Take Control of Procrastination

Ah, procrastination—the fine art of delaying the inevitable! It’s that feeling you may have when waiting for an answer you dread but are still trying to enjoy your favorite television show. Why do we do it? Because sometimes, the thrill of scrolling through dog memes is more tempting than tackling that spreadsheet!

Procrastination has more explanations than tempting memes.

• We fear failure: What if we put in all that effort and it flops?

• Overwhelm: The task looks like a mountain. Who wants to climb Everest when you can stay in your cozy cabin?

• Instant Gratification: Why work on that novel, which is ongoing and whose end you are unsure of, when Instagram or TikTok offer a quick 15 seconds of giggles?

Procrastination

Is the opportunity to get creative.

We have moments when we procrastinate for some of the reasons above with different types of delays. Which of these scenarios have you used to delay the start of a project or task? I know I have accomplished at least one, or really all of them.

1. The Netflix Rabbit Hole: 
   You sit down to watch one episode of your favorite series. It. I have been known to watch “Love is Blind,” and I love the “British Baking Show”. Three seasons later, you’re still on the couch, wearing pajamas and questioning your life choices, while that blog is still waiting to be written.

2. The Overzealous Organizer: 

   You must write an essay, but suddenly, your workspace is a disaster! What better time to sort your papers and organize your file cabinet? This is an excellent time to review your calendar to ensure all your appointments are noted. Your procrastination has turned you into a professional organizer!

3. The Social Media Spiral: 

   You open your laptop to work, but one quick scroll through social media turns into a three-hour journey of watching baby goats jump and people fall off treadmills. Wow! They are super funny! And now that to-do list is getting longer.

4. The “I’ll Start Tomorrow” Syndrome: 
   Every Sunday night, you promise to start exercising on Monday or have no more weekday ice-cream nights. I’ a sucker for mint chip! Fast forward to Friday, and you’re still on the couch, contemplating how many steps it takes to get to the fridge for that mint chip ice cream. It calling.

Procrastination is identified as a part of your life. Now what?

Have Mindful Break

I have a few mindfulness tips that can help. I also created an E-Book that offers tools, tricks, and tips. Look for that at the end of this blog (a shameless plug).

Mindfulness and procrastination are not a combination many of us put together. One’s about avoidance, the other’s a focused embrace of the present. But what if I told you that mindfulness could be your secret weapon against procrastination? Let’s look at how to bring them together to help squash procrastination.

1. Breathe and Be Present:

   Instead of diving headfirst into that daunting task, take a moment to breathe. Ground yourself in the present. “Okay, I’m here. My task is here. Let’s coexist for a moment.” You might find the task isn’t as terrifying as you imagined—like that monster under your bed after the lights come on.

2. Set Intention, Not Pressure:

   Approach tasks with intention rather than pressure. “I intend to work on this for 20 minutes” feels lighter than “I must finish this now!” It’s like saying, “I’m going to enjoy this chocolate cake,” instead of “I have to eat this entire cake before dinner.”

3. Mindful Rewards:

   Pair your tasks with small, mindful rewards. Have you finished a section of your project? Treat yourself to a five-minute coffee break—savor that sip like it’s the last cup of coffee on Earth. A little mindfulness makes the task feel less like a chore and more like part of your self-care routine.

Mindfulness can be the antidote to procrastination’s alluring grip. By being present, breaking tasks down, and treating yourself kindly, you’ll find that productivity can be a peaceful journey rather than a stressful sprint.

In the end, procrastination isn’t a time suck or an enemy. It’s a masterclass in creative distraction and a quirky friend. So, next time you find yourself avoiding tasks, remember: you’re not procrastinating—you’re simply exploring the wonderful world of “not quite yet.” Remember: sometimes, letting the dog memes, goat reels, and treadmill falls win is okay. Life involves finding balance.

As promised, you can check out my E-Book, Procrastination to Productivity: Releasing Your Inner Achiever and Finding Joy, below.

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Procrastination to Productivity: Releasing Your Inner Achiever & Finding Joy