I am not certain who coined the phrase in my title...but I know that for some reason I put off doing things that seem hard, or tedious, or uncomfortable - but that have to be done no matter how I pretend they will disappear from my world. I will find a thousand other things do that just feel so much nicer (like staring out the window and drinking tea) and procrastinate until panic sets in. My most productive moment is always 'the last minute'. Needless to say, this creates untold stress in my life...and apparently causes wrinkles!! So....I hate wrinkles, as such, my change for the past week was to tackle procrastination.
Of course I turned to Leo's 52 Changes book (the man is starting to have guru proportions in my brain) for advice. So simple - set a timer for 10 minutes and just work at the daunting task, whatever it may be until you hear the ding (or a sound of a harp if you have an iPhone). Only focus on that task, it's the most important task in the world, and you only have to do it for ten minutes - so...focus!
Well, you know what...it works. And the best part is once you actually start the unpleasant whatever-it-is, you feel good and you are even tempted to do this 10-minute exercise more than once in a day...next thing you know your task is completed.
Happy unprocrastinating!
9 comments:
oh wow, that describes me to a T... I'm going to have to get that book. Thank you for sharing, have a super weekend Raina!
I must read that book as well...
Wonderful pictures as usual!
have a great Sunday.
My motto has always been "small bites" and the ten-minute method is spot on!
I am a procrastinator too and have found that the 'small bites' philosophy has worked for me!!
Yup...relating. I've been better in the past and worse too. The problem is that I have it in my butterfly brain that I always manage in the end. Bad philosophy! Actually, Brian Tracy has a good book called Eat That Frog and he preaches on the 10 solid minutes of work principle. That silly clean your house and get organised site Fly Lady does too...but you have to sing "Please relese me let me go/for I don't love you any more..." while you clean. (me singing...that's a scary thought)Lol.
I know procrastination is bad and all (and I am the worst offender for some things) but the image of you with your tea looking out the window says to me that sometimes we just need to set the unimportant aside and take a minute for ourselves.
Reading your two posts has made me consider purchasing that Zen Habits e-book...I think it would be very thought-provoking. And this 'change' in particular...I know if I said 'only ten minutes' I would keep going and finish the task more often than not. Great suggestion!
Focus for ten minutes--that's great advice.
(In the movie Knight and Day starring Tom Cruise his character says, "Someday is really code for never."
Love that!
Oh, I think we've all been under procrastinations spell at one time or other... I've been there too! Online time is my downfall, so I try to allot time--get it done, then log off. Depending on the task, I try to allot anywhere from 10-30 minutes, then take a break, work more if I need to, set time. Rinse, repeat. ;o) Here's to getting things done in 2013! Happy Days, Raina ((HUGS))
I'm a procrastinator too -- somehow the assignment gets done, but it is stressful. Thanks for the great advice.
(Although, I must say...while I was procrastinating, I was able to enjoy your gorgeous pictures LOL!)
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