Written by: Miriam Freeman, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
If you are like me in love with lists, then you have at least one to-do list. You may have a to-do list for daily tasks at work, project-specific to-do lists, meeting specific to-do lists, once a monthly tasks to-do list, once a quarter task to-do list, daily family/home to-do list, dinner parties to-do list, birthday party to-do list and the list goes on. Now, if you pay close attention to your day-to-day home or work to-do lists, you will see that some of those items, irrespective of their importance or urgency, keep staying on waiting to get that checkmark for days. You may end up completing those tasks at the last minute, when things get too close to the deadline or when the pressure is on. In the worst case, you may eventually totally drop the ball.
The fact is you are not the only one struggling with occasional procrastination mood. I’m not saying this to make you feel better, although I hope it did make you feel better. But my point is that procrastination in moderation (emphasis on moderation) is not an alarming sign for you to sign up for psych evaluation. Even though few studies have looked at the positive side of procrastination, yet it is a very common source of frustration for many of us.
I know we have a lot on our to-do lists already and we don’t want to add more to it, so let’s see what small changes we implement to defeat the procrastination and get our to-dos in order.
1. Tiny is mighty.
Start breaking your task into specific, small steps. The vaguer your to-do list, the less likely you will do them. Being specific in your steps will break a big task into manageable steps so that it won’t be intimidating. Let’s say you want to call your doctor’s office to book a blood work appointment. Instead of having “book your blood work” on your to-do, write: Item 1 – Write down the doctor’s phone number on a sticky note. Item 2- Write down your health card number or specific dates you are available on that same sticky note. Item 3- Call the doctor.
2. Use The 5-minute rule.
Sometimes when the task ahead of us is just too emotionally overwhelming. In these situations allow yourself to complete the task in a few 5-minute intervals.
Set your timer for 5 minutes and then start working on the task. You can stop or continue when the alarm goes off. Totally up to you. Depending on the task, you can work on it, another 5 minutes the day after or after a few hours.
Always starting something is the hardest step, but knowing that it’s only 5 minutes, you will be emotionally more ready to start. In many cases, the task will be done in 5 minutes, or that you will be ok with continuing longer till the task is complete.
Another positive effect of the 5-minute rule is that when you are giving yourself only 5 minutes, your brain will be on fire to help you meet the deadline and you may actually accomplish a lot more than if you had given yourself 10 or 15 minutes.
3. Delegate or Decline.
Generally speaking, when you have been dragging your feet on something for a very long time, it may be a good time to think a bit more strategically, like a project manager. Ask yourself: Isn’t someone else responsible to do this task? Is this task something that someone else could be doing better/faster? If yes, then maybe it’s time to delegate or say “no”.
Another good option is “Task Swap”. This is when you and another person such as your colleague spouse, kids, friends, etc. swap tasks with you in a win-win situation.
4. Put blinders on!
Block off any distraction by turning your cell phone to airplane mode, ignoring incoming emails, closing the door of your office, booking yourself a meeting room, and taking your laptop in that meeting room for working (but please be courteous to others and don’t do this at peak meeting times), putting those Beats on and listening to nature’s sound if you are in an open work environment. Now you are mentally ready for a deep-dive working period, go ahead and jump right in!
5. Tips or Tricks
Sometimes though, the reason we put things off is that we don’t know where to start. The task seems too complex in our minds. In these cases, remind yourself that you are not alone. Ask for help or share your struggles with someone who has done the same task before. Ask them how they felt during that task and what they learned. You may realize that the task you were dreading, wasn’t that complicated, or you may learn a few shortcuts that expedite the process. Not only, these conversations will get you mentally ready for the action but will also give you the opportunity to pass on these tips and tricks to other people.
Just remember that the point of these talks is not just complaining and spreading negative feelings around, rather a search to find tools and resources that can help you with the task at hand.
Miriam Freeman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Miriam is a Career-Mindset Strategist and a certified coach. With more than two decades of professional experience in critical and leadership roles in some of Canada’s largest corporations and has been a committee member of the board of directors for a leading organization in Toronto. Continual learning and personal development have always been core principles in her life and work. After graduating from an MBA, she pursued additional studies in Law, Taxations, Positive Psychology and Tiny Habits.
She has worked, lived and studied in different countries, learned to adapt to different cultures of the East and the West. Her life experiences in addition to her positive attitude helped her expand her appreciation for mindfulness, honesty and focus on heart and mind at the same time.
Miriam helps her clients pivot their mindset, create winning habits, change the trajectory and build the career they desire while enjoying a meaningful life.
