From A to P: How to Move From Procrastination to Productivity
Your project deadline is fast approaching. And you can certainly say that you have accomplished a lot.
You have responded to all of your emails, found three new influencers to follow on Instagram, and rearranged that bookshelf over you’ve desk. Your files are newly arranged on the corner of your desk, and you have a perfectly written to-do list for the rest of the day that’s even color-coded. Your coffee cup is filled to the brim with freshly brewed java. You even cleaned the counters while you were in the company kitchen — just because you were feeling helpful. You turned in your expense report two day early and called back that customer who has been dogging you to find out where their shipment is. You found it currently just north of Cincinnati moving along I-75 in Ohio. But as for that project … it’s not done, not even close to being completed.
Instead of crowning yourself the King, Queen, or Ruler of Procrastination or, worse yet, berating yourself about it, why not kick the habit and put yourself on the road to productivity?
Whether you consider yourself to be a chronic procrastinator or only an occasional practitioner of the act, your reasons may vary. Do you tend toward allowing distractions like that string hanging from your chair to steal your focus? Are you the type that puts the hard stuff off to hang with friends or chat it up? Would you describe yourself as someone who regularly falls prey to the adrenaline that comes with assisting others solve their current “hair on fire” problem rather than your own? Do you allow small wins to steal your focus? Have you convinced yourself that binge watching a new show is absolutely necessary to your social standing? Or is it that you invite a visit from self-doubt or anxiety because you fear that what you put together might not be good enough or that someone will not question your abilities?
No matter what type of procrastinator you are, we are sure that everyone has fallen prey to delaying or putting off something important at one time or another. Instead of crowning yourself the King, Queen, or Ruler of Procrastination or, worse yet, berating yourself about it, why not kick the habit and put yourself on the road to productivity? The next time you find yourself looking everywhere for something to do rather than doing that certain something you should be doing, try one of these productivity hacks to manage your indolence.
Automate the task by planning for it. Put a recurring appointment on your calendar for “what needs to be done.” That you way you relieve yourself of your apprehension about “what needs to be done.”
Break up your project into more manageable parts and tackle one at a time.
Clock yourself. Set a timer for two, five, or 15-minute intervals and work on whatever you should be doing for that set time period.
Doodle. Open your journal and start drawing.
Exercise. Run for it. Pedal your Peloton bike. Take a walk. You will be surprised how your mind opens to let ideas and solutions pop in.
Fiddle with a stress ball, pop it fidget toy, spinner, or Rubik’s Cube in front of your computer or workspace. Your body’s fidgeting may foster your mind’s ability to concentrate.
Get up and change your scenery. Switch desks, work outside, hit the coffee shop, or move to another room.
Honesty is always the best policy. Self-reflect on what is keeping you from being productive. Is the barrier real or self-imposed?
Itemize and organize. Gather all of your research and tools and lay them out in front of you.
Knock out the naysayer (Hey! That’s you.) For every negative thought that pops into your head, think of two good things about yourself. Tip the scales in your favor.
Look elsewhere for inspiration. If you are in aerospace sector, Google how the companies of your favorite consumer products are approaching the solution and vice versa.
Muse over your favorite tunes. Turn up the volume and let the music play. Rock out to the Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons, or AC/DC or, if classical is your thing, take a time out with Tchaikovsky and Bach.
Noise reduction can be valuable. Evaluate what is stealing your focus and stop it from doing so. Shut the door if people keep coming into your room and turn off the notifications on your computer.
Outline it. Get out a piece of paper, list your task on top, and put your points or actions down in logical order.
Permit yourself to procrastinate. Surprise! This may come as a shock but allow yourself one discretion. Then hold yourself accountable to get the task done in return.
Now if you are wondering why we stopped at the letter “P” deliberate no further: We are done procrastinating here with you and realize it’s time to get productive on some other projects ourselves.
Are you not making any headway on your project still? Check out all the ways that the Bulb team can serve you and connect with us to get started without delay.
