Although I still Procrastinate, I’d like to think I have successfully managed to lessen the pain and suffering I used to go through during my days of Procrastinating-all-of-the-time. As I read through my Twitter feed, I can get my hands on many lists of ways to stop Procrastinating and to be more efficient. What I’ve noticed is an absence of material on the really ugly underbelly of Procrastination where people lose their sense of ability, spirit, and creativity.
Here’s my effort to remedy the situation. The following is a list of thoughts about what pains us and how to cope more effectively:
- Be patient with yourself. If you are impatiently upset with yourself for Procrastinating, you will likely remain in that mode.
- Allow yourself to co-exist with those around you. Stop isolating yourself.
- Gradually pay the fines, return the things you borrowed, and make good on your words. One step at a time you’ll build back your freedom from Procrastination.
- Stop being tormented by the clock and clock time. If it takes you longer to do your work than it does Johnny, so what? Johnny’s got other problems, don’t you worry. Do your own work and see it to the finish.
- Stop tabulating and calculating how much time you have wasted. Essentially, stop beating your head against the wall.
- Stop obsessively thinking about how other people are disappointed with you, worried about you, or angry with you. You’ll be able to think better if you do.
- Accept your shortcomings, but also be open to feeling your capacities as you clear out old areas you’ve been Procrastinating on.
- Eliminate everything non-essential in your life. Gradually get rid of clutter, stress, unnecessary commitments and obligations.
- Start moving. Breathe fresh air every day. Walk. Stretch. Change your scenery.
- Start talking. Admit to your mistakes, then orient yourself towards your future.
- Announce (if even to yourself) the first bit of work you plan on getting done. I might just call this the “Bit List.” That itty bit becomes the focus. Makes everything literally more doable.
- Start fresh. It’s okay to call tomorrow a beginning, because in so many ways, it is.
- Understand that you’ve been ailing with the enormous burden of chronic Procrastination. Treat yourself kindly as you make healthier movements going forward.
Now that I’ve written this, I’m noticing how the pain and suffering I meant to address directly is not quite covered in the list of tips above. I believe the pain and suffering is alleviated only when the Procrastination cycle is broken, when we are able to take steps forward in whatever direction we choose.
There is a type of pain inherent in working – that’s why it’s called “work.” Strip your work process down to the barest bones so that you are left to face only that bit of the pain of working. It’s much more manageable and tolerable than the other types of pain we can inflict on ourselves. You know the kinds. You invented some of them.
Use your ingenuity to take bolder risks with your work. Instead of being consumed by fears of failure and of others’ criticisms, use that energy to say something bigger, better, and crazier. Make your statement now, if only for the sole purpose of getting on with the rest of your life.
Thoughts? Comments? Insights? Revelations?
