Posted on: Saturday, July 18th, 2009
In my ongoing quest to increase the level of boldness in all areas of my life, I must constantly deal with an old nemesis: procrastination. Based on my informal surveys I’m guessing many of you might struggle with this issue as well. Organizational psychologists label procrastination as pandemic in today’s workplace. Countless hours and profits are lost to this mindset. Moreover, stress and burnout increases as procrastination goes unchecked.
Definition
Procrastination occurs when we are faced with an uncomfortable task, and in submitting to the discomfort of the task we make up a story as to why deferring action is in our best interest. Classically defined, procrastination is counterproductive. Therefore the story/rationalization must be particularly juicy.
The most common story might be, “I don’t feel like doing that now.” Unfortunately, that’s not a particularly effective story as it does nothing to mask the fact that the action really does need to be done immediately. In this case, procrastination leads to guilt, and guilt to stress. (My apologies if I’m hitting too close to home on the topic!)
The Stories We Tell
Deep down we know when we are procrastinating, even as we know when we are telling stories. So we must start the process with awareness. You must become aware of the stories you tell yourself when you put things off (“It’s too hard”; “I’m not good at this”; “It’s not that important”; “I’ll do this later”).
Ultimately, you want to catch yourself telling stories. Awareness is half the battle. It’s not easy, but I can tell you from first-hand experience that it can be done. If you journal, this is a good thing to write down – those episodes when you catch yourself telling a story.
Action Ideas
First, when you hear the stories in your head go through this mental exercise. Give the voice in your head a face (not your own!), preferably a face you don’t like very much. Because you’re going to mentally take a swing at that face. You need to beat back the voice so you can feel the distaste in making up stories. I know it sounds goofy, but it works. You don’t need to berate yourself (“C’mon Jeff, you idiot – just do it”). Instead you can berate the voice (“Take that!”).
Second, when you hear the voice in your head telling a story, you can be honest in evaluating the task. Ask yourself these questions (and don’t make up stories in the answers!):
- Is this task really needed?
- Would it be counterproductive to put this off?
- Can I do this right this minute?
Third, set mini-goals. Think about working on tasks in 15-minute increments. You can actually get a lot done in 15 focused minutes, and who can’t commit to that short of a goal!
Finally, work on the fast things first. I know some say work on the hard things first, but if you’ve been delaying on things that can actually be done fairly quickly you’ll find a tremendous sense of accomplishment in knocking those items off the list.
The Reward
If you’re like me you’ll find tremendous satisfaction, a lessening of the guilt, and a tremendous peace of mind when you purposefully take on the uncomfortable tasks. You’ll sleep better. You’ll free up mental energy to invest in more creative pursuits. You’ll become more productive.
Re-read that last paragraph one more time. That’s a pretty powerful list of benefits for tackling these issues head on. Be bold, step up… and change the world!
Procrastinating can beat up even the best of us. It wears me down and has done so many times in the past. I find it creaping up when I am considering going to the gym or trying to make a phone call. But once I am crunching it out at the gym or making that phone call I go to an incredible mindset of accomplishment and satisfaction.
I learned accountability in the Marine Corps, if I don’t do this I will be held accountable. Let’s apply that principal, we know these tasks have to be completed before we free up our time, energy and receive that personal satisfaction. I suggest holding yourself accountable to your partner or best friend by communicating a task that you have been procrastinating and when you are going to complete it. Now they are going to hold you accountable in a positive way, a simple phone call from your accountability partner to encourage and congratulate can make a big differance.
I am going to start today and work to achieve that satisfication.
Procrastinating can beat up even the best of us. It wears me down and has done so many times in the past. I find it creaping up when I am considering going to the gym or trying to make a phone call. But once I am crunching it out at the gym or making that phone call I go to an incredible mindset of accomplishment and satisfaction.
I learned accountability in the Marine Corps, if I don't do this I will be held accountable. Let's apply that principal, we know these tasks have to be completed before we free up our time, energy and receive that personal satisfaction. I suggest holding yourself accountable to your partner or best friend by communicating a task that you have been procrastinating and when you are going to complete it. Now they are going to hold you accountable in a positive way, a simple phone call from your accountability partner to encourage and congratulate can make a big differance.
I am going to start today and work to achieve that satisfication.
Thanks for the posting. I really hate to clean the models and was finding ways to put it off until I decided to find ways to reward myself when I was done. This made it much easier to do and I was so relieved and happy to have accomplished these tasks. I set a day each week for certain tasks I dislike and when they are done I feel so much better.
So true.
For me Ive found that procrastination causes health issues…
My brain works like a giant post it note and if I have something left on it it keeps me from being to ‘present’ with my customers and my family at home so knocking out what’s on the giant post it clears me up for the world in front of me.
Thanks for the posting. I really hate to clean the models and was finding ways to put it off until I decided to find ways to reward myself when I was done. This made it much easier to do and I was so relieved and happy to have accomplished these tasks. I set a day each week for certain tasks I dislike and when they are done I feel so much better.
So true.
