How to Stop Procrastinating
I've lost track of the number of times I procrastinated, even as a kid. I’d come home from school and instead of starting on my homework I'd watch TV, read a book, or draw. I told myself I deserved a break from being at school all day.
Yes it is important to give our minds and bodies breaks, that’s part of maintaining our mental health. But, the whole time I was giving myself a break I was feeling guilty!
The voice in my head would tell me “you should really do your homework” and I’d say back “just five more minutes, I deserve a longer break.” This conversation continued over and over until two hours had passed and it was time for dinner. That meant I wasn’t getting a true break, that guilt weighed on me and distracted from my ability to fully relax and enjoy myself.
I carried this pattern into adulthood. It included ignoring the dishes, the pile of laundry on the couch, and the non-perishable groceries. I'd allow things to sit and I say I’d get to them later, but then they just sat there for days, sometimes weeks, much to the chagrin of my husband.
My breaks would go from their intended 20 minutes to 2 hours in the blink of an eye. Then it would be dinner time, which meant I’d do my homework after dinner, which felt so late, which would make me dread it even more.
I started to break this habit, a little at first, I noticed the nagging voice of unfinished tasks was holding me back from enjoying myself. It prevented me from relaxing and when too many things were left undone that's when the crippling overwhelm would take hold.
I noticed that one task nagged louder in my head, begging me to get it done, and usually that task was fairly simple, something I could do in 5 minutes. When I noticed that voice nag me to do something I paused and evaluated, is that a task that I can complete right now? Most of the time the answer is yes, I do it, and it was like the heavens opened up and that ethereal light shone down on me. I felt so much better and all I did was put away five cans of beans.
There are times when I can't do a task because I'm not home or I'm about to leave. In those instances I write it down or I set a reminder in my phone, that way it's out of my head until I'm ready to take that task on, and the nagging voice is able to quiet down.
Journaling Prompt: What’s the nagging thought in your head?
Procrastination isn’t a sign of laziness, it’s a sign of emotions getting tied up in the task you’re trying to do. Usually fear of getting in trouble or shame popping up, those are the big ones that trigger procrastination. Want to move through your procrastination? Try journaling, just writing a few thoughts on the page can help get them out of your head and make the emotions way easier to manage. Not sure where to start? Support my Kickstarter and pick one of the rewards.
Every reward in my Kickstarter includes my enhanced Thoughtful Journaling Guide that will get you journaling and getting sh*t done in no time.
Wouldn't it feel better to be proud of the things you get done each day instead of feeling guilty for the things left on your to-do list?
I want something different for next year. I’m not one for setting resolutions, I gave up on them years ago, I don’t really see the point of trying to make a change that won’t stick.