Procrastination

A Hardening Of The “Oughteries”

The word procrastinate comes from the Latin words Pro meaning “forward” and Cras, meaning “tomorrow.” Sometimes procrastination, which generally has a bad reputation, is valid. If I cannot give the proper amount of time or attention to an important task, it behooves me to sleep on it and return to the task when I can give it the concentration and time it deserves. Moving something forward till tomorrow with a conscious, positive intention is smart.

 

“I never put off till tomorrow what I can do the day after.” – Oscar Wilde

 

Procrastination, however, generally has a negative connotation. It is usually interpreted as being lazy, which in and of itself is an excuse for something deeper: avoiding some sort of rejection, perceived inadequacy, an undeveloped ability to delay gratification, perfectionism, an unconscious bonding with someone who modeled that behavior, feeling like you “ought” do something vs choosing to for your own highest good, and most people’s favorite: boredom.

While none of us likes being bored, boredom is a natural part of life. High levels of excitement with constant dopamine hits is an impossible state to remain in. You cannot really appreciate wealth if you’ve never been financially challenged, winning if you’ve never lost, being fit if you’ve never been out of shape, success if you’ve never failed at anything. There is a simple beauty in boredom, in the mundane. It is as restorative as sleep. While none of us wants to stay bored for an undue length of time, boredom can be a rich soil for creativity, spurring us to expand, challenge ourselves and find something exciting or meaningful.

When it comes to those tasks that few of us enjoy, that most of us would certainly prefer to procrastinate because it involves pain of some sort (i.e. getting that root canal, paying taxes, etc), finding a way to see the reward in it vs what you are losing helps. A root canal, while costly and not fun, will prevent further pain, enhance your smile and your overall health. I learned to take a positive turn on paying taxes (something many people procrastinate to their detriment!) from Chellie Campbell’s non-fiction, THE WEALTHY SPIRIT. She states: “My tax money goes to all the good things, like the libraries and the schools. It fixes the roads, pays for policemen to keep me safe and firemen to rescue me if I need it. It goes to pay for the space program, which I really like, and to the relief organizations to feed the poor and starving. It goes to the welfare recipients who really need some assistance briefly and then go back to leading productive lives. I like how the government helps people with my money.” This mindset can allow you to save for and pay taxes in a timely manner as if you are contributing to something bigger than you. Because you are.

Those with ADHD do innately have a tougher time starting and completing “boring” tasks due to their brains’ different chemistry and executive functioning. Specific techniques can be learned to manage this natural tendency with professional help, or through: 
https://www.verywellmind.com/adhd-and-chronic-procrastination-20379.
ADHDers can be fully effective in whatever they choose to pursue.

Here are five easy ways to break the habit of procrastination:

1. Write it down, and make it happen. Most of us get psychologically geared up when we have a set date in our calendars. You write down a DDS appointment, a job interview, a date. Treat your tasks with the same dignity.
2. Remove all distractions. Put pets and phones and anything else unnecessary to the task at hand in another room. This may cause separation anxiety at first, but that will pass. Before cell phones existed, a lot of people did a lot of things.
3. Break down tasks into baby steps. Just five minutes to begin with. Beginning is usually the hardest part.
4. Worst first. Do your least desirable task first and knock it out. Then all the others are a piece of cake.
5. Reward Yourself. Celebrate your completion by positively reinforcing your new behavior. In time, the completion itself will become its own reward.

Procrastinate procrastination!

I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to anyone who wishes to make a positive change in their life. Please get in touch to schedule your call.

 

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” – Pablo Picasso