If you have been reading my previous articles you will know these terms: Multitasking, Single Tasking, Cluster Tasking and Time Expansion. Today let’s add a terrifying word to this list Procrastination.
We all do it but for some it gets out of control very quickly. Before I go any further YES, Dick Betts suffers from Procrastination and I work on it every day in my personal and professional life! But some folks don’t attack it head-on as a result depression, anxiety, loss of production and even career changes can happen.
So, what is procrastination? Very simply, it’s duties and tasks you put off and find other tasks and activities to fill your time. Our nature is we want to do things that are rewarding, fun and enjoyable and when faced with either a boring uncomfortable, unpleasant task or a time consuming project, we bump it down our list of To-Do’s.
We need to find what works for us to overcome procrastination; one size doesn’t fit all. Some folks will reward themselves with a snack, food or drinks for finishing a task they really don’t want to do. Another way is to schedule fun activities right after completion of that really hate-to-do task– this is my trick I play on myself.
I believe the “To-Do List” is how to organize and control procrastination. On my Mac I have “Notes,” which syncs with my phone and tablet–if you have been following me you will know I am building out a 60-minute webinar on notes. I make a list of what I want to accomplish and as I finish them I have the pleasure of deleting each task from the list. If day after day the same task is showing up on your list you are procrastinating that task, do it!
Time to be honest, do an assessment of yourself! If you are a procrastinator –more than likely yes, to some degree– figure out why or what is causing you to be a procrastinator. Is it a certain task, dealing with certain people or uncomfortable situations? You know you are a procrastinator, you know why you are a procrastinator, now let’s figure out how we can stop being a procrastinator. Please do an honest assessment of yourself and decide every day you will meet procrastinating head-on so you have a much better outlook on life!
