Tips for the Procrastinator

Are you still going strong on your New Year’s resolutions or are you already slipping back into your old habits? They say it takes 21 days to change a habit or get into a new routine and 90 days to change a lifestyle. I never really do resolutions. I like to set obtainable goals for my professional and personal life. That way I have ways to evaluate those goals for success or to reassess if need be. Procrastination is a huge obstacle that throws a wrench in even the best intentions. When I was in college and had a big test to study for I would do everything else I could think of before I would focus and study. I would clean every inch of my apartment, I would go to the gym and workout, and I would put in a couple extra hours at my campus job. Finally, after everything was done then I would study. I put it off until I couldn’t think of anything else to do. It would always get done, but why wouldn’t I just focus and buckle down from the beginning and just study?

We tend to procrastinate on things that we fear or are not good at.  This makes perfect sense to me. Who wants to do something that you’re dreading?  I have found the best way to tackle my week is to make lists.  I am definitely a list kind of girl. Then I prioritize my list into tasks that need to be done in order of importance.  Seeing everything visually allows me to check what items I can finish myself and what tasks I can delegate to other people in my house.

Sticking to a routine helps me stay on task.  My kids leave for school at the same time everyday and as soon as they leave I’m dressed and ready to work.  Setting a timer also helps.  Giving yourself a certain amount of time to check emails and social media really saves you from going over board and wasting a lot of time.

Try to limit distractions especially if you work from home.  There are so many things that can distract you.  I work from home and there are tons of things that can get me off task. The best thing I did was to create my own work space.  I have my own office where I can shut the door and be creative in a beautiful space. I try to get all my work done before my kids come home so I can give them my full attention when they get home.

The key to being productive is just starting.  You wouldn’t believe how much you can get done if you just start.  This will put you in such a positive place that I bet you will want to keep going and stay motivated to complete whatever project you’re currently working to finish. You can do all the research in the world for your business, but if you don’t take action nothing will ever get done.

Quotes

I found these quotes pertaining to procrastination on Pinterest.  Some didn’t have the sources  but they are included where it applies.

PROCRASTINATION IS THE THIEF OF DREAMS. (CREE INDIAN SAYING)

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU WANT TO BE IS WHAT YOU DO.

IF IT TAKES LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES TO DO, DO IT IMMEDIATELY. YOUR LIFE WILL INSTANTLY BECOME MUCH MORE ORGANIZED AND PRODUCTIVE.

CLUTTER IS THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF UNMADE DECISIONS FUELED BY PROCRASTINATION. (CHRISTINA SCALISE)

 I would love for you to check out what I’m doing on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Yours Truly,

Jenn