I sit at my desk, completely confuddled and bemused. What the heck to write about for my GW MCA-I president’s column? Agh! If only I hadn’t waited until the last possible moment. If only I had planned ahead and had a list of good, sturdy topics to pick from. I wouldn’t be here flailing around aimlessly, all panicky and stressed. But I’m sure I’m not the only one who procrastinates. Sounds as though Mr. or Ms. Unknown is no stranger to my malady.
If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done. ~Author Unknown
Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday. ~Author Unknown
The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up. ~Author Unknown
Granted, procrastination isn’t always a bad thing. Some people work better under pressure. The anxiety and adrenalin combine to provide the necessary creative burst which propels the project forward. But if left unchecked, it can fester and grow and run exponentially over neat and tidy timelines, throwing the entire universe into disarray.
The word procrastinate comes from the Latin procrastinatus, formed from pro (forward) and crastinus (of tomorrow). In other words, “put it forward to tomorrow” or “do it tomorrow.” According to The American Heritage Dictionary, to procrastinate is: “To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness. To postpone or delay needlessly.”
See. That was a pretty slick example of procrastinating… throwing in a definition when I knew that you already know what procrastination means rather than racking my brain for relevant content.
We procrastinators may delay work for several reasons. The task may be just plain unpleasant, and who wants to do unpleasant work. (It’s a wonder proctologists get anything done.) The project may seem huge, with no easy starting point. (Trying to fund a documentary for instance. Been there, and after a lot of agonizing and some procrastinating, got it done. Whew!) We may be distracted by unrelated factors, like lack of sleep or worry about a family member or friend. (Just last week my second cousin’s hair stylist got a paper cut, and it was all I could think about.) Our obligations-meter may be tipping to “overload” or in some cases, ready to just collapse from shear volume. We may be just a teeny-weeny bit disorganized. Or, it just may be our style.
Whatever the reason is here are seven solid tips to help you overcome procrastination
-
Repeat after me: Just do it! Instead of thinking of all the reasons why you don’t want to do something, well - just dig in and start!
-
Understand that procrastination is a habit - one you can break. With some time, self discipline and diligence, you can create a “counter habit” of starting projects in a timely manner.
-
A large project is only a series of smaller tasks. If you’re putting off a job, try breaking it into small, prioritized action steps. Then take one small step, followed by another, until the task is done.
-
If you are really dreading a task, try doing it right away or first thing in the morning—don’t give yourself time to think about it. Maybe you can plunge in by accomplishing the easiest part of this unpleasant task first; once you do, you’ll find it easier to continue. Or maybe your inner wiring would respond to doing the most difficult part first. Experiment. Find what works for you.
-
Plan to celebrate or otherwise reward yourself when you complete something you’ve put off. Treat yourself to a movie, get a double-scoop ice cream cone, or take a relaxing walk.
-
Go public with your goal. Tell your friends and co-workers about the task you’ve set for yourself. Doing so sets you up to be accountable to others as well as to yourself.
-
Stay positive. Do not say “I am a procrastinator” to yourself (or others, because that’s how they’ll view you). Instead, offer yourself phrases like “I get things done” or “I don’t waste time.”
I’m starting right to develop my “counter procrastination habit.” Just as soon as I’ve had a walk, and an ice cream cone.
Sue