Overcoming Procrastination How to Procrastinate Productively
Overcoming Procrastination
Overcoming procrastination or structured procrastination is an interesting concept!
The following insightful article by John Wesley gives some great tips for making procrastination productive during those times when overcoming procrastination just isn't an option for the moment.
How to Procrastinate More Productively
By: John Wesley, Sep 5, 2007
Everyone experiences the desire to procrastinate. For one reason or another, nothing is harder than doing the one task that needs to get done. People go to great lengths — create excuses, find other work, or even hide — to avoid a dreaded task. Usually time spent procrastinating is simply wasted, but it doesn’t have to be.
When managed effectively, the desire to avoid one job can be used to get other things done. This strategy is called structured procrastination. Rather than doing nothing at all, take care of business that normally gets forgotten. This is a great way to deal with mundane chores. Use your desire to avoid real work to force yourself to work harder at something else!
My favorite structured procrastination activities include:
- Organizing my work area
- Networking
- Scheduling
- Tying up loose ends
- Meetings
- Running errands
- Clearing out my inbox
- Helping others
- Getting up to date
Of course, structured procrastination doesn’t always work. There will be times when you can’t stand to do anything work related. Usually this is a sign that you need to take a break and recharge.
Rather than forcing yourself to work when you aren’t up for it, embrace procrastination completely. These activities cure procrastination by rejuvenating energy and creative mojo:
- Go to lunch
- Exercise
- Take a walk
- Cat nap
- Creative thinking
- Read a good book
Of course, there are many other excellent alternatives for both structured and unstructured procrastination. The key is experimenting until you find what works for you. Hopefully these suggestions will help you think of new ways to get things done even when you don’t feel like it.
Written for LifeClever by John Wesley, who writes at pickthebrain.com about self-improvement, motivation, and building self-confidence.
Links to Other Information
Here are links to other special issues:
Go to: ADD-ADHD
Go to: ADD & Organizing
Go to: Causes of Stress
Go to: Clutter Help
Go to: Compulsive Hoarder
Go to: Helpful Articles
Go to: Procrastinate
Go to: What is S.A.D.
Here are the steps to help you get started on an organizing project.
Go to: Step #1: Start Here
Go to Step #2: Organized Mindset
Go to Step #3: Questions to Ask Yourself
Go to Step #4: Start Somewhere
Go to Step #5: Baby Steps to Declutter
Go to Step #6: Basic Principles of Organizing
Go to Step #7: Other Things to Consider
Go to Step #8: Last Things to Consider
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