Throughout the ages more has been written and less has been resolved about procrastination than most other topics. In “Man’s Search for Meaning” Viktor Frankyl wrote “after all is said and done, there is more said than done.” We all know when we SHOULD do something and yet we often don’t get to action. Why is it that we so often put off what we know we should do? Fear of failure, lack of time, enormity of task, and many other excuses are offered for our inaction.
The truth is those most proficient at avoiding procrastination accomplish more, have more spare time, are under less pressure, and generally seem happier. Nothing is more frustrating than to try to enjoy an activity with a nagging thought of what we should be doing. The fruit of procrastination is poor productivity, broken promises, incomplete projects, and ever- lengthening to do lists. Often tasks accumulated, though small in individual nature, become mountains that require large blocks of time feeding our tendency to do nothing. How then do we overcome the urge to put off until tomorrow what we should have done today? Deciding to take on the task NOW is the starting point.
Identifying that unattractive task and doing it or starting it gives the momentum and impetus to complete. During these latter years of my career I have enjoyed teaching various business classes. The interaction with students has been fantastic, but I hate grading papers. My students have one solution, don’t assign the papers. My solution is to come home and get started grading the papers. Most of the time once the grading starts it becomes an enjoyable process. When finished there is a sense of achievement that makes the next task easier. Complex, time consuming tasks are often the ones we put off, waiting for a block of time sufficient to complete the project. An old manager of mine often said “by the yard it’s hard, by the inch it’s a cinch.” Using little blocks of time to eliminate parts of the task is an important way to get things done and make good use of our time. A wise man once was asked when was a good time to get started and responded, “Do it now.” That’s a great way to overcome procrastination, “Do it NOW!”
The last three words in your blog are perfect ("Do it Now") to eliminate procrastination. Procrastination is a way of life for the indecisive person... they will put stuff off until it absolutely has to be dealt with and the constant nagging fact they will never be on top of their game holds them back. Most of the stuff I deal with at work comes across as email the minute I read an email that requires a response from me I deal with it. I already read it and if I close it and come back later I will have to read it again... waste of time, so just deal with it now. It's amazing what you can get done in a day if you are proactive and just knock stuff out... don't wait till tomorrow if you can do it now. In the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "Get-R-Done"!
ReplyDeleteDave
Excellently put. As a recovering procrastinator I am finding the "inch is a cinch" concept very liberating and effective in my ability to accomplish what I need to. If I can break things down "one event at a time" and work backwards from the ultimate goal to delineate what needs to be done day to day, hour to hour and even minute to minute I can greatly multiply my effectiveness.
DeleteI’m actually not too bad of a procrastinator. Especially if I have started something, I finish it. I hate having loose ends! I’m trying to teach both of my children that doing something sooner rather than later is what we should strive for. Just last week, I asked my daughter nightly if she had homework. She might respond with yes, she had a math worksheet or what have you but she also had a project that ‘wasn’t due until Friday’. Well, Thursday night came and it was melt down city. While she’s only 9, she learned an important lesson. Don’t put off what can be done today because we never know what the next day may bring. I believe next time she’ll start on her projects earlier!
ReplyDelete"By the yard it’s hard, by the inch it’s a cinch.” I love that new saying. I am going to make sure that I use that with my students that feel overwhelmed. I use this philosophy myself to stay disciplined and on top of all my assignments while taking online classess. I hear several people say that they are afraid to try online courses because it is too much work, and they don't think they could keep up. I have three children in sports, a full time job, an infant and full time courses and I keep up. I do atleast one to two hours of homework daily to stay afloat. It is about making sacrifices, putting things into perspective, developing a ploan of action and sticking to it. Of course I want free time, so I do all my work first, and the weeks that ZI don't procrastinate I end up with more "ME TIME"!
ReplyDeleteI was not raised in a "do it now" household so it is something that is difficult for me to do. But I have found that as I get older, it is easier to make myself to because I think I have come to know what is more important to me. It is not easy to get it done when there are so many responsibilities but I am hoping that I am setting a better example for my children. Then maybe the cycle can be broken or at least improved.
