Do You Fall Victim To This Common Source of Stress?

I’ll do it tomorrow.

I’m just too tired.

I really don’t feel like it.

Procrastination is a common stress trap that a lot of us get caught in on a daily basis. I don’t think it’s the actual putting off of things that provides the stress but rather it’s the guilt associated with not finishing what we started.  I mean who doesn’t finish what they start right? Truth is a lot of us don’t, myself included.

Let’s take this past week for example. Our kids have been with Nana and Grandpa so it was a great opportunity to tackle some projects that just weren’t getting done. First on my list: finish the painted ladybugs that are the border to our kids’ chalkboard. Let’s see I drew them in pencil months and months and months ago! It only took me months and months to actually paint the bodies red and their heads black but the spots and an eye … yup those were finally done this week! I mean come on right? 4 little ladybugs taking close on a year to be completed that’s embarrassing. But it’s common to so many people.

Here are a few suggestions to help you overcome procrastination and get you headed in the right direction.

1. Start with a list. Walk around and capture everything that needs to get done but you are avoiding. Physically moving from room to room is best but mentally picturing each place is a close second. Write down each little project and if it helps write down an approximate amount of time it will take to complete. Estimating the time required is a great way to choose tasks later. When you have a spare 5 minutes choose a task that doesn’t require a whole lot of time such as tightening a door hinge or taking a box out to the garage. When you have a weekend to spare that’s a good time to focus on large projects such as servicing the car or painting a room. Here’s a checklist of house maintenance for fall to get you started.

2. Focus. It helps to turn off or get away from distractions. If you need to do something that requires a lot of concentration set aside some quiet time with no twitter, messenger, email or cell phones. If you have young kids try a pick a time when they are sleeping or otherwise out of your hair and taken care of.

3. Remove the friction. I’ve defined friction earlier as:

“Friction is the object, thought, or excuse that stands between you and what you would like to accomplish or need to get done. This friction greatly reduces the likelihood of actually doing something.”

Friction can be something as grand as not having a large enough vehicle to remove all the yard waste right then and there. As a result the waste sits in your yard for weeks or months. Friction can also be something as little as having to walk down a flight of stairs to reach the patio table and as such you never eat dinner outside during those warm summer months.

So identify the various sources of friction that interfere with your ability to accomplish tasks or activities. Once identified, work at getting rid of them so you can get more done and become more efficient at get closer to your end goal.

4. Get up and get moving. When you’ve completed the previous steps I’ve mentioned there is really only one thing left to do,  get up and do  something. It really comes back to wanting to get stuff done and wanting to finish what you start. Having loose ends hanging over you can lead to stress, anxiety and feelings of guilt. Start, do it and get things done.

I tend to do this kind of stuff in spurts. So when I’m motivated and in the mood if you will, I go at it hard, since I know it won’t last forever. If you’re the same way next time you get motivated, try starting with tasks you’re least excited about and get them out of the way. Tasks that you may actually enjoy or that are looking forward to tackling are left until the end when you may be running out of steam.

I hope you’ll give this a try next time you feel like putting something off.

Photo courtesy of: Rennett Stowe