- Are you a procrastinator?
- Why do people procrastinate?
Hello, my name is The Edward Jones; I am a procrastinator. I deal with it every day. Outsiders perceive me to be organized, purposeful, and disciplined. Believe me, it takes conscious effort. For example, I get up in the morning with great intentions. According to my to-do list, I am first scheduled to pray, meditate, and do yoga. But I pick up my cell phone. I tell myself I’m going to just check the weather and see how many emails have piled up overnight. The next thing I know 20 minutes have passed. I get caught up with sports, entertainment, or political news. Then I start looking for inspirational quotes and affirmations that I can repost on Facebook or LinkedIn. Then I snap out of it when I remember the to-do list. Charles Dickens is right, “Procrastination is the thief of time.”
According to a procrastination article written by Tatenda, that appeared in the April 7, online issue of the Daily Motivation, procrastination can be caused by health issues, stress, perfectionism, or lack of confidence. I can’t claim any of those issues. Pressure seems to motivate me. My experience as a quarter-miler is a good illustration. I would hang back until the last curve then kick into high gear for a strong finish. I didn’t always win with that strategy, but usually finished in the top three.
Knowing why you procrastinate is important. I will probably continue to procrastinate, but to a lesser extent now that my why is clear to me. Whether you figure out your why, here are some things you need to do to mitigate the undesirable effects of procrastination in your life.
No matter the cause the first thing you must do is recognize that it is an issue and if you don’t control it, it will control you. The second thing is to hold yourself accountable by using timed tasks. For instance, you might schedule 30 minutes to do bills, 90 minutes to write a blog, 45 minutes for marketing, etc. turn off your cellphone and remove other distractions during your timed blocks. Take 15-minute breaks to check social media or talk with family and friends. I used timed blocs and got a lot more done and actually had more free time. Third, give up trying to multi-task. Giving your full attention to one task at a time is less stressful. Fourth, get a no-excuses accountability partner. Enough said. These tactics worked for me. If they don’t work for you, find what does. Change your thoughts, change your destiny.
What will you do to make your workplace better? If you would like to discuss the possibilities contact me at info@prodestinycoaching.com or visit my website: ProDestinyCoaching.com