Fight Procrastination Today

There's something truly fulfilling about today's Fight Procrastination Day falling on a Sunday. Tomorrow is the start of a brand-new week, giving a clean slate for a fresh start on your productivity, and it's the perfect time to attack those high priority tasks on which you've been procrastinating. However, it takes a little prep work. Here's where to start:

• Break projects into bite-sized actions. No entire project can be completed at one time; instead, list them as tasks that can be completed step-by-step, checking each item off one by one from a daily, weekly, monthly or annual to-do list. When creating this list, start each item with a verb, and make sure it is broken down into the smallest increment of what is to be done so it's more feasible.
• Gain clarity on what's unclear. Vague priorities, unclear directions, lack of knowing how to do something and being unfamiliar with the order in which to move through the steps necessary for getting tasks done are all problematic. Ask questions to better understand the objective, your team's priorities, how to accomplish each step necessary and why it must get done; if you don't know how to do something, ask someone who does know it for assistance. Never be afraid to ask those questions, realizing that the result to not asking is far worse than any answer you could receive.
• Set deadlines for each specific task. I have yet to find a calendar that includes "someday"; therefore, when we say "I'll get to that someday" or "I'll work on that when I get some free time", we are usually setting ourselves up for failure. Instead, assign deadlines for each of the smaller, bite-sized actions within the projects to be completed, making it possible to block off time on your calendar for when each task will be completed. Every "what" assigned a "when" is more likely to get accomplished, leading to more wins.
• Quiet any perfectionist tendencies. One of my favorite mantras reminds me that, "Done can be better than perfect so focus on good enough." Perfectionism is frequently the cause of procrastination; subsequently, focusing on the desired results can empower us to get past waiting for "the right time"and get us to stop continuing our work on projects for perpetuity in the effort of achieving perfection. Stop comparing yourself with others; achieving your desired results usually has little to do with how the finished product compares with what others do or have done. Instead, focus on getting things done to the best of your ability, not necessarily in a perfect way.
• Utilize a timer. Maybe you prefer time-blocking with the Pomodoro Technique or the Rule of 52 and 17, but, regardless, a timer can be your most powerful tool for getting things done. Working in a focused manner for a short stretch can boost both efficiency and total output, particularly when you shutdown all potential distractions during that time... Anyone can do an undesirable action for a short spurt, and it's amazing how much more can get done in a shorter amount of time than if you think you have longer to finish. Most importantly, when the timer goes off, you may find that you are engrossed in the task and will keep at it, getting even more accomplished, or you had been distracted and need to refocus for another timed session.
• Implement music's motivating abilities. Some people are energized by fast-paced music while others get more focused via smoother tunes, both leading to greater productivity. Pick enough tunes in the tone you prefer to fill your set block of time, group them together as your productivity playlist and use that playlist to motivate desired output.
• Spend time with folks getting things done. For years, I've heard that you become like the people with whom you spend time. If you prioritize spending time with people in your life who are considered hard workers or go-getters, their energy will rub off on you and motivate similar productivity in yourself. As activity breeds activity, time with productive peers can inspire greater productivity within ourselves, even if it's across a computer screen.

Which tasks have you been pushing forward? Are they actually projects that need to be broken down into individual action steps? Or are they tasks that need to be delegated or deleted? How can you make a little movement forward today?

Stop Procrastinating

Procrastination is often due to being overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. Sometimes, it stems from being unclear as to what is expected for completing a requested task or simply not knowing how to start the task at hand; other times, it is because we are unable to decide which to-do is the highest priority and, therefore, don't attempt any of the tasks needing our attention. Whether productivity is being held up by a lack of knowledge, clarity, skills or something else, ultimately, action is necessary to continue desired progress.

At times, procrastination helps us gain clarity by providing time for ruminating or marinating our options; yet, if procrastination continues for too long, it prevents getting things done, achieving desired results and attaining set goals, none of which are good.

Stop procrastinating! Use these options to get the ball rolling:

• Break projects into smaller, bite-sized actions. No entire project can be completed at one time; instead, when them down into tasks that can be completed step-by-step, checking each item off, one by one, from a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual to-do list. When creating this list, start each item with a verb, and make sure it is broken down into the smallest increment of what is to be done so it's more feasible.

• Gain clarity on anything that is confusing or unclear. Vague priorities, unclear directions, lack of knowing how to do something and being unfamiliar with the order in which to move through the steps necessary for getting tasks done are all problematic. Ask questions to better understand the objective, your team's priorities and how to accomplish each step necessary; if you don't know how to do something, ask someone who does know it for assistance. Never be afraid to ask those questions, realizing that the result to not asking is far worse than any answer you could receive.

