First before I get too far into this blog post on procrastination, let me confess that I’m writing this blog post to totally avoid a project I NEEDED TO GET DONE LAST WEEK! Ahhh!!!
But I’m not panicking…yet… because I know how to overcome this obstacle as an experienced procrastinator who has had a lifetime of getting stuff done at the very last moment! The stress, the adrenaline rush, the anxiety of it all!
Been there. Done that. No More Thanks.
Through trial and error over the years, I’ve taught myself how to use procrastination to my advantage and get stuff done.
Although, I gotta be honest, I’m sweating a little right now, because I want to get this project done and checked off my list.
So, as I work through this mental block of not being able to focus on the work I need to get done, I thought I’d share with you how I use procrastination to my advantage to get things done without crumbling under the pressure.
First a little story (I am procrastinating after all 🙂 )
As a Finance Admin, I Learned Putting Everything off Until Friday = a Bad Start to My Weekend.
When I worked as a Finance Admin, I had all these super boring tasks I had to get done every week, and often I would end up putting off all the really super boring ones until Friday.
Doing this made my all Fridays suck!!
But it was a hard habit to break.
So, I started to remind myself Monday morning:
If I procrastinate and put off all my boring tasks and avoid doing them until later this week. I’m creating a really sh*tty Friday for myself.
And a sh*tty start to my weekend. As I begin it, cranky, from the lousy Friday I had! That btw, I totally created by procrastinating and putting off all the stuff I didn’t want to do until the end of the week.
My bad. I do learn eventually 🙂
I Changed My Perspective & My Behaviour
I began working on doing that self-sabotaging behaviour less and setting myself up more successfully at the beginning of the week.
In other words, I started forcing myself to do the stuff I didn’t want to do earlier in the week.
I stopped procrastinating by using the discomfort of procrastination –remembering how bad that last Friday felt – to motivate me to do the boring work on Monday.
I also tried to find ways to look forward to getting this very boring admin work done.
I Started to Eat the Frog – But Strategically (It is a Frog after all!)
I took on the “Eat the Frog” Mentality: Do the hardest stuff first, so you can do more fun stuff later.
However, after trying to apply this idea to my real work world over the years, my personal tip from experience is
don’t do the absolute worst stuff first thing Monday morning.
Do an easy or fun task first. One that’ll put you in good spirits and make you feel accomplished (an easy win for a monday morning). Even if it’s just checking the mail or organizing files. These are things that need to get done too.
Then tackle the sh*tty project.
Time to eat the frog.
Be Kind to Yourself – Ease Into it & Set Yourself Up for Success!
When you are prepared to face and tackle your project. Congratulate yourself for making it this far! You’re doing it. Great Job! You are working your way through procrastination. You are making it work for you.
You will not make this Friday suck!
Or today, for that matter.
Get started on the task, by easing yourself into it.
Look forward to getting it done and over with!
Start Planning and Preparing What You’ll Need for the Project.
Start setting up your materials and get your tools ready.
Open up the computer program. Have your folder and papers organized and ready to go beside you.
Let them taunt you a little: “You gotta get me done, sooner rather than later. Let’s go!”
Grab a coffee, silence your phone, turn on some good music.
And get to work, eating that frog!
Finish that project! You can do it!
Tastes good! You’ll get used to it!
Your Friday Self will be so grateful you took one for the team early in the week, so you could enjoy your friday! and the weekend ahead.
So, as I remind myself of all these tips and gather my tools to get my own project done (a video tutorial for my Scrappy Flower Campaign, for the curious).
I congratulate myself on getting this far! I’ve knocked out my easy and fun task for the day (this blog post) and now I’m ready to eat the frog. (where’s the hot sauce?).
First though, I gotta run around the block.
I need to get my daily walking in after all! 🙂 (says the procrastinating pro lol)
Don’t Forget to Do This as You Prepare to Tackle Your Project and Make Procrastination Work for You!
If you’re in the throws of procrastinating at the moment, stressed out that you’re not getting things done that you need to.
Stop stressing out and find something fun to do as you work your way towards getting that project done.
You will do it! Take some time to learn how to destress and unwind so you are better prepared for future projects.
Ironically, Crafts and Hobbies are a Great Way to Help You Overcome Procrastination.
By working on things you enjoy, it’ll help you clear your head so you can focus on the harder tasks ahead.
When you work on a craft or do a hobby, you can use that time to think through projects and relax your mind.
You’re totally not procrastinating if you visit my Scrappy Flower Craft Fun Page to learn more on the health and wellness power of crafts and hobbies as well as find a fun and easy to make craft you can do right now.
Have fun making that flower while you prepare to eat your frog!
You can do it 🙂 Good luck!
If you do make a flower or have tips on creatively overcoming procrastinating, I’d love to hear them! Please share. Contact me or comment below!
Thanks for reading!
Happy Crafting!
Lainie Burgess
Founder, Project Manager, Crafter, and Frog Eater
www.thescrappyflowercampaign.ca
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