ReplyDeleteWhen I procrastinate a task or responsibility it does give me that nagging feeling and make it harder for me to enjoy the activity so I try to find ways to motivate myself not to procrastinate. One thing that helps me is a poster I found in a safety magazine with a picture of a guy in an office that has frayed wires dangling from the outlets, broken vents, damaged power cords and lots of trash everywhere in it and the guy looks confused and is saying where do I start? The caption below says in bold letters it doesn't matter where you start, just start. This is a great depiction of the statement "deciding to take on the task NOW as a starting point" stated in this blog. No matter what the motivation is getting it done today always gets rid of that nagging feeling and makes me feel better about enjoying an activity.
ReplyDeleteI can see where people that don't procrastinate have more time and are less stressed. They do it and move on to the next thing unlike myself. This week is very busy for my wife and me because we are moving. When I come home instead of packing boxes that I know have to get done I relax and watch TV. Then by the time I get motivated it's time for dinner and then I find myself packing boxes until midnight instead of sleeping. Yes, I’m eating the "fruit" of procrastination this week but we will get it done.
ReplyDeleteProcrastination is often followed by excuses. Time, stress, and I forgot, are the common excuses why we procrastinate. I think if we all do what you suggest and act on a task now, then we can move on. I am an expert procrastinator. I put off many tasks that would be easier accomplished had I tackled them early on. I usually end up paying in either lost sleep or time. Acting on the task NOW, would save me both time, and the sleep I keep losing.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand that nagging feeling of when something needs to get done. We have all had our moments of procrastination; some more often others. But I would rather just get it done than deal with the looming inevitable fact that something needs to get done. In fact, I have the Nike slogan “Just Do It” pinned above my desk that reminds to not procrastinate.
ReplyDeleteI love the "Do it NOW" phrase! I'm going to start using that. I also learned in another class to do the hard things first. This has really helped me overcome the worst of my procrastination. If you get the hard things out of the way, then you can sit back and enjoy the easy/fun things without that nagging feeling!
ReplyDeleteDo it now is the hard part. It's so easy to put thing off until we 'have' to do them. Just thinking about it though, and being reminded does help the motivation. Like having a friend that pushes you on when something needs done.
ReplyDeleteOn another aspect of this I have experienced people that seems to have put things off because they think someone else will do it. Ideas can run rampant but when its time to do it no one wants to take the initiative. This could be that fear of failure.
Anyway, thank you for the good words. I'm ready to start something!
"Do it now" is the hardest part for me. When I am tasked with writing a paper the hardest part for me is sitting down and starting to research. Once I have my sources, everything else flows. When I decide to procrastinate I cannot enjoy what I am doing. I am always thinking about what I have to do.
ReplyDeleteI had a teacher that really brought the "do it now" concept to life. She had 3 large milkbone dog treats to represent tasks we have to do and about 50 colored beads to represent what we want to do. She poured all the beads into a jar then tried to put the milkbones in, but they would not fit. She emptied the jar, put the milkbones in first then poured the beads in on top of it and everything fit. When we just "do it now" we end up with more time to do the things we enjoy.
-Natalie Mills
Procrastination is something that at one point or another has plagued us all. One of the hardest things for some to do is the harder projects or assignments right now. It is hard for me to enjoy myself or even rest knowing I have something to accomplish. One of the things I see people struggle with is proper time management. Many people have no idea how to manage a busy schedule without working all night or coming in early. I personally make a weekly tasker, this list is broken down into things on a daily basis to ensure I accomplish all tasks by the end of the week. So far it has not failed me and I very rarely have to work late or come in early due to me not accomplishing a task. When time is managed properly and procrastination is left out success of your tasks at hand will come much easier.
ReplyDeleteAhhh... Procrastination. I hate that word. Partially because I hate procrastination and think it's stupid and partially because I do it and it always ends up a stressful mess. I'm generally good with time management - everyone who knows me knows I live by my lists. At work I use the Tasks tool in Outlook to keep track of what needs to be done. Personally I use a task app that tracks and reminds me of even stupid little stuff like taking my medicine. Daily, weekly, monthly things are set to reoccur so I don't have to spend time each day creating my lists, simply add new items. I even have an app for all of my school work and their due dates. My usual philosophy is to do all the quick, small tasks first so that when I sit down to the bigger things that need more concentration, such as homework, I can actually focus. If I come home from work and have a pile of mail laying on the table, my purse and it's contents laying there, etc. I can't concentrate until all of that is taken care of. I feel like I have a clean slate. At work I also have to get those small things done first, my inbox cleaned out and filed as necessary (archive, tasks, calendar) before I can really work on big items. Others would think this is procrastination and say that I should "just do" those big things to get them out of the way but I don't think it is. Now I do tend to procrastinate when it comes to writing papers. Writing is not my strength so I tend to put it off and it usually doesn't end well.
