Procrastination. Can you relate?

Hola Sunday Afternoon Coffee-ites! (see what I did there?) I’ve been on the road this weekend and purposefully left my e-devices at home, so I’m coming to you from my lovely back porch on this peaceful Sunday afternoon instead of morning. During my normal post-writing time, I was sipping coffee on the sun porch of a beautifully restored Victorian home in central PA with my daughter and eldest grandbaby. Just a girls’ weekend road trip that was rejuvenating.

And you know, I needed a little rejuvenation. Don’t get me wrong, I have a pretty fabulous (albeit mostly boring, by American standards) life. Not much stress at this time, surrounded by family, happy home, fun hobbies, amazing friends, really interesting work…and even so, there are days where I feel a little bit discombobulated and discontent. Or just…I dunno…off. Just a little ennui. It usually manifests itself in the form of procrastination. Just putting off what I ought to be doing because I want to do something else, even when I have no idea what that something else is.

Do you feel me?

Procrastination is a common struggle for many of us, leading to stress, missed deadlines, and usually culminating in a sense of guilt. Like most behaviors that throw us off-track frequently or occasionally, with the right strategies, you can break the procrastination cycle and boost your productivity. In helping a client recently (I know, I know, it’s like “Hello Kettle!” says Pot), and to give myself a little kick in the right gear, I researched some common strategies to help with overcoming procrastination and achieving goals, added a couple of my own, and here they are, for your reading enjoyment (and hopefully personal edification):

Understand Your Procrastination Triggers

Identify the Tasks: Recognize the types of tasks you tend to procrastinate on. Are they work-related, personal projects, or household chores?

Time of Day: Notice if there's a specific time of day when you procrastinate more. For instance, are you more likely to delay tasks in the morning or late at night? Do you have a slump at 2pm every day? (Oh wait. That’s me).

Emotional Triggers: Pay attention to your emotions. Do you procrastinate when you're feeling overwhelmed, bored, stressed, or when your impostor syndrome is activated?

Set Clear and Achievable Goals

Break Down Tasks: Divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This makes them less daunting and easier to start. You know that whole “how do you eat an elephant” thing? There’s some validity in that. One bite at a time.

SMART Goals: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. This clarity helps in maintaining focus and motivation.

Create a Structured Schedule

Prioritize Tasks: Use techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance.

Time Blocking: Allocate specific time slots for different tasks. This helps in creating a routine and reducing decision fatigue.

Eliminate Distractions

Digital Detox: Limit your time on social media and other distracting websites. Use apps like Stay Focusd or Freedom to block distractions. Ditch the devices when you’re having down time (like a weekend with your favorite kiddos, for instance).

Organize Your Workspace: Keep your workspace tidy and free from distractions. A clean environment can improve focus and productivity.

Use Productivity Techniques

Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This method helps in maintaining concentration and preventing burnout.

Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. This reduces the buildup of small tasks.

Find Motivation and Accountability

Reward Yourself: Set up a reward system for completing tasks. This could be anything from a small treat to a break doing something you enjoy. For all of you educators, this is PBIS at its finest!

Accountability Partner: Share your goals with a friend or colleague. Regular check-ins can help you stay on track and motivated (I find my 8 year old granddaughter is a tough task master. If I tell her to stop me the next time she sees me about to do something, she does it with a ferocity that’s terrifying. And effective. Find a good truth-teller in you life and let them do their work).

Address Underlying Issues

Stress Management: Practice stress-relief techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises.

Seek Support: If procrastination is severely impacting your life, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor.

Reflect and Adapt

Review Your Progress: Regularly assess your progress and adjust your strategies as needed. Reflect on what works and what doesn’t.

Learn from Mistakes: This one’s huge. In a world where we value perfection and love to rag on failure, the fear of making a mistake can freeze us into not even trying. Go on. Do the thing, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up. Use setbacks as learning opportunities to improve your approach.

I hope those are helpful and that there’s something in there that resonates with you.

Overcoming procrastination requires a combination of self-awareness, practical strategies, and a commitment to change. By understanding your triggers and implementing strategies that work for you, you can break the cycle of procrastination and enhance your productivity. Remember…small consistent efforts lead to significant results over time. Start today, and take the first step towards a more productive and fulfilling life. Choose one thing you’ve been putting off and just get ‘er done.

Cheers my friends. :) Love and light to you.

P.S. If you’d like to talk about procrastination strategies and/or need some support an/or coaching, you know where to find me.