• Set deadlines for each specific task. I have yet to find a calendar that includes "someday"; therefore, when we say "I'll get to that someday" or "I'll work on that when I get some free time", we are usually setting ourselves up for failure. Instead, assign deadlines for each of the smaller, bite-sized actions within the projects to be completed, making it possible to block off time on your calendar for when each task will be completed. Every "what" assigned a "when" is more likely to get accomplished, leading to more wins.

• Maintain accountability for designated deadlines. Some people respond better to a reward being held in front of them for completing a necessary task; other folks respond better to avoiding punishment or embarrassment from not completing assigned tasks. Once you know what motivates you, use that self-awareness to drive your desired behavior and encourage your greater focus on achieving desired results. Make it fun, utilizing gamification when possible, and make what best motivates you a tool for accomplishing what must be done.

• Quiet any perfectionist tendencies. One of my favorite mantras reminds me that, "Done can be better than perfect so focus on good enough." Perfectionism is frequently the cause of procrastination; subsequently, focusing on the desired results can empower us to get past waiting for "the right time"and get us to stop continuing our work on projects for perpetuity in the effort of achieving perfection. Stop comparing yourself with others; achieving your desired results usually has little to do with how the finished product compares with what others do or have done. Instead, focus on getting things done to the best of your ability, not necessarily in a perfect way.

• Utilize a timer. Working in a focused manner for a short stretch can boost both efficiency and total output... Anyone can do an undesirable action for a short spurt, and it's amazing how much more can get done in that shorter amount of time than if you think you have longer to finish. If you think you have all afternoon to do something, it will likely take that full amount of time; however, if you set a timer for a shorter timeframe, you'd be amazed how much you can get done in that block of time. Likewise, if you are a competitive person, try getting more done within a set amount of time than you expect you can or have done in previous instances. Most importantly, when the timer goes off, you may find that you are engrossed in the task and will keep at it, getting even more accomplished.

• Minimize interruptions. It can take 23 minutes to recover from a distraction, which means productivity suffers each time we get distracted. Deactivate social media notifications, and schedule specific times to check those sites for what's happening. Send phone calls to voice mail while working diligently on a task that's coming due, catching up on calls at set times during your day. Turn off previews of new emails, scheduling when you will look at your inbox instead of letting your inbox bleed into all that you're doing. Remove visual clutter from your workspace, wear headphones to signal when you are not to be disturbed, and fill the chairs in your office to prevent those stopping by from making themselves at home.

• Implement music's motivating abilities. Some people are energized by fast-paced music while others get more focused through smoother tunes, both leading to greater productivity. Pick enough tunes in the tone you prefer to fill a set block of time, group them together as your productivity playlist and, then, use that playlist to motivate desired output.

• Put color to work within your space. A study published by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that red increases attentiveness; a separate study by the University of British Columbia shares how blue boosts creativity. Whether via color in your desk accessories, on your walls, in what you wear or through what you eat, bring into your workspace what color fuels the actions you hope to be taking.

• Spend more time with folks who get things done. For years, I've heard that you become like the people with whom you spend time. If you prioritize spending time with people in your life who are considered hard workers or go-getters, their energy will rub off on you and motivate similar productivity in yourself. As activity breeds activity, time with productive peers can insight greater productivity within ourselves when we spend time with those getting more accomplished.

There are many times during which we need to follow Nike's advice and just do it, especially if the task takes less time to complete than how long it would require to re-focus and re-start the related thought process when we return to it later. These tactics can help.

Which tactics do you prefer for limiting procrastination? Are there any on this list you'll try when stuck next?

Top Ten Ways to Stop Procrastinating

Organize for Success® Turns 10

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook from OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop. The grand prize package for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years in business will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute video productivity consultation.

Today, let's cover my favorite ways to stop procrastinating:

10. Create a productivity playlist. Music is a highly motivating tool; some people get energized to work through fast-paced music while others get more focused through smoother tunes. Whichever you prefer, pick enough tunes in the tone you prefer to fill a set block of time and, then, use that set to motivate desired output.

9. Utilize a timer. Working in a focused, frantic manner for a short stretch can boost both efficiency and total output. If you are a competitive person, try getting more done in that short amount of time than you expect or have done previously; further, anyone can do an undesirable action for a short spurt. You may find, when the timer goes off, you are engrossed in the task and will keep at it.

