Once you realize the issues that cause you to go into procrastination mode perhaps you can step back and start to consider the options available to you that will prevent the delay and help you to move forward more successfully with the key tasks you must and should accomplish in any given day in order to be productive and efficient.
Dealing with emails: try to set aside a specific time to spend on your emails so that you do not have to check them every five minutes as this is not efficient. In addition, organize them in appropriate files so that when you need to locate a particular piece of correspondence you can find it easily and quickly. That also means to only keep those emails that are pertinent and necessary and deleting the rest.
When you are not sure how to do something: this is when asking for advice on how to do a job might be a good idea. There is no shame in asking for help and in the end you will learn something new and increase your abilities.
Make sure to set deadlines: as mentioned above, when there are no deadlines, tasks tend to be put off and if it is actually something important you can end up in trouble if you have waited too long before finishing the job. Deadlines tend to give you the necessary parameters for accomplishing any given task.
When the project seems too big: breaking a large project up into smaller pieces will help to make it seem less overwhelming. Then you will have an easier time prioritizing the pieces and can perhaps delegate some of those pieces to appropriate others if necessary and beneficial to the outcome.
Reward yourself when a big project has been completed: there is nothing wrong with promising yourself something you want or deserve once a project or goal has been reached in the predetermined time frame. Having something to look forward to can be a great motivator to accomplishing things that are not your most favorite so that you can do something that is more fun or more to your liking.
Sometimes you just have to “swallow the frog”: when a particularly unsavory job has been hanging over your head it is best to just do it! You will feel so much better when that task is behind you, it will be like a great weight has been lifted off your shoulders and you will feel free to get on with other tasks that you enjoy more.
Remember that you concentrate best in 15-20 minute intervals: Small time frames set aside for specific jobs allow you to exert full focus and concentration so that you can do the job to the best of your ability in one effort. Get your colleagues to allow you those interrupted times so that you can accomplish tasks that are best done with your full attention. Break for hydration and snacks to keep you able to concentrate fully.
Remove distractions: turn off the sound on your computer and phone (or put it on silent) so that you do not hear every email and text that arrive as this will affect your concentration and prevent you from working effectively.
If you exercise these strategies you will find that you are procrastinating less and actually getting more done and in shorter time frames. This will allow you more time to spend doing the things that you love and having more time to spend with your family and friends, too.
Procrastination is common for most of us, it just takes a little commitment to the employment of some approaches that will reduce that lost time and make you more efficient and productive. Your colleagues will appreciate your efforts and likely so will your family and friends. In addition, by doing so, you will greatly reduce your stress and the pressure you have put yourself under when you have procrastinated too much.
One of the best antidotes to procrastination is setting up a personal reward system for results, not tasks.
All good points. Another part I’d love to add the psychological factor. When we’re happy, we tend to procrastinate less. When we surround ourselves with people that don’t procrastinate, we tend to procrastinate less. When we go to the gym and start getting toned up, we get that strong feeling that we won. And when we feel we can win, we tend to procrastinate less.
When we feel we’re a winner, we tend to procrastinate less.
Excellent point Chris
Excellent point, Chris, we are better at everything when we are happy and that is why a positive attitude can be so helpful in all aspects of our lives. Also when we are fit we have more energy and drive, so usually can get more done. Thanks for sharing!!
Doing what you love in life inspires you to be better and inspires the people that work with you.
True, Larry. I couldn’t believe that people paid me for having so much fun. I was one of the lucky ones, I guess.
All good points. Unlike Chris, my playbook is to get the nasties our of the way first thing and then I have a brighter day.
I also think it important to note the difference between strategic delay and procrastination. Wisdom is knowing the difference.
I love your last sentence Wisdom is knowing the difference.
Yes, Ken, there are some things which can be delayed as other jobs may take priority and that is fine. We really have to get things done before they turn into a crisis, so prioritizing is key.
Sandy, I do just the opposite from Chris. I try to get the most hated chore out of the way first thing and then the day looks brighter.
We should also realize that there is a difference between delaying to collect more data or to let a situation mature and procrastinating. Procrastination is a delay for no legitimate reason. Wisdom is knowing the difference.
That reminds me of the book Eat that Frog.
Yes, Larry, one of my favourite sayings regarding procrastination! Glad you mentioned it!
Hi Ken & Chris,
Thanks for sharing your ideas….this just goes to show you different things work for different people and why this is not “rocket science” and there are really no wrong answers because what works for you is right for you!
Appreciate the input from both of you!
To beat procrastination, I first do something I really love to do. I build up my energy reserves. Then I deplete those reserves doing the things I hate.