I have struggled with procrastination for many years. I can’t say that I procrastinate in all areas of life, but I do find that if I am feeling a bit overwhelmed or anxious about a task I don’t jump to complete it quickly. I want to break free from this tendency, so I have started asking myself one simple question that has helped me become less of a procrastinator. The simple question I ask is: “Will this task be easier 1 day/1 week/1 month from now?”
If I have to make a doctor’s appointment (and let me tell you, I hate to make phone calls) I ask myself, “Will this phone call be any easier a day from now?” If I have to complete paperwork I ask myself, “Will completing these forms be any easier a week from now?” If I have to clean out and organize my closet I ask, “Will this project be any easier a month from now?”
And you guessed it, the answer to this very simple question is almost always, “No!” No, waiting a day to make a phone call will not make it any easier. No, letting the paperwork sit one more week will not make it any easier. No, ignoring a messy closet for a month will not make cleaning it any easier.
When I ask myself this simple question and (always) arrive at a “no”, it pushes me to move forward with whatever (sometimes dreaded) task is before me. This is not an earth-shattering solution to the common problem of procrastination, but I have found it to be a help to me. I hope it can be a help to you, too!
What about you? Are you a procrastinator? Have you found ways to be less of a procrastinator?
Until next time,
Charissa
I know where you are coming from. I have the same problem. I like your solution and I am going to try it out.
hi Roy, I think procrastination is a popular problem :). Hope my solution helps you out!
I am definitely a procrastinator. I wish asking myself a simple question would work for me but I think procrastination is just too ingrained or maybe part of my dna or something. =)
Hi, Mommaknowitall! I too have a strong tendency towards procrastination. The question has been my only help so far!