Procrastinating? 20 minutes is your friend
February 26th, 2010 Posted in Time Management & Productivity
Do you ever procrastinate?
Procrastination is the habit of not getting started, putting things off till the last minute. It results in missed opportunities. stress, and a life full of clutter.
These 7 tips for dealing with procrastination will help you take charge of your life. As you read these, think of something you’re procrastinating about right now and see how these tips relate - I know there IS something you’re procrastinating about!
1. Ask yourself: Does this project or action match my vision or purpose? Is it something really important to me? If not, why are you thinking about doing it?
2. What are you telling yourself? Are you saying you ‘have to do it?’ Telling yourself you ‘have to’ do something puts a heavy energy onto it, and who wants to do something they have to do?
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You’re always free to choose. There may be consequences for not doing it, but you DO have a choice.
If you’re telling yourself you have to do something ask yourself…. is this for my highest good? If it is, great - reframe it as something you’re choosing rather than having to do. Words matter. And if it’s not for your highest good, don’t do it.
3. Break projects down into tasks. A project might be to do your taxes. A task might be to collect your Credit Card receipts or create a spreadsheet. See the difference?
A task is something you can do in 20-30 minutes.
Make a big list of tasks associated with a project you’ve been putting off. Then schedule your tasks - perhaps 20 minutes a day. Then you’ll feel the difference and see it’s just a matter of taking some small steps that will add up.
See this as beginning something rather than finishing it.
Remember this: ‘20 minutes is my friend’ What you’ll probably find you’ll build momentum and you end up spending more than 20 minutes. And even if it’s just 20 minutes, that will add up into something big.
4. Let go of perfectionism. Tasks do not need to be completed perfectly first time. For anyone with a writing project that’s the biggest energy killer. Just start. Getting those words down on paper gets the energy flowing and gets you out of your procrastination. Same with anything else.
5. Schedule fun times: Schedule self care, meditation, time for you, time with your family - those things that give you the energy and resources to handle the more challenging things - so you don’t feel deprived. I recommend scheduling your ME time for first thing in the morning. Then schedule your 20-30 minute spots that will lead to completion of your project. Everything else will fit in.
6. Reward yourself: Spend 20 minutes - anyone can do anything for 20 minutes - and then reward yourself. For me writing this article - this task right now is fleshing out the outline I wrote - then I get to take a break and phone a friend. And yes, I’ve already been going for more than 20 minutes. Funny that!
7. Staying motivated. Find an accountability buddy or tell a close friend what you’re doing do they’ll ask how it’s going. The more people you tell, the more likely it is you’ll do it. It’s a bit like the Integrity Days I offer in my programs. Having told us what you’re going to do in the coming hour, you’re unlikely to call back and say you just sat around eating bon-bons!
Procrastination is caused by turning a project into something unpleasant. The way to reduce procrastination is reframe your experience. These tips will help you - if you use them.
Remember 20 minutes is your friend.
Now, what will you do today?
©2008 Vicky White - All Rights Reserved
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