Procrastination: The Sneaky Sloth Within
As a woman on the far side of fifty, you’d think I’d have slayed my demons long ago. And, yes, in all due modesty, I’ve challenged and overcome some pretty formidable shortcomings. I now exercise regularly, I’ve trained myself to forego those tempting bags of delightfully crunchy corn chips, and I’ve even learned to say “no” to people and projects I wish to avoid. (Well, mostly!) But, as New Year’s resolutions are still front and center most everywhere we turn, I’m going to confess to a biggie—a demon I still grapple with and a super self-sabotage mechanism I’ve employed far too frequently over the years: procrastination.
Yes, procrastination. It can whither one’s will and render one immovable. It sneaks into the unsuspecting brain with such salvos as “I’ll get to that later,” or “I’ve got to finish such and such first,” or “It really isn’t that important anyway.”
Meanwhile the task, now languishing in the recesses of one’s mind, grows and grows until it becomes the unspoken elephant in the cerebral cortex. Yep, hard as we might try to ignore it, the dreaded chore has taken on gigantic proportions and is silently gnawing away at us.
So, what to do? Experts in organization and time management suggest we take large projects and break them down into manageable steps; i.e. eat that elephant in your brain one bite at a time. I’m all for that because it feels good to make lists and check things off.
Others say we should start with the most difficult parts of a project first so we get them over with and can move on to more pleasant activities. Now, to me, this is an invitation for procrastination at its most potent. “No way!” I’d be shouting to myself, “nothing’s worth doing that.”
But a while back, a very wise person gave me a gem of an idea: Why not start with the parts of a project you love? So in a recent task fraught with the potential for procrastination, I did just that. And I’m pleased to report that even the most onerous of chores became manageable when I broke it down into smaller pieces and began with things I enjoy. In fact, my energy shifted, I became motivated, and I began to experience a sense of accomplishment that transformed my attitude and boosted my confidence. I started to feel like I was on a roll and before I knew it the dreaded undertaking was nearly complete.
So, for all you feisty ladies out there who may be putting off those big-time projects you really can’t avoid, do yourself a favor; pick the parts you like and that give you energy. Start with them. The rest will follow and you’ll be amazed at all you can accomplish once you feed your inner sloth with just the right mixture of fun and success.
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February 4th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Yes, it does seem at times we struggle with another (slothful) personality in there. Iv’e found that getting up and doing something is better than sitting and wishing. And, blogging doesn’t count – I need to get up an move around. That helps me to get back on track to start on whatever I was procrastinating about.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:26 am
My problem is that loafing seems like “doing something” to me!!
January 21st, 2009 at 5:35 am
Inner sloth, I love the visual. Sloths are actually kind of cute–in the animal world. Ok, I’ll admit, I can channel slothdom with the best of them so will remember to go after what I like about the dreaded project and do that first. Now if you would point out the likable bits of doing my taxes, I’d be on my way to Turbotax with a vengeance!
January 19th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Wow, Eileen! I am not a professional procrastinator; I only put off the things I hate to do!
I am so relieved to hear you have succeeded in doing the parts you love first, which has always been my intuitive approach. I’m not as good at getting out of overwhelm and breaking down into small bites, but I am getting better. I think this is actually the Holy Grail of Getting Things Done. I don’t know about you, but being way on the far side of 50 myself, I do feel a bit pressured by the knowledge that I don’t have all the time left in the world to accomplish my overzealous To Do List. A very successful writer friend of mine only works on what she feels like doing. Doesn’t it sound almost sinful? But it really works for her–and for me, too, when I can let go and know that the universe will take care of the rest if I use my natural enthusiasm as the engine. Along the way, I might even find the fun in those parts I was dreading!
January 18th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Very good recommendation! My very first coach made a similar recommendation to me. Before I knew it, I was churning away, happily enjoying getting lots of things done. That’s been more than six years ago and it still works! THANKS for sharing the recommendation. I LOVE IT!!
Warmly,
WendyY
January 18th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Guilty! I have a ton of cleaning and organizing to do and yet would rather blog hop today. Sounds like procrastination to me!
Thanks for being the voice of reason. I’m off to clean out a drawer. Then I’ll visit another blog as my reward
.
Warmest regards,
Heidi Richards Mooney, Publisher ~ WE Magazine for women
January 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Procrastination is a fault of mine. I’m getting better with my on-going to do list in a notebook that I carry with me at all times. Thanks for your post!!
January 18th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Procrastination – one of my major issues. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who suffers from it. Thanks for the advice on how to overcome my propensity for putting things off until tomorrow.
January 17th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Procrastination is one of my favorite vices … we’ve become such very good friends. But one step forward does seem to lead to another and another and then another, doesn’t it? Little bits at a time, add up to the whole–great way to tackle a project, Eileen.
January 17th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Oh, its so good to hear that other people are great at the art of procrastination too. Yes, I call it an art form. I mean I’ve become so good at it! It can be used to do all sorts of other things, rather than struggle with the one thing you don’t want to do. Wanderful! Only problem is the one thing you don’t want to do, at the end of the day is still there…..
January 17th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Did you have to touch that button!!!! Thanks for the encouragement, though. 2009 is the year to “just do it”! (even if its just one little step toward that elephant-sized goal).
January 17th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I agree with starting a dreaded project (or any project!) with those parts that you love the most. Used to be I thought you should save those aspects until last, as a reward. But much like eating dessert first, why wait? Thanks for the reminder as I delve into first-of-the-year tasks and prepare for tax time! Diana http://www.basicblackblog.blogspot.com
January 17th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Rightio, think I fed it enough for oneday, time to take a break!
Thanks Eileen, your suggestions and advice, always taken in, and appreciated.
January 17th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Procastination rears its ugly head in my life from time to time and it can linger if I don’t stay focused on whatever task is before me.
I used to think procrastination was a good thing—believe it or not. Why? Because it gave me some much needed “down time” from working 24/7.
Another great post, Eileen. Keep ‘em coming in 2009.
January 17th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Oh, you’re reading my mind today. Every room I walk into is filled to capacity with “stuff” I need to do.
I generally sigh and very long and discouraged sigh and walk out. So not a good idea.
I always knew there was an inner sloth hanging around in there somewhere.