Procrastination should be a four letter word!!
As much as I hate to admit it, I have been a life long procrastinator!!
Wow... it really feels great to get that off my chest and expose my dark little secret to the bright light of day.. lol
Now, you would have never known it just to look at me or my accomplishments... I am one of those people that works extremely well under pressure and produces some of their best work at the last minute. But its definitely, so much nicer to be able to plan things out and achieve them over time... much more relaxing and stress-free... the way life should be.
The opposite of PROCRASTINATION is ACTION
I know... if only it were that easy to change all of those excuses we use on a daily basis, into positive, immediate action. Well, its not so hard to begin changing those habits once you know that you have them. Whenever you have one of those procrastinating thoughts, immediately change it into its positive opposite.
" I can't sit and begin this article for my web site, I have to go and... um... scrub that dirty grout in my shower... yeah... that grout isn't going to scrub itself."
Instead, say to yourself " Yeah, the grout needs to be cleaned, but I'm gonna write my first few sentences before I do it."
You may lose the battle of wills at first, but each and every time you recognize those procrastination thoughts, and consciously decide to do a little of the task your trying to put off, before you allow the procrastination to win.... it will get easier to stay on task.
It also helps to know when you are most productive, and to try to accomplish most of your to-do list during that time period. I have found that my most productive time is in the morning and early afternoon, so I make sure to take full advantage of those most productive hours and accomplish at least 80% of my tasks while my mind and body are still working FOR me, not AGAINST me.
I find it works best when I outline my tasks or goals, then break them down into bite-sized steps and give myself deadlines in which to accomplish them. Somehow, seeing them written out on paper, and checking off the steps as they are completed makes it feel like I have accomplished something. I like to see my progress in black and white, not just 'knowing' that I have done it in my head
Recent Comments
11
Like you I used to produce incredibly good work under great pressure. And then I wondered why I lhad left it to the last minute in the first place.
Now I've learned that 'things in motion want to keep moving. And - you don't have to get it perfect, you just have to get it going' - whatever the 'it' may be. Which is just like your 'I'm gonna write my first few sentences before I do it.' This system works incredibly well for me.... procrastinator no more... :-)
Thank You!
That's so true... when I'm in motion, I tend to be incredibly productive.... I sit for a few minutes... it takes a lot to get me moving again. I'm definitely doing much better with it these days.
No way are you alone, JP. I think that at one time or another we are all guilty of the same thing. *smile*
Thank Yoy!
I know... mine comes and goes. There are some days when I am so incredibly productive... then some days, I sit down for a few minutes, and just seem to get nothing done. I definitely seem to have more productive ones these days, though
That's a great confession, lol! I'm actually writing a blog (will be posted later this afternoon) that may make you feel less guilty... :)
Indeed! I found it fun to read yours this morning, knowing you'd have a great excuse by the end of the day. :)
I am a fellow Procrastinator. There I said it! I too feel better if I can see it so, I have a notebook I keep at my computer & check things off. I am a creative person so anything visual helps me tremendously. Nice blog & keep them coming!
Gypsy :)
See more comments
Feel alone? I have known few people who did not have this tendency, The great ones are the ones who work at overcoming it and accomplish great thing, just as you are working to do!
Now that it is no longer a dirty little secret, enlightenment is allowed to work for you and eradicate the nasty little beast!
Thank you so much!! As long as I remain aware of my actions in the moment, I tend to choose to get my tasks done, instead of putting them off... but it's definitely easier when I am able to keep the big picture in mind.