Procrastination

I’m the kind of person who sometimes wakes up at 2am with an anxious “I need to do that!” insight.

I’ve learned that this happens much less frequently when I proactively get things done.

If it’s a small thing, I try to do it first thing in the morning. I get a bunch of these checked off my to-do list and feel productive.

If it’s something someone else can or should do, I delegate it. This includes letting the person know the “parameters of perfection” (the things I’d make sure are done a certain way) of the deliverable and setting a check-in time/date for when we need it done (preferably with enough time for revisions if the person is new to the task). Some people are motivated if you share the “why” of it (“We do it this way because…” or “This helps the entire community because…”). Other people are motivated better by why you picked them (“I needed someone I know can hit it out of the park” or “I’m giving this to you because I know you’ll make sure it’s done right.”)

If it’s a big thing that only I can do, I add it to my calendar, blocking off productive work time so I can focus. For example, if I am giving a presentation in a few weeks, I’ll block off writing time, practice time, PowerPoint creation time, and handout creation time so that I will have everything complete at least a week in advance.

We don’t have to do everything. We don’t have to do everything immediately. But things that we are not doing or not doing yet will get done more easily if we schedule and structure the process. And if we do this consistently, our efforts really add up over time.

(image source: www.instagram.com/p/DMQPM_vu-MW/)