Procrastinators keep procrastinating!
Funny that so many people say that they are procrastinators …And they continue saying they have always been like that and they are just well, lazy. No such thing as laziness….I really don’t know one lazy person who is doing nothing at all, sitting all day and happily procrastinating.
Procrastinators just wait for the last minute to take an action, because they have no sense of urgency to act now. They just work differently. Procrastinators should understand that they are not lazy at all; they just need another technique and approach of how to get things done.
I believe that naturally some people are very enthusiastic and they get excited about a project/task and want to act now. Very often they have difficulties in consistency and completing the task. Others, on the other hand take so much more time to start something, but once they create that momentum, it is so easy for them to follow through.
So, first thing, understand how you are wired and make peace with who you are. By that I mean accept that part of you without judgment and criticism.
Secondly, If you are a procrastinator, create an urgency for you to start sooner. In university, you probably remember that you were handing in your project at the last minute, and that does not mean you were the worst one, you might have excelled those who started doing things months in advance. Use it as your superpower! You know that you can act quickly and get focused WHEN THERE IS AN URGENT NEED. You can create that urgent need artificially for yourself. Setting up a deadline and getting an Accountability partner (in work it could be your manager, colleague, someone who is not so close to you that you know he/she will “forgive” or “understand”) makes it easier for you to start the process.
Thirdly, question yourself, what part of the task/project are you procrastinating about? Is it coming up with an idea, is it writing an email, is it asking for help first, is it that you need a plan of action but you dislike doing that thing. Ask yourself a lot of questions till you get to that one small detail and then ask for help. Get someone to brainstorm with you, get someone to read proof the email, get advice etc. Assess the resources you need and make them available for you to use.
The more you neglect and dislike that part of you, the more it will present in your life. Change your perspective on it and view it as your superpower to get things done on time with a lesser amount of your own valuable time.
Happy procrastination!
Love you much,
Oksana