more fun, or feel less overwhelming in the future. Could you cross it off of your to-do list in one sitting at a cozy coffee shop? Maybe invite a friend over for moral support while you work? Why not play some motivational music to fuel your focus while you tackle the task? Focus on the positives, break the task into smaller steps, and maybe even reward yourself along the way. As the slogan says, just do it!

Flow forward

Finally, focus on the fulfillment and excitement you will feel after completing this step.

Before diving into the necessary task:

• Take a moment to settle your mind.

• Close your eyes and take 2-3 deep breaths.

• When ready, envision yourself successfully completing the task.

• Feel the satisfaction and momentum of having made progress toward what you truly want and need.

  
  

This simple mental practice can spark motivation, boost clarity, and make it easier to take the next step to keep flowing forward.❤️

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