ReplyDeleteI am very familiar with that nagging feeling. This week is a prime example not because of procrastination but simply because I knew I had a lot of school to do on top of work. There were times where I could have worked on school but after a long grueling day of work it was just easier to go to bed or relax. I got the work done when able and am turning it in on time. The other factor was the internet, I had none. I felt the pressure of school and there was nothing I could do about it. However, I was also not being proactive enough. There had to be a place on this camp with internet but my work duties took precedence. In hindsight there was plenty I could have done to not be in the situation I was in. In the end it all got accomplished and turned in, I will just work better to prioritize my time in the future.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Fullmer
This is my Bane for sure. I prefer the jobs where there are not deadlines. However, reports, replies, and follow-ups are always there for me to do. It is worse for me the first week of a new online class. It always seems I am doing all the weekly work right at the end. After that week, I follow how your mentor taught you, a little here, a little there. My goal is to finish by Saturday, this way I have a stress free Sunday to enjoy. Never happens the first week though.
ReplyDeleteI am an incredible procrastinator. Part of me thinks, or blames it on being over tasked. I typically find when I leave from one base to another they replace me with 2-5 people to do the same work load. at times i just push everything off but thats partially because if i did not I would never get home or be able to relax. The issue is as your post states I can't ever truly relax because something else is always going through my head.
ReplyDeleteI hate that I procrastinate. It is one of the things I try so hard to change about myself. I am a mother of 7 children, full time student, and wife to a military guy. Our lives are always turned upside down, but yet, I still chose to become a student. My husband retires in a few years and since our children will be older, I want to start a teaching career. This requires that I maintain all of my motherly and wifely duties at home, while at the same time carving out 30 hours a week for school work. I often find myself rushing at the last minute and it stinks. I often have to choose between going to a child's soccer game or staying home and working on a project. That stinks, too. I won't give up, just yet. I am too close to finishing, but procrastination has my number and I am working very hard to fix that.
ReplyDeleteWow, after reading this article I understand how much of a procrastinator I really am. Although ive really known my entire life that I do this, its never easy to find that motivation needed to achieve better results earlier. I would say my worst habit to procrastinate on is *shocking* schoolwork. Being in the military, I often am finding the weekdays less and less appealing to sit down and do homework after you already feel as if a full days work has been completed. Honestly, this six weeks session has been the first time that ive completed work during the week and not just crammed during the weekend.
ReplyDeleteProcrastination is one of my weaknesses. I seemed to perform better at the last minute but at times I feel as if my organization if thrown off because I take my time in performing. I have completed many of my assignments and missions last minute, but I also think its the lack of maturity.
ReplyDeleteProcrastination at its finest. It effects everyone. I always get on the ball game with my homework starting on Monday. But then sometimes I tell myself "well its not due until Thursday, let me just do it Wednesday". My homework quickly piles up and I'm stressed by the weekend. I need to make homework my main focus. Sometimes with life situations and excuses I just tell myself "its okay". I have to say, I always get my homework done on time even if I do it at the last minute.
ReplyDeleteGreat eye opener for this procrastinator!! I have really tried hard not to procrastinate, but it just seems to overcome me. The enormity and lack of time are my excuses for procrastinating. Getting it done NOW seems so simple. I began working this year and have not been able to make the balance between, family, home, school and work. I do not compromise family time, so I do my homework after the kids go to bed. Obviously, work can not be compromised. My home is definitely not as clean as it used to be and my laundry is never caught up. I think after reading this I can keep in the back of my mind how doing it NOW will help to eliminate procrastination. NOW, I need to go get my Christmas tree and decorations put away!
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit it but I am a horrible procrastinator! I have gotten better since enrolling in school over the past couple of years but there are always those little tasks that you dread to even start. I agree with you 100% when you said that even the smallest of tasks will build up. I sometimes find myself putting lengthy projects off but what happens is I eventually wait to the last minute and feel overwhelmed, normally rushing to get whatever the task is, done.
ReplyDeleteThe suggestion you gave about breaking up lengthy projects is great. I have learned recently with the coming of a million projects for student teaching, that if you set mini-goals it is easier to accomplish the tasks at hand. What I often do to set these goals/mini tasks is make a checklist organized by deadline. I sometimes fudge the deadline to trick myself into completing the task ahead of time. For me a physical checklist, not electronic, works best.
