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"Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday." – Napoleon Hill
Procrastination can be a block that interferes with your productivity, time and dreams. Many procrastinators say they work better under pressure. It’s that rush of adrenaline to finish a project and getting something done under the wire. There are an infinite number of things that could occupy your time other than getting that dreaded project done. But when it comes right down to it, putting off priorities is nothing but a habit.
Procrastination shows up in many forms at work. Distractions, intentional or not block you from getting things done. Email, Facebook, phone calls, texts can be only some of the distractions that get in your way of productivity. A problem with saying no and guarding your time can be another factor. Lastly, there are those added responsibilities when caring for others that leave you feeling there’s no time in the day for you. You feel nothing but drained, used up and just plain unhappy.
Putting off finishing a job has a price
Focusing on things other than work can hit your pocket book. Procrastination can hit your income, when you choose to do anything else but creating your next product or making important calls. When you stall working on an assignment, it seems like it’s taking forever to get it done. And, if fact it is. Never crossing a project off the list begins to create unnecessary stress on you. When you delay finishing a plan, it can be a total wet blanket on your passion and enthusiasm to get jobs finished. A big price procrastinators pay is having a block of time just for you. When you tell yourself that there isn’t enough time in the day for me, procrastination and distraction can be the culprits.
What it takes to get the job done
The bottom line is disciplined use of time is the secret to many people’s success- and stress reduction. Remember, the only thing you have control over in a sea of demands and work chaos are your thoughts. When you’re stressed, it is impossible to see your ability to feel in control of your mind due to chemical reactions in your body. It takes practice. But disarming the habit of procrastination can be the first step.
Break it down. Start by taking that one overwhelming project and divide it into smaller projects. Bite-size tasks can be a little easier to take on than that monstrous goal you’ve been putting off. The smaller steps can be put into those time slots that seem too short to start anything. Just chip away at that goal a little bit at a time. The key is action, not stagnation.
Practice the skill of focus. Practice focusing on 15 minutes of pure drive toward our goal. Nothing is allowed to distract you, of course unless there is an emergency. Guard your time toward your project. Increase the amount of time to focus without interruption. Remember, the subconscious mind has a way of undermining you when focusing on a task
Keep positive. Visualize the outcome of the goal. If you can’t see the end result then focus on one step you can take towards the activity. If you fill your mind with doubt, then that same reservation will show up during your work.
Ditch the habit of procrastination. Practice these skills and learn to be the director of your own destiny and happiness.
Lisa Birnesser
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post! I'm finishing something later today that I will be quite glad to not see again for a while.
Thanks, Catherine! it’s such a good feeling to finish a project.
I spent years as an adrenaline "junkie," Lisa, cramming as much into a day as possible. Focused, driven. (But as an entrepreneur in global markets, there was always someone awake somewhere.) Fortunately I never had an external event (such as an illness) put a halt to the behavior. The simple wisdom that comes with age was enough! Now I start by being more gentle in my expectations of myself … chunk projects down so I have multiple "done!" moments … and the rest follows nicely.
I love that, Sharon! Multiple “dones” are better than waiting for that one big pay off. Thanks!
Excellent post Lisa – you've included some very timely reminders here for me too! I love your tip in using 15 mins of pure focus time – it truly does allow the subconscious to come up with some excellent solutions too!
It does allow the subconscious to percolate- love that, Moira! Thanks so much!
Agreed! This is a powerful post with many lessons. Procrastination has cost many, much! I try not to but I fall prey from time to time as well!
It can sneak up on you for sure. Thanks, Anita!
Lisa, you're so right…procrastination does block happiness and when you said this: "the only thing you have control over in a sea of demands and work chaos are your thoughts."….that's so right! Love your advice to break tasks down into smaller pieces and to focus, focus, focus!
Thanks so much, Sherie!
Procrastination is something I face on a daily basis working from home. There are so many distractions and things that need doing.
Love your quote from Napoleon Hill – so true!
It takes an incredible will to work from home. There are so many distractions that can move you off course. Thanks!
Thank you Lisa, for sure bite-size tasks can be a little easier to take on than that monstrous goal you’ve been putting off. So so true, love it!
Thanks, Solvita!
This is spot on, Lisa – I couldn't agree more. Procrastination causes "things" to take on a life of their own that cause problems and set-backs far beyond the initial project. I also agree with your steps – especially the part about break it down.
Thanks, Lisa! Procrastination can set you back and create problems you didn’t have before.
Thanks Lisa! I really needed to hear this today. I have a couple of things on my list that have been here too long, because I keep moving them down to the bottom. I will put them at the top of the list for tomorrow and focus until they are done!
Awesome, Helena!
Although procrastination isn't something that plagues me (I am the opposite and have anxiety with things left unfinished!), I've worked with clients who are notorious procrastinators. This is a great post, LIsa!
Thanks, Meryl!
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