“A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it’s better than no inspiration at all” — Rita Mae Brown
Ugh – I know I need to get this thing done, but …. It is amazing how easy it is to put something off. Even the laundry begins to take on new significance if it allows me to do anything but that thing that is nagging at me. I like to write lists of stuff I need to get done. It saves me the agony of stressing over the fact I might forget something. But, there are always those one or two tasks that never seem to get off the list. Some tasks have deadlines that help me get the task completed and move it off the “to do list”, like writing my blog entries. I know I need to write one entry each week which helps motivate me. However, I even procrastinated about writing this blog entry about procrastination! Once I finally sat down to start, then, “Oh, I need to search for the perfect quote for this piece.” Off into the never-never land of the web. (Maybe that is why it is called the web: because it is sticky like a spider’s web and once you are there it is difficult to escape.)
So, what to do about this procrastination thing? Procrastinating is that nagging voice that becomes the background of all activity. Sometimes you can shut it off, but any moment you relax, there it is: “Get to that thing you need to do.”
My lesson about procrastination is: It feels so much better once I get started! And, it feels even better when the task is completed. Anytime you are procrastinating ask yourself a few questions:
1. If you put this task off until later will it be easier then? Chances are, the answer is no. That should be enough to get you started.
2. Is there something else you need in order to do this task? More information? A different tool? A clear space to work? Sometimes when you look closely at why you are putting things off, you will realize you are missing something. The next step is solving the problem of whatever it is you need. Just make sure that you are not working on fulfilling a need just to put off the real task of getting started (procrastination in disguise.)
3. Do you need a chunk of time to dedicate to this task? If so, schedule an hour or whatever you can to at least get started. You might not complete the project, but getting started is half the battle. Put this on your calendar and keep your date with yourself. Tell your loved ones, or anyone that is likely to distract you, about your plans so they will help you prevent further procrastination!
4. Do you really need to do this? If not – cross it off your list and forget about it. Sometimes you should just be honest with yourself and come to the reality that this particular task just is not important right now. If you decide not to do this task at this point in time, you can always resurrect it in the future if you so choose. But, for now, just cross it off your list and let it go.
Nearly every time I have that internal discussion about doing something now or later, I convince myself to just get started. Once I overcome the inertia to just start, things actually move forward easily. For example, if I know I need to exercise and I just don’t feel like it. I make myself a deal: just change into my exercise clothes and spend 10 minutes at the gym, if I still do not feel up to it, then I can quit. Once I get started, 99.9% of the time, I keep on going and finish a good workout. This works for me for just about any project I am attempting to avoid until later. Just get started!
Now, quit reading this blog and go start that nagging thing you need to do! I guarantee you will feel so much better once the task gets started and eventually completed. You can thank me later.
Namaste.