#Procrastination #Productivity #TimeManagement
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That one task or chore that we keep putting off for days, weeks, or even months. Whether it’s something as simple as folding the laundry or as daunting as starting a new project at work, procrastination can creep up on us when we least expect it. But have you ever stopped to think about how much time you actually waste by procrastinating?
In this article, we’re going to explore the impact of procrastination on our time management, and how overcoming this habit can significantly improve our productivity. We’ll also discuss some practical tips for breaking the cycle of procrastination and getting things done more efficiently.
##The Last Thing You Procrastinated: A Self-Reflection
Let’s start by taking a moment to reflect on the last thing you procrastinated. Maybe it was something as mundane as cleaning out the refrigerator, or as important as meeting a work deadline. Consider the following questions:
– What was the task you procrastinated?
– How long did you put it off for?
– How long did doing the task actually take you?
In my case, the last thing I procrastinated was clearing out my email inbox. I had been putting it off for over a week, thinking it would take me hours to sort through the clutter. When I finally sat down and tackled it, I was surprised to find that it only took me 30 minutes to organize and respond to all my emails!
##The Impact of Procrastination on Productivity
Procrastination not only affects our time management, but it also has a significant impact on our overall productivity. Here are some ways in which procrastination can hinder our ability to get things done efficiently:
1. Increased stress and anxiety: The longer we put off a task, the more it weighs on our minds, leading to increased stress and anxiety.
2. Missed deadlines: Procrastination often leads to missed deadlines, which can have serious consequences in both our personal and professional lives.
3. Poor quality work: Rushing to complete a task at the last minute can result in lower quality work, as we don’t have enough time to give it the attention it deserves.
4. Wasted time: Procrastination can result in wasted time that could have been spent on more important or enjoyable activities.
##Tips for Overcoming Procrastination
Now that we understand the negative impact of procrastination, let’s explore some practical tips for overcoming this habit and improving our time management:
1. Break tasks into smaller chunks: Instead of looking at a task as a whole, break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This makes it less overwhelming and easier to get started.
2. Set deadlines: Give yourself a specific deadline for completing a task, and hold yourself accountable to meet it.
3. Eliminate distractions: Identify and eliminate any potential distractions that could derail your focus while working on a task.
4. Use the Pomodoro technique: This time management method involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, which can help improve focus and productivity.
5. Reward yourself: Set up a reward system for completing tasks to create a positive reinforcement for getting things done.
##Conclusion
Procrastination is a common habit that can have a significant impact on our time management and productivity. By reflecting on our procrastination tendencies and implementing practical tips for overcoming this habit, we can make significant improvements in our ability to get things done efficiently. So the next time you find yourself putting off a task, consider the time you’re wasting by procrastinating, and take proactive steps to break the cycle and improve your productivity.
Don’t let procrastination hold you back from achieving your goals and living a more efficient and fulfilling life. Remember, the time you spend procrastinating is time you’ll never get back. So why not make the most of it by getting things done?
I work in digital marketing, and we recently had a TikTok workshop teaching us how to use it best for our clients. I have zero interest in TikTok and enjoyed zero minutes of it.
A few weeks ago my boss asked me for a report on all the recent content we made for TikTok, a detailed document with context and which of the best practices presented in the workshop were used in each piece. This required me to go back to the workshop material, and rewatch and analyze what I thought to be dozens of annoying/boring videos. I dreaded it for over two weeks and kept finding other things to do instead.
Yesterday I bit the bullet: it was 8 videos, and it took me *twenty minutes* to finish the whole thing. I will learn nothing from this.
I put off finding a new PCP for 7 months after moving to a new city. It took 2 minutes of searching on my insurance’s website and 5 minutes on the phone to make an appointment. I will learn nothing from this.
An appointment for a scan at a cancer center. I’ve been in remission since 2013 but had two terrifying dreams. First was, I was in the office and was told my cancer returned. The second dream, I was sick and my husband was taking care of me.
Needless to say, I was crippled with fear to make the appointment for about 6 months. Ended up going recently. Scan came out clear. Thank God.