I am a scheduler which means I have a schedule for everything. I use my phone to remind me of my daily tasks and reminders for the upcoming ones. I quiet strict when it comes to sticking to my schedule, the only flexible time I allow myself to have is after dinner each night and after the kitchen is clean. I am a stay at home Mom but I ran my household as business. I get up an hour and a half before I wake the kids up in the morning, this allows me to drink my coffee and surf the internet or look at my agenda for that day and come up with a plan on how to tackle it. I know that if I do not accomplish one task on my list that it will add to my to do lists the following day and before you know it, things will start piling up. I am well organized therefore for things to run smoothly and in keeping with my organization everything must be done accordingly. I do have days where I am not up to par, for example these past two weeks with the cold weather , each one of us in this household had either a sinus infection, a cough, a fever of some sorts, therefore certain things I just was not capable in accomplishing. At times, it is good to slow down and just enjoy family time.
ReplyDeleteI feel I'm a terrible procrastinator. I can give excuses all day about why and you're right; it's a fear of failure or because the task is very large. If we could just focus on the sense of accomplishment after we've completed something, we wouldn't be having this discussion. As with school work, I know when my assignments are due. Some weeks I leave them for the due date to spend time getting other things done but nothing compares to the feeling of getting things done at the beginning of the week and having the whole weekend to be worry free with my family!
ReplyDeleteTest
ReplyDeleteMr. Wright,
ReplyDeleteI feel that I procrastinate a lot of times. I seem to put homework off as long as I possibly can to spend time with my family. I might be able to re-classify this as prioritization as my procrastination supports my family.
I think it's important to analyze your procrastination habits to determine if it's actually procrastination, if you find that your time is being used productively while you "procrastinate", you can absolutely re-classify it as prioritization!
V/R
-Ryan
Procrastination is something that I truly try and avoid. You mentioned it becoming a mountain and that is exactly what it becomes. I am the type of person that determines when I am going to do the things that I enjoy in life first and then plan to get everything else done accordingly. I don't want unfinished tasks to be what is always on my mind while I should be enjoying life. You said in your blog, "The truth is those most proficient at avoiding procrastination accomplish more, have more spare time, are under less pressure, and generally seem happier" and this could not be more on point. Because I do not procrastinate I do accomplish more, and when I say more- I mean things I want to do.
ReplyDeleteKrista
Mr Wright,
ReplyDeleteI have dealt with procrastination throughout my educational journey. Both in High School and College, the urgency felt from a closing deadline has a weird affect on me. I feel as though some of my best work comes from this sense of urgency. Although, with my career, procrastination hasn't helped in this area.
Studying is a boring, yet essential part of the promotion testing cycle. Reviewing job related and Air Force history is not only bland, but also includes topics you don't normally discuss on a day-to-day basis. I've been trying to fix my procrastination issues for some time. This is done with simple time management and effective scheduling of time for studying and school work.
-Lorin Beller
Procrastination is the silent killer. It is one of those beasts that hide in the weeds and waits till just the right time to spring an attack and disable you from doing anything. Like Chuck mentioned in his article, procrastination can lead to a lack of fulfillment and discontentment with one's self. I have personally encountered this early in my college career. I was getting involved in so much stuff that I had an ever increasing to do list and that led me to procrastinating the things that I didn't want to do. It came to that low of not feeling like I was doing anything worthwhile. A mentor of mine gave me this idea in a single word, "Nike". Nike is a code word for their slogan "Just do it." This is something that has helped me more than I ever could have been motivated before because it is a convicting message for just about anything that you have to do that sucks. If you embrace this idea, it doesn't negate that it sucks, just that you have to do it so get it done. This article gets at this same idea.
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit it, but sometimes I am a procrastinator myself, especially when it comes to schoolwork. I often times find myself waiting until the last day an assignment is due and complete all the course work on that date. This causes a lot of stress and usually takes up the majority of my day. As I have gotten older and more advance in school, it is very important that I complete my course work in a timely matter because the assignments are more complex and require a lot of time and consideration. I also like to keep the mindset of, "If I get it done now, I won't have to worry about it later".
ReplyDeleteSome of the reasons why I tend to procrastinate would be if any of the assignments require any type of writing because I despise writing with a passion. Also, if the assignments are hard or difficult to understand, I tend to get discouraged and put it off for later.
