It’s Not the Load, but the Way You Carry it, that Weighs You Down
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
Is procrastination a character flaw or a habit? It is definitely a habit, although many people talk about it as if it were an uncontrollable quality, an innate part of their personality, or it has even been referred to as an appealing trait, which I feel is simply nothing more than a disguised excuse. Let’s face it, procrastination is a choice and over time, it can become a habit that is really difficult to break.
Procrastination is defined by experts as the act of replacing high-priority actions with tasks of low-priority, which leads to putting off important tasks to a later time. The behavior is usually counterproductive, not necessary, and it often delays something that needs your attention. Often times it results in increased levels of stress, a sense of guilt, a dramatic loss of productivity, and can even include strained relationships if commitments or responsibilities aren’t handled. So why do it? Good question. Common sense is not always common practice.
We tend to find ourselves walking down the procrastination path when we are faced with one of four scenarios:
- Unpleasant tasks
- Difficult tasks
- Perfectionism
- Disorganization
First, for tasks that you don’t care for, we tend to put them off to the side and wish them away. But do they go away? The chances are not too likely. So when you have one or even several tasks that you would prefer to avoid, I recommend tackling those first, and then giving yourself a small reward for “kicking that can” out of the way. Don’t let dreaded duties drag you down. Face ‘em and forget ‘em.
Second are the difficult tasks; those responsibilities that seem daunting and sometimes demanding. Arduous tasks require our greatest concentration. I suggest that you plan specific times throughout the day to focus your attention on these duties when you have the greatest mental energy. For some of us this time is first thing in the morning. For others of us it is mid-morning. Yet for people like me, I find I am able to concentrate the best right after lunch. Tackle the most difficult tasks at the right time and then break them down into digestible chunks. By assigning a timeline to the overall task, knowing when each aspect needs to be completed, scheduling time in your schedule that aligns with your energy cycle, and then following through on your plan, will certainly help you to combat your most daunting endeavors.
The third reason we find ourselves procrastinating is when we seek a perfect outcome. Usually tasks do not require perfection; rather, they need to be handled according to expectations. If we continue to make adjustments because it isn’t “just so,” we usually find ourselves losing high levels of productivity and simply getting stuck. I believe in exceeding expectations, but leaving perfectionism at the door.
The fourth component of procrastination is disorganization. I continue to be amazed at the number of individuals who swear that they know exactly where every piece of paper is among the mountains and piles. They may have a general idea, and they may even know about where the document is, however, the chances of being able to work without feeling a sense of chaos and disarray, I just can’t imagine. I could definitely be wrong here, but I know that I am always more focused and productive when my desk area is organized and clean. So if you suffer from disorganization, I challenge you to take the “De-clutter Challenge.” Do your best to un-clutter your work area and keep it that way for one full week. Take an honest pulse-check as to whether you feel you had greater productivity by being more organized. Your outcome of this experiment will clearly outline for you whether or not enhanced organization can help you. It’s worth a try; what have you got to lose? Except…maybe another important piece of paper?
You, like me, are probably being asked to do more today than you did a year ago. Whether it is at work or at home, the tasks continue to come. As you likely realize, not all tasks are created equal. And if you don’t prioritize them, someone else usually will. So plan your responsibilities and strive to re-prioritize them as needed, even if that means doing this several times a week or even per day. Because it is not the actual number of tasks that we need to do that weighs us down; for if it was, we would have been able to get up years ago. Instead, what tends to burdens us is how we carry the load. Choose to handle those tasks promptly that need your attention rather than procrastinating and putting them off until they become a crisis. The “Gain®” certainly out-weighs the “Tide®.”
Life is Overwhelming…Choose to Simplify
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
Buy more, do more, be more! Those are the messages that bombard us today. But what if…what if we chose to slow down and simplify? Could we live with enough, rather than live to excess? Could we slow down and re-learn to single-task rather than multi-task? Is it possible to live more balanced and healthier lives and still have more time for our passions, family, friends and ourselves? I do believe the answer is ‘yes.’
I have learned that if I want to successfully manage my life, both personally and professionally, I can more effectively accomplish this by remembering my acronym of “C.O.P.E.” which stands for cutting-back, organizing, planning and engaging.
C – Cut-back: If we cut back on spending, it is amazing how much money we can save. I challenge you to see how many days you could go without spending one dime. Could you make it one day? Two days? Three days? What about a week? My guess is if you have a commute of longer than fifteen minutes to work one-way, one week is likely the longest you can make it on one tank of gas.
O – Organize: It is amazing how much more focused we can be when we are organized. Being organized for me means things are in a particular place and when I want something, I know where to go to reference it or get it. I decided to re-organize my office over this past holiday weekend. Over the last several months when I have been traveling to speak, I haven’t been as disciplined as I know I should be and began to stack materials, documents, files and books around my office. Over the course of the last week, I was struggling to find certain documents that I needed. In only about 45 minutes, I successfully went through piles of paperwork and ended up recycling a huge bag of unnecessary files. I feel as if a tremendous burden has been lifted. I once read, and I wish I remembered where it was, that the average American adult spends roughly one year of our life looking for lost things. Can you even believe it?
P – Plan: When was the last time you carved out time in your schedule to relax? In our hectic lives, we often don’t have time to simply relax and unwind. I find that if I am sitting still, I feel unproductive and sometimes even feel a bit guilty. When that thought enters my mind, I remember that if I want to stay healthy, I need some downtime…time to recharge my battery, time to do nothing, time to daydream. Planning to relax has not been an easy task, but a necessary one. If you haven’t ever tried this before, consider a timeframe of 30 minutes of relaxation for your first week. Whether you enjoy a hot bath, smell a fragrant candle, watch it rain, or sit on your patio listening to soft music, building relaxation into your schedule can be very invigorating.
E – Engage: Being engaged is about being present, living in the moment, realizing the ‘now.’ Being engaged is about being connected to those that are around us, rather than mentally being someplace else. We’ve all experienced a situation when we are talking to someone and he/she seems a million miles away. In our family, my husband and I believe in disconnecting the numerous devices we have during family time, meal time, time in the car, and anytime we are talking to someone. I like eye contact when I’m communicating with someone, because I tend to feel more connected then. Do you talk when typing on the computer? Do you write yourself an unrelated quick note when you are on the telephone with someone? When your spouse or child is trying to get your attention and you are watching a fun television show, do you turn it off, or partially listen to both? Try disconnecting and truly engaging. Try this activity of discipline for one week and then ask your loved ones and colleagues if they have noticed any differences in your behavior. You just may be surprised by how many people notice and enjoy and enjoy this new, engaged behavior.