Some lab reports. I always procrastinate those because I know I can finish them quickly and during the semester there are way more pressing issues, like actually studying the material, solving exercises, handing in homework and producing researchy type assignments, that take a lot of time.
It took me two days for eight lab reports. But as I said I always plow through them very quickly once I get to them.
Currently in grad school. Have been working on the same 6 page paper for a month lol. I’ll be finishing it this week though.
Have also contemplated the PMP certification for the past year. Just now scheduling it for the end of next month lol.
Blood test. I kept putting it off. And now I’ve went ahead and done it but i’ve realized that I told them the wrong gene to look for.
I put off cleaning my room for about a week. Surprisingly, it only took me 30 minutes to get ready when I finally started.
Doing an at-home self-medical test. Had the kit for 3 months (yes, that’s months) sat on the table (expires summer 2024, dw). Took me less than 20 minutes this afternoon…
Calling orthodontics offices for consults . Only took me 5 min to set up appointments. Wear your retainers kids. My dumbass didn’t and now I have slight speech impediment 🥲
7 years. Still have that Pergo flooring that we keep meaning to put down.
Well. Im in grad school and have a paper technically due tomorrow that I haven’t started yet. In my defense it’s because I had an exam today.
10 years. Dentist. Thankfully went this year and all is well. No cavities or anything that a deep cleaning couldn’t fix. I do take decent care of my teeth but holy shit I dodged a bullet. Never again.
I’ve got 10 minutes worth of dishes that have been sitting in my sink for almost a week now.
Calling the daycare to see if they were looking for workers. Took 5 minutes got a yes and the next day 1h to visit and sign paperwork after being hired. Started the week after that
Well…I’m supposed to be working right now, and yet here I am. 😏 I’m going to put it off til Monday. How long the project will ultimately take remains to be seen.
Today! I’m in law school. Had to do a bunch of boring stuff today (no classes thankfully) and just wanted to sleep… so I did. Banged out the work between 2-6pm and am now relaxing again. It’s always worse before you do something than actually doing that something.
Cleaning my baby’s room. She doesn’t use it yet so I’d just dump stuff in there til I had time to organize. Took 15 minutes after procrastinating for a couple of months
Thank you for reminding me,i need to set a reminder to call pharmacy to renew the Rx i forgot to pick up before it expired yesterday 🥴🥴
I’ve been putting off contacting wayfair about the coffee table I ordered two and a half months ago. I had a three-minute phone call, and it was here in two days 😑
I decided to write a book over 15 years ago. It took me until last year to actually finish it after having had 75% of it written and sitting on it for about 5 years since I last wrote.
I had thousands of photos from travelling for several years and had a list of photobooks I wanted to make, country by country.
Broke it down into a list of books to be made
Then figured out the steps including backing all my data up, organizing everything into folders. I think I cleaned my home office out as part of this project as well.
Then got a tv tray to set my laptop up in the living room so I could slowly work away at the books while watching tv and hanging out.
I am almooooost done. I’ve done about 9 books and it’s been on my to-do list/new years resolution for a solid 3 years.
Feels so frigging good. And I forgot about some just absolutely incredible moments that have been fun to relive.
PS: gentle reminder to BACK UP YOUR DATA!!!
Doing my Income Tax. I’m almost 1 year late. I can usually do it myself but it’s become more complicated so I’ve been procrastinating. I’ve accepted that I have to pay for a tax place to do it but still haven’t sent the papers in.
I’ll get back to you on this.
College homework. Put it off for about 5 days. Took me hour to do.
I’m in college, and recently I’ve been procrastinating ALL of my school work. I recently lost my grandma and I have had no motivation to do anything. I keep telling myself I’ll do it, and I don’t 😅 I did 1 thing yesterday and it took me maybe 5 minutes because I just didn’t care to do it
I had a quiz overdue for three days online…i had so much anxiety- it was allotted for 120 minutes…it was one true or false question asking if we read the syllabus. Something i did 2 days before classes started 🥲🙃. It took me 10 seconds (literally).
Sharing this to hold myself accountable 🫡
Dishes. It’s been 5 days but unfortunately they haven’t magically cleaned themselves yet 🙁