How I Take Advantage of My Procrastination

Tweet

Procrastination affects all of us, even the most ambitious of the bunch.  It DEFINES some people, but all of us are guilty of it at one time or another.

We all procrastinate, but how do we handle things when we really don't want to do them.

Noticing my own behavior patterns, I started to realize something.

There are times when I procrastinate, and I let the guilt distract me from getting anything done.  So I do NOTHING.

Recently, I've discovered something better.  Take advantage of my procrastination of the moment!



How?

I take advantage of me wanting to avoid doing something by...doing something else that I was avoiding...but THAT drains me LESS than my "current thing" that I am putting off doing.

For example...

I'm supposed to write a blog post.  I don't feel like doing that.  I have all sorts of excuses, but in the end, I'm just not writing that blog, even though I know I need it.

A little later, I have a pile of dirty dishes in the sink.  Of course, nobody is in a hurry to do dishes.  So I put off that.

Later, I need to write up a complicated quote.  I'm not really sure how to begin, but I will do it later...whenever THAT is.

At THIS point, I know that I NEED to get out that quote, but I'm feeling pretty drained.  After all, I have a TON of things to do.  (At least, that's what I'm telling myself.)

What do I do?

Now, when compared to the other things, I would RATHER do the dishes.  In fact, doing dishes is a lot more appealing than writing a blog post or putting together that quote.

So I do the dishes.

NOW, I have some momentum.  I am feeling a little more energized, because I am "in motion."  However, now I see some progress; my "to do" pile is shrinking, and I feel a lot more encouraged.

Next, I tackle that blog post I am supposed to write.  I'd MUCH rather write a blog post than put together that complicated quote.

Finally, I've written that blog post, and I am feeling even MORE energetic.

Well, I've put off that quote long enough.  While I was procrastinating putting together this quote, I handled those other things--which seemed a lot more daunting at the time--when they were suddenly things I'd rather do than that quote I was putting off.

Lesson Learned: When you want to procrastinate about your most current project or task, start doing some of those other things you've been setting aside.  Those won't seem to be as painful, and you will become more energized by being active and seeing your "to do" pile get smaller.

Ever try this?  What do you do when you feel like procrastinating?

Like this post?  Other recent posts are

• When do you eat your frog during the day?
• Twitter Followers - Does Quantity Matter?
• LinkedIn Connections - Is Quantity Important?
• 6 Ways I Could Have Networked Better at My Last Event
• 3 Ways to Become a Better Marketer
• 3 Ways I Would Market My Friend's Book about Parenting
• 3 Tips about Public Speaking for non-Speakers

To visit The Ultimate Analyst company website click HERE.

Tweet