Procrastination: Make It Work FOR You!
Copyright 2005 Kathy Gulrich
Man, I love to procrastinate! And I'm pretty darn good at it,
too. Would you believe I started writing this article almost six
months ago? Yep. But then I found lots of ways to, well,
procrastinate. But I guess you've already figured that out...
During these months, though, I've learned a couple things.
First, writing about procrastination is pretty dangerous for
someone as good at it as I am. When I'm not focused, it's easy
to become distracted by things that simply aren't very important
to me.
I also noticed that for me, at least, procrastination isn't
necessarily a bad thing. (Come on, don't you sometimes
thoroughly enjoy not doing something?) And there are times when
I've found that putting something off actually worked out for
the best.
So I say, let's procrastinate! One rule, though: if we're going
to procrastinate, let's enjoy it. Here's how:
1 - Step away
If you're procrastinating, one thing's for certain. You're not
very primary about your task. It's not a 'must' or you'd be
doing it. Think of the last time you procrastinated. Just how
critical was the thing you were procrastinating about? At the
time, other things were no doubt more urgent, more important -
or just more fun. So you did them instead. Good for you.
Instead of investing time and attention on what you're not
accomplishing, find something you really do want to do -
something you deliberately choose to accomplish - and do that
instead. You'll achieve more, more easily. You'll make strides
that move you closer to your most important goals. And it will
certainly be more enjoyable.
And the other task? Don't worry. It'll still be there for you
when - and if - you decide to go back to it.
2 - Paint in your head
Tom, my very wise watercolor instructor, suggests I put a
painting I'm working on somewhere I'll often pass by it ... and
just think about how I'd continue painting it. No brushes, no
water. Just looking ... appreciating ... planning ... imagining.
"Just paint in your head," he said with a smile.
I was a little skeptical (sorry, Tom) ... but it worked. Not
only did I find creative solutions for my paintings, I found
that when I picked up my brushes again, I was much faster and
more efficient than I could possibly have been before.
Is this procrastinating? If so, I'll be doing more of it - and
suggest you do, too. Every now and then, step back and make sure
the project you're working on still makes sense to you ... and
that you're creating it the way you like. 'Paint in your head'
for as long as it takes. Then, when it feels right, go full
steam ahead.
3 - Do something. Anything!
Ever have a goal that was so challenging you were overwhelmed by
it? Didn't even know where to start? Maybe felt a little ... uh
... procrastination setting in?
Put your attention on anything you can do that supports your
goal, and do it - immediately. Find something else you can do -
and do it. Again. And again. Just keep taking tiny steps. Do
whatever you can do, whenever and however you can do it.
You'll not only move from procrastination into action, you'll
eventually reach your goal. After all, isn't that what it's all
about?