Procrastination

What exactly is procrastination? It is the act of intentionally postponing or delaying tasks or decisions. We have probably all heard the Nike saying, 'Just do it.' But in reality we all roll our eyes and go back to sitting on the couch watching that TV show, or doom scrolling on our phones. But deep down in our mind that dreaded thought comes, 'I really need to do this...' or you know of that dread deadline that's inching closer and closer. Example, bills coming due, work deadlines, school deadlines, laundry needing to be folded, going to the grocery store, talking to the boss about a raise, taxes being due in April.

But why do we procrastinate? It almost seems counter productive to put ourselves under the stress of not getting it done sooner rather than later. But here are things I've learned that can cause it. For one is knowing it is a task that will make us uncomfortable, maybe we are overwhelmed by the task at hand, we lack the motivation, or we are afraid of failure. For me, its the fact that I want to be perfect at the job. However, I've learned that I use perfection as an excuse not to do something. So I've learned to do things 'good enough'. It means I complete a task, and though it might not be absolutely perfect to a standard I personally set, as long as it is done and done right, with less errors than most, I can accept it.

So how do we get out of the procrastination rut? There are several ways I've learned about that have helped me immensely. 

1.) Break down large tasks into smaller more manageable projects. Example: Instead of cleaning/organizing your whole house, start with one room, maybe even one corner of that room. 

2.) Set clear and realistic goals. Example: Today I'll brush my teeth as soon as I get out of bed. 

3.) Identify what triggers your procrastination. Example: You have an important email you need to read, instead you scroll Instagram. (Reading work email = boring, Instagram = fun)

4.) Reward yourself for completing tasks. Example: My morning coffee after I come back from the gym. 

While everyone is different, these are common ways to get out of the rut of procrastination. It takes time to implement these tools, but they are worth their weight in gold. 

A Few Years and the systems that saved me

 So a few years have passed and a lot has changed. To start I've lost 60 pounds with another 15 to go. There are still a lot of things I hope to change in the coming year. Some things I'd like to relate is that motivation won't always get you were you need to go. It's like the gun shot that goes off at the beginning of the race, and the race is life. What does that gun shot get you? Only a mark and a bit of adrenaline at the beginning of your race. What keeps you going through the race? Discipline, and what came before it. You may ask what comes before a race? Training, preparations such as the right shoes, eating right, getting enough rest. So too does our habits. There is a saying that I've implemented and continue to implement every day. 

"You do not rise to your goals, you fall to your systems." 

If you do not set up systems that work for you, you will never reach your goals. So that is what I've done. I've set up systems that became my habits, in turn those habits lead to my goals. So what are my goals this year, to read more, to study something - such as a new language, and to lose those 15 lbs. What systems have a set up to get there? I've set up time blocking, so that every morning I spend an hour at the gym, I meal prep, so I'm less likely to eat out or eat junk. For learning a language, I set aside 15 minutes to learning it and same for reading more. I usually do these just before bed, to help relax my mind and give my mind something to work on while I sleep. 

So the advice I give to all who may read this one day, figure out the systems that will improve your life...even if only 1% and continue to move forward.