Productive Procrastination: Just Do SOMETHING!
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Putting off tasks that need to be done? Well, practice productive procrastination as a way to get something done when you can’t seem to tackle the to do list.
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I have always struggled with procrastination. In college, I was notorious for leaving my paper writing until the night before it was due. Finals? Yeah, I pulled all-nighters on those, too.
One habit I developed at the time was what I like to call, productive procrastination.
Sure, I may have had a paper to write, but at least my room was clean! More times than not, I found that by working on something that I felt like doing, I found my mind going to that paper or that test and thinking it through. Often I had the paper “written in my head” by the time I’d done all my laundry.
Productive Procrastination
Today is no different. I may have some big task looming over my head, but if I can’t find the energy or motivation to do it, I try to do something that’s productive, you know, like vacuuming. It makes me feel so much better than sitting on the couch watching Food Network when I should be getting ready for taxes. At least something is getting done.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t try to do the items we have on our to-do lists. But sometimes, it’s just hard to get moving in that direction.
Sometimes there are distractions.
Sometimes there’s stress.
Sometimes you just can’t think straight.
Sometimes you just don’t wanna.
Years ago I remember explaining this to an older, wiser mom. I wanted to justify my inactivity. But, she provided an alternative.
Mrs. Cohen said, “When I feel like that, I just put my hands to the next task. Usually that’s dishes. There are always dishes to be done.”
Her words have stuck with me over the years. It’s true; there usually are dishes to be done. And I can feel productive even if I’m not doing all the things I “should” be doing in that moment.
At least I’m doing something.
What Can You Do Right Now
Here are some things you might do with the time you have on hand… at least until you summon up the courage or will power to do the top level tasks.
- do some laundry
- read a good book
- read a good book to the kids
- write in your journal
- have a breakfast plan for the week
- clean the bathroom
- delete some computer clutter
More Home Management Tips
What works for you?
Leave a comment below and let us know what works for you.
Laundry and Cooking. When there are tasks that require brain space, but I just don’t have the brain energy to do them I tend to gravitate toward laundry or cooking. There’s always something I can bake or cook. And there’s always something that needs washing, drying, folding or put away.
I too am a MAJOR procratinator! I have found, however, that as good as it feels to have things done up ahead of time, I work well under pressure. May not be to fun to hang out with when I am “under pressure” to get something finished but I amaze myself at how much I can get done in a short amount of time. Always if I want to get my house really clean…I invite people over for dinner….that gets me cleaning like a mad person! 🙂
I am a professional procrastinator. Only about certain things though. If it comes to my kids or BF I pretty much stay on top of things. However, I have a list of things that I need to do ie house cleaning, organizing, and “for me stuff”. I always say when I get time I will do it. But I have found that if I don’t make time it never gets done. My New Years resolution was to make attainable goals and go for them. Not doing so well so far 🙁
In college, I was this way sometimes. I say sometimes because usually it was the big things I would procrastinate on, but like you I had it in my head, so I would work VERY proficiently once I started (and a I would have ALL my chores finished!) So it worked! Now though, I tend to try to make a list and just do things. With my daughter being young I find that my schedule is so unpredictable (all children’s schedules are) that I need to use the actual time I have very efficiently. I mean do not get me wrong, I still leave vacuuming and cleaning to the last minute “cause I don’t wanna do it!) So how do I deal with procrastination, well I guess for larger things I am on it, and smaller things well if I want to 🙂
I hear ya sister! Great minds think alike, eh? Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Amy at New Nostalgia started a new link party last Tues called “Anti-procrastination Tuesdays” that you may want to check out as well…
http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2010/03/anti-procrastination-tuesdays_08.html
I live with clinical depression and sometimes, it just helps to move…on anything. Before you know it, bit by bit, the list is done:-)
I think we all struggle with this 🙂 When I pick up toys and clean up the living room, my daughter (3) says “mommy, who’s coming over?” Guess she knows too!
Hi Jessica,
I think this means your a Kinaesthetic learner which means that you have too move around and do something physical whilst you are doing something well .. academic. I’ve written about this on my blog – brightstarters-blog.co.uk – have a go at the test!
I’m visual which means I draw nice coloured diagrams. At least when you have to do something academic your house is nice and clean.
Katie:)
@Katie, well, I know I get a really clean house when I’m angry about something. Does that go along with it? I never would have pegged myself as kinesthetic, esp since I once I write it down, I usually remember it. Can you be more than one?
@FishMama,
Yes you can be more than one. I’ll email you the test and the advert I wrote. You can then have fun with your children workout what learning style they are.
Apologises for the grammatical mistakes I tend to write slapdash during the day with a baby on my knee.
My husband and I were already married when I started college. I used to drive him nuts because I would wait until the last minute and pull and all nighter. I was better by the time I graduated but I still “love” to procrastinate. I am a pro at finding other productive things to do instead of the task needed.
Thanks for sharing!
I was exactly the same in school/college. I never started anything until the last minute.
I’ve changed, though, and now if I know that I have a job to do, I do it right away. It drives me crazy to have something hanging over my head.
My favorite quote (and my kids would roll their eyes and agree) is, “Once begun is half done”. I’ve learned that just starting a dreaded task gives me the motivation to finish ASAP!