Working Smarter: Getting Past Procrastination

It’s Monday and you’re all in.  You’re going to tackle that project this weekend!

You go to bed on Friday, still determined to get the job done.

Saturday you wake up uninspired with very little energy—just enough energy to lift the remote.

Maybe you just need to wake up a little bit.  You roll over and turn on the TV, promising yourself you are only going to watch for a little while.  One show becomes two…  The family’s going out for lunch.  You decide to tag along. ..You continue to come up with excuses.   Procrastination rules the day.  It’s late in the day and you haven’t even started.

What happened?  Where did all that motivation go?

For whatever reason, it appears you have fallen victim to procrastination.

Now might be a good time to ask yourself a few questions starting with…

1) Was the plan too ambitious?  Too time consuming?

Maybe your week was busier than you expected and you are genuinely beat.  Maybe the plan was always unrealistic.  Try breaking the task up.  Make the it smaller.  Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much at once.  Work for half an hour.   Set a timer and ready-set-go.  Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to continue after time is up.  Get started and see what happens.

2) Am I uninspired?

Let’s face it, not every task you do is going to rock your world.  Cleaning house, for instance, rarely brings enthusiasm—unless you’re someone who loves to clean.  Reward yourself for doing it anyway.  Do something nice for yourself.  Buy flowers.  Get a massage.  See a movie.  Try writing rewards down on bits of paper.  Fold them and put them in a jar. As you complete the task or allotted  time for the for working on that project, pull one out.  Make sure it’s a reward you really want and make sure you do it.

3) Am I afraid?

Maybe you’re working on something that will be viewed by others.  Completion means it’s ready to be seen.  People may judge you.  So what?  Nobody’s perfect.  Do the best you can.  Next time you can do better.  Do it.  You’ll be so proud of yourself.

How do you get past procrastination?

Make sure your To Do list isn’t too long.

3-5 of the most important tasks or errands should be long enough.  It doesn’t have to take all day

Clear distractions

If you work better with music, great.  If not, turn it off.

Remember to take breaks

Taking a break will  give you a chance to regroup and help you work smarter.  It can give you perspective.  A chance to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t ,or simply time to clear your head.

Just Do It

The most important step is the first one.  No matter how long the project, there is an end in sight if you keep yourself motivated. Keep showing up.  You will get it done.

 

How do you procrastinate?

What tricks get/keep you going?

 

 

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