For me Ive found that procrastination causes health issues…
My brain works like a giant post it note and if I have something left on it it keeps me from being to 'present' with my customers and my family at home so knocking out what's on the giant post it clears me up for the world in front of me.
Procrastinating can beat up even the best of us. It wears me down and has done so many times in the past. I find it creaping up when I am considering going to the gym or trying to make a phone call. But once I am crunching it out at the gym or making that phone call I go to an incredible mindset of accomplishment and satisfaction.
I learned accountability in the Marine Corps, if I don't do this I will be held accountable. Let's apply that principal, we know these tasks have to be completed before we free up our time, energy and receive that personal satisfaction. I suggest holding yourself accountable to your partner or best friend by communicating a task that you have been procrastinating and when you are going to complete it. Now they are going to hold you accountable in a positive way, a simple phone call from your accountability partner to encourage and congratulate can make a big differance.
I am going to start today and work to achieve that satisfication.
As in so many of your issues Jeff, you have hit the nail on the head. Procrastinating leads to poor decisions about so many other things as you cannot focus on what NEEDS to be done now for worrying about the other thing that needed to be done yesterday.
Thanks for the tips!!!
As in so many of your issues Jeff, you have hit the nail on the head. Procrastinating leads to poor decisions about so many other things as you cannot focus on what NEEDS to be done now for worrying about the other thing that needed to be done yesterday.
Thanks for the tips!!!
Outstanding posts, all. It shows that there are so many different aspects to this topic, and all are extremely relevant.
Be sure to post your anti-procrastination, pro-productivity comments once you’ve taken action today!
Thanks for the posting. I really hate to clean the models and was finding ways to put it off until I decided to find ways to reward myself when I was done. This made it much easier to do and I was so relieved and happy to have accomplished these tasks. I set a day each week for certain tasks I dislike and when they are done I feel so much better.
Outstanding posts, all. It shows that there are so many different aspects to this topic, and all are extremely relevant.
Be sure to post your anti-procrastination, pro-productivity comments once you've taken action today!
So true.
For me Ive found that procrastination causes health issues…
My brain works like a giant post it note and if I have something left on it it keeps me from being to 'present' with my customers and my family at home so knocking out what's on the giant post it clears me up for the world in front of me.
As in so many of your issues Jeff, you have hit the nail on the head. Procrastinating leads to poor decisions about so many other things as you cannot focus on what NEEDS to be done now for worrying about the other thing that needed to be done yesterday.
Thanks for the tips!!!
Ooooh, yes, so close to home. In fact, I have been procrastinating giving some feedback on this blog (which ROCKS! by the way)…so here goes. (I’m still not too comfortable with all this new technology) Count this one off my list of things I’m procrastinating.
Ooooh, yes, so close to home. In fact, I have been procrastinating giving some feedback on this blog (which ROCKS! by the way)…so here goes. (I'm still not too comfortable with all this new technology) Count this one off my list of things I'm procrastinating.
Outstanding posts, all. It shows that there are so many different aspects to this topic, and all are extremely relevant.
Be sure to post your anti-procrastination, pro-productivity comments once you've taken action today!
Ooooh, yes, so close to home. In fact, I have been procrastinating giving some feedback on this blog (which ROCKS! by the way)…so here goes. (I'm still not too comfortable with all this new technology) Count this one off my list of things I'm procrastinating.
Hi Jeff, Over the last 2 weeks
You start out -with your “To Do List” really well and by the end of the week…..if business hasn’t picked up , I find myself
feeling the blues, and dissapointed, and that’s when the procrastination sets in…..
We all have it…………..
It take too much energy to not make those calls,
It messes up your home life-by having to even think about-what you haven’t done.
I just finished reading-Stop Procrastinating…(it was meant for my son) and i just started reading it…………now I have a list…a realistic one…and cross off daily…some days are still the pitts….but I am getting better at it all. And I feel so much better about myself .However small the accomplishment may look, it’s worth the freedom of negative continual thoughts.
Linda
Hi Jeff, Over the last 2 weeks
You start out -with your “To Do List” really well and by the end of the week…..if business hasn't picked up , I find myself
feeling the blues, and dissapointed, and that's when the procrastination sets in…..
We all have it…………..
It take too much energy to not make those calls,
It messes up your home life-by having to even think about-what you haven't done.
I just finished reading-Stop Procrastinating…(it was meant for my son) and i just started reading it…………now I have a list…a realistic one…and cross off daily…some days are still the pitts….but I am getting better at it all. And I feel so much better about myself .However small the accomplishment may look, it's worth the freedom of negative continual thoughts.
Linda
Hi Jeff, Over the last 2 weeks
You start out -with your “To Do List” really well and by the end of the week…..if business hasn't picked up , I find myself
feeling the blues, and dissapointed, and that's when the procrastination sets in…..
We all have it…………..
It take too much energy to not make those calls,
It messes up your home life-by having to even think about-what you haven't done.
I just finished reading-Stop Procrastinating…(it was meant for my son) and i just started reading it…………now I have a list…a realistic one…and cross off daily…some days are still the pitts….but I am getting better at it all. And I feel so much better about myself .However small the accomplishment may look, it's worth the freedom of negative continual thoughts.
Linda