This was a very great motivation post and made me realize that I must DO IT NOW in order to be successful.
Lisa
Wow! I was just talking to my sister about how she is a procrastinator but for the issue she has in hand she getting things done and has to hang up. I was left with words in my mouth and now I know why. I had to reserve my comments for this blog.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness the post was not a punch in the face! I used to be a big time procrastinator. I do not consider myself the "Do it now" all the time person. The one thing that I do allow myself to procrastinate is when it's time to do housework. The kids, my education, and my husband come first in my to do list. I will however have to step up my "do it now" game.
I have always seen procrastination as a lack of desire to accomplish a task. Ill use of time, or a lack of time management skills not only prevents production in the flow of "you fill in the blank," but it also task saturates the individual or team. It is best to just do it, and earn the sense of accomplishment, then move to the next item. I get irritated when someone's lack of urgency directly affects my productivity because then my time becomes mis-managed and my own risk of falling behind becomes even more relevant. Procrastination can create avalanches of disasters if allowed at the upper levels of leadership/management. This inherently costs time...and time costs money!
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally enough, here I sit completing an assignment a few days late. How fitting that the topic should be procrastination, although it was not my intention as I have fallen ill this week/weekend.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in a household that did not tolerate procrastination. We raised and cared for horses, and if something did not get done immediately or on time, their lives could possibly depend on it. I have tried to avoid procrastination into adulthood, but sometimes I will really dread an assignment and just put it off. Some of the classes I have taken just seem somewhat pointless, so I will assume I am wasting my time by putting forth any effort. This is an attitude I hope to change as I progress into classes that are more important and specific to my degree.
This is one thing we all face. I was one of the worst because I would say I didn't know where to start or how to start. They say the first step is always the hardest and it is. When I stated back to school the first step was the hardest. After I took the first step it is amazing how the rest fell into place. I say we cannot achieve a dream without action. The same holds true with procrastination. We are unable to defeat it without action and steady progress no matter how small.
ReplyDeleteProcrastination is one of my biggest flaws! Along with the items mentioned above other reasons I tend to procrastinate is due to my discomfort of dealing with conflict. Most of the times with work I procrastinate because there is so much conflict within the office. I would rather put things off to avoid dealing with different personalities and attitudes, both of which makes me very uncomfortable. If I focused more on completing the task NOW I would have so much additional time to focus on things I actually enjoy doing. Guess I need to work on that.
ReplyDeleteI had always thought of myself as a procrastinator until one of my instructors for my business degree gave us a survey developed for a psychology battery that showed me otherwise. My typical week for school was and still is, start reading on Monday and finish on Tuesday. Examine the weekly discussion posts on Tuesday evening and through Wednesday. Write the posts on Thursday. My wife says I procrastinate by waiting until Thursday to do my posts, but I plan and evaluate what I want to write and then attempt to produce a good product. The survey I took years ago identified me as a person who will accomplish the task close to the deadline, but not because I am procrastinating, instead, because I sometimes over examine the topic in order to feel comfortable with completing the assignment. Knowing how I complete assignments has allowed me to schedule that way so I do not feel pressured because I already have the ideas I want to express and just have to put "pen to paper."
ReplyDeleteAs we think about procrastinations, I think that it is something that we have all battled at some point or another. I know I am guilty from time to time. However, the more that I think about the saying from Man's Search for Meaning "He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." The more that I focus on the why the better my time management becomes and as a result the amount of procrastination that I struggle with gets less and less. I also find the more physical exercise I get and the healthier I get the less I struggle with procrastination. I also think it has to do with you mental health, self confidence, as well as your spiritual health.
ReplyDeleteReferences
Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon.
Procrastination is a friend of no man. Like us all, I am guilty of putting things off. My time is very valuable, but I do waste it on things that I want to do, procrastination never the less. My oldest daughter was blessed with a ton of athleticism, but she was not the hardest worker when it came to practicing on her own. She figured her talents would be enough. She went on to get several full ride scholarships to some decent schools, but never got offers from the main schools she was interested in attending. Several of the girls she played soccer with, who were not as talented, but hard great work ethics received offers that my daughter did not. This was a valuable lesson about procrastination taught to my daughter.
ReplyDeleteFor me, procrastination goes beyond fear of failure, lack of time, etc…I have always been the type of person that liked doing things when I wanted to do them. My mother calls it being stubborn. Because I do realize how valuable time is, I try to stress the importance of it to my children. Once it is gone, it is gone.
