On procrastination
Unsurprisingly, this article came to life when I was trying to write a different one (and was supposed to do maybe 3 other things as well). So, since I really wanted to avoid just scrolling through the gram and all the other voids of the internet… here we go.
The official definitions of procrastination I found online are "to be slow or late about something that needs to be done" and "the action of delaying or postponing something". Honestly, calling it 'the action' sounds very funny to me. It is not just an action – usually, it is a thousand actions that have nothing to do with the one thing you actually need to get done. Sometimes, I think my brain is a teenager. Whatever I am supposed to do, I feel like I need to trick him into getting it done. Like.. let's not even think it way too loud because he will do the exact opposite. For example, whenever I give myself a timeline to write something specific, it literally feels like when we had to write an essay in high school. Even though now I actually enjoy doing it and do it voluntarily. I would set up a time that works well with the rest of my plans and schedule, sit down to write it, look around.. and start cleaning my desk. Then I go get a bit of water or make some tea. Then I realize it is getting pretty late, so I better get something for dinner already as well. For the first time ever, I enthusiastically do dishes right after, and of course, I feel great about myself for being so diligent and getting so much done. I even fold the laundry that has been waiting for its moment all day. When I finally sit back at the desk to start writing, I realize it is way too late. Even though I might not be too tired yet, I convince myself it probably makes sense to get some rest after the busy evening of cooking and cleaning. I will do it tomorrow when I'm fresh. At this point, I'll leave the 30 reloads on random social media platforms plus my mailbox to the reader's imagination, feel free to place them into the story wherever you see fit. Does that sound at least somewhat familiar to you?
“Tomorrow (noun): a mystical land where 99% of all human productivity, motivation and achievement is stored. ”
Staying with definitions (and honestly, isn't that a great way to put off getting into the actual core of this article), I'll throw in a personal one: "an impenetrable force field, with the strength and resistance of a solid wall, that surrounds the task at hand, successfully prevents completion, and renders all attempts at progress futile". While I'm not sure how well does that go with any real research on the topic, it accurately represents the feelings I have about it. So, now that we have this out of the way, it's time for the question of all questions: how to get through it?
Before you go with your head against the wall, think about what you want to do in the other room. While this quote originally related to stubbornness, however, it has a point here as well – we just need to flip it around and start from the end. And I know I keep mentioning this a lot, but it just makes so much sense: return to your why. Why do I need or want to get this done? Why would it be good for me to get it over with? Why is the task or the timing of its completion important? Reminding myself of the true reason and purpose behind it often makes it much easier for me to just suck it up and get into it.
Break it up into smaller pieces. Sometimes a task seems so incredibly ugly just because it seems like a lot. By splitting it up into specific and achievable milestones, you will feel much less overwhelmed, which obviously makes getting started way easier.
Set yourself up with a reasonable reward. I sneaked 'reasonably' in on purpose. It might seem appealing to book yourself a weekend trip for cleaning out your cluttered wardrobe. Still, it does not come across as a very appropriate reward for the task at hand, does it? At the same time, this one might be tricky to be disciplined about, especially if we're left unsupervised. If nobody sees it, it is very tempting to enjoy the reward anyway. Like – nobody knows, nobody gets shamed, nobody gets hurt, right? It may sound as innocent as "it doesn't matter if I have a snack now, I can work out later". Therefore...
Get an accountability buddy. Make your goals public and visible. This does not need to mean posting every item on your to-do list in your Facebook status for everyone to see. However, sharing your goals with someone, who will in exchange check in on you and cheer you on in the process makes it much more difficult to silently chicken out.
And finally, my favorite - "eat the frog first". In case you have missed the article on prioritization, here is the link, so you know what I'm talking about. And if you're asking, "how on earth am I supposed to do that? Hasn't she noticed we're talking about procrastination here!" – I've got you. Whenever you find yourself just ready to dive in but tiptoeing around, go with the 5 seconds rule by Mel Robbins. Whenever you feel compelled to take an action, start counting from 5 to 1. When you reach one, just start. Your brain will focus on the countdown instead of the racing thoughts full of excuses. Once you 'mindlessly' start, it will be much easier to keep those thoughts at bay and continue.
So, which one sounds like your new go-to? I've gone with the 5 seconds rule many times in recent weeks, and it has never failed me. And if you have any strategies of your own, let me know down in the comments too!