Darius Jimerson
This blog really pointed out how often we blame something for our lack of effort. I can recall many times where I have stated, "Oh, I just didn't have time" or "Well, I had so much to do today and I could not do the dishes." However, I know very well that I could have easily taken five minutes to stop and make time. Instead, I watched t.v. or went to the store for things I did not need.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I procrastinate over the little things such as dishes, putting gas in my car, taking out the trash, etc. However, when I do decide to complete the tasks, I do feel accomplished. For instance, when finishing the dishes, my house looks nice, which makes me feel nice.
When I complete these little tasks, I feel accomplished and it really does make my day that much better. Great read!
Michele P.
Michele,
DeleteI can relate. I procrastinate the most over putting gas in my car. Then, I forget that I need gas and don't realize until I'm on my way somewhere and it ends up making me late. Professor Wrights words "The truth is those most proficient at avoiding procrastination accomplish more, have more spare time, are under less pressure, and generally seem happier." really rang true with me. I want to have more spare time, feel less pressure and be happier and I know eliminating some of my procrastination can help with this. It is definitely one of my goals for 2019!
Michele,
DeleteI can relate. I procrastinate the most over putting gas in my car. Then, I forget that I need gas and don't realize until I'm on my way somewhere and it ends up making me late. Professor Wrights words "The truth is those most proficient at avoiding procrastination accomplish more, have more spare time, are under less pressure, and generally seem happier." really rang true with me. I want to have more spare time, feel less pressure and be happier and I know eliminating some of my procrastination can help with this. It is definitely one of my goals for 2019!
-Jessica Lacey
Professor Wright,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great and honest look at procrastination. We are all at fault of procrastinating. I do believe that I have become much better at it as I grow older. I am guilty of telling myself that I need to hold out for when I have a certain length of time to do more time-consuming tasks. Often times, this leaves me feeling frustrated and not fully committed when I’m doing other tasks, because I’m thinking about the lengthier tasks I need to work on. For example, I sometimes feel frustrated at work because I think that I need to be at home working on school work. Or, when I over-commit myself, which I do way too much. I think your suggestion of “by the yard it’s hard, by the inch it’s a cinch” is a productive way to tackle all of life’s tasks. I have told myself for awhile now that I am going to try to work on school work in smaller time increments instead of waiting until I have a larger amount of time available but I have procrastinated in actually following through. Your post and many of the comments have given me the push and reality to check to actually put this plan into motion. I originally planned on waiting until Saturday, when I have the whole day free, to start and finish my paper. However, I have decided that I will start on my paper tonight after work because I do not have tutoring or babysitting tonight. Plus, I think working ahead can allow time for reflection of your work so far and this might help you to develop more insight for your projects. I wish I could go work on it 'now' but I have to leave for work!
-Jessica Lacey
Oh procrastination! Something that I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. This is the main flaw in myself that I wish I could just flip a switch and change but I can never talk myself out of it. Not that I am a lazy person by any means but, like you stated, I am always searching for that perfect block of time that will allow me to finish the thing I have set out to do. If I don't think the time frame is adequate, I will make sure to find a task that can be completed in that time. I think the best advice I've heard is to just get started. I love the quote from your manager, “by the yard it’s hard, by the inch it’s a cinch.” I need to just convince myself to make as much progress as I can with the time I have. Thank you for your insight.
ReplyDeleteBrooklyn
I feel there is no greater waste of time than the time spent dwelling on something that we don't want to do. With procrastination, we get inside our own heads. We compromise with ourselves. "I can do this later because...". Still, procrastination is a hard thing to avoid for many people, myself included. I think it helps to look at the end result rather than the effort of the task. It is a huge relief to take something off my plate. It is something I continuously work on.
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely written for and directed at ME! I am, and always have been, a procrastinator. No great "reason" why. I'm not even sure when it started. What a found out at the beginning of classes this past Fall, is that when I manage do complete something far ahead of the due date, I will continuously go back and edit it. WHich will cause me to stray away from my ideas and original topic. I am a overthinker and depending on the task, this is isn't a great characteristic. I learned that thinking about the task/assignment, mapping it out and then executing it days before is the best way for me. I don't watch nearly as much TV as the people around me. Coworkers, husband, children, neighbors. I feel guilty when I do so because I feel like there is something that I could do something more productive that watch TV.
ReplyDelete