8. Implement the right color scheme. A study published by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that red has been shown to increase attentiveness; a separate study by the University of British Columbia found that blue can boost creativity. Whether via color in your desk accessories, your walls, what you wear or what you eat, bring into your workspace what color fuels your desired actions.

7. Quiet any perfectionist tendencies. Earlier this week, when sharing my Top Ten Favorite Mantras, I explained how "Done is better than perfect so focus on good enough." Since perfectionism is frequently the cause of procrastination, focusing on the desired results often empowers us to get past waiting for the "right time" or continuing our work on projects until they are perfect. Likewise, stop comparing yourself with others; achieving your desired results usually has little to do with how the finished product compares with what others do or have done. Instead, focus on getting things done to the best of your ability, not necessarily in a perfect way.

6. Minimize interruptions. It can take 23 minutes to recover from a distraction at work, which means productivity requires a limit to what distractions we accept. Deactivate notifications of what's happening on social media, and schedule specific times to check into those sites. Send phone calls to voice mail while working diligently on specific project, catching up on calls at set times during your day. Turn off previews of what emails are coming into your inbox. Remove visual clutter from your workspace. Wear headphones to signal when you are not to be disturbed.

5. Spend more time with those getting things done. If you prioritize spending time with people in your life who are considered hard workers or go-getters, their energy will rub off on you and motivate similar productivity in yourself. Activity breeds activity so time with productive peers can insight greater productivity within ourselves when we spend time with those getting things done.

4. Break projects into smaller, bite-sized actions. No entire project can be completed at one time; instead, when those projects are broken down into tasks that can be completed step-by-step, you are empowered to check each item off, one by one, from a daily, weekly, monthly or other interval to-do list. Start each action with a verb, and do what you can to make sure it is carved down into something that can be accomplished in one sitting.

3. Set deadlines for each of those specific tasks. I have yet to find a calendar including "someday", and, when free time arises in our schedules, we are highly unlikely to address tasks we've been putting off. If you assign deadlines for each of the smaller, bite-sized actions within your current projects, you can block off time in your calendar for when they will be completed. Every "what" with a "when" is more likely to get accomplished, leading to more wins.

2. Gain clarity on anything that is confusing or unclear. Vague priorities, unclear directions, lack of knowing how to start and being unfamiliar with what steps to take to get the task done can all lead to procrastination. Therefore, prevent unclear expectations from holding you back by asking yourself or the person assigning you a task whatever questions will gain clarity; ask questions to better understand the objective of the task as well as what steps are recommended for getting it all done.

1. Hold yourself accountable for meeting the designated deadlines. Sometimes, people respond more effectively when a reward is held in front of them for completing a necessary task; other times, people are more effective when avoiding punishment or embarrassment. Once you know which motivates you more, use that information to drive your desired behavior and focus on your results. Make it fun, implementing gamification when possible, and play off what best motivates you to accomplish what must be done.

Which tactics do you prefer for limiting procrastination? Are there any on this list you're going to try? 

Put an End to Procrastination

When we procrastinate, it is often because we are overwhelmed by all that needs to get done, we are unclear as to what is expected of us for a requested task, we cannot decide which to-do has the highest priority level and should be done first or we simply do not know how to start the task at hand. Sometimes, procrastination can be a good thing as it gives us time to ruminate and gain clarity on how to proceed; however, more frequently, it is important to put an end to procrastination before it has a negative impact.

Simple Steps to Get Rolling

If you are uncertain how to stop procrastinating, here are a few ideas to help:

- Break projects into bite-sized actions so each step in the process is less daunting.

- Ask for help or seek direction on anything that is ambiguous.

- Nike was right... If a task will take 5 minutes or less, just do it.

- If a task will take longer than 5 minutes, set a timer for a short interval of time (like 15 minutes) and simply get started.

- Assign rewards for celebrating successful completion of tasks; likewise, implement ramifications for not meeting your deadlines.

- If problems prioritizing the tasks on your to-do list is what's holding you back, consider what negative consequences would result from not doing each item as well as what benefits would come from completing each item; then, address first those items with either the worst consequences for not getting them done or the greatest benefits from their completion.

It is possible to get everything done, but we cannot get it all done at one time or by the snap of our fingers; however, these tactics can make the process of moving from "to-do" to "done" easier.

What types of tasks typically cause you to procrastinate greater? Do you utilize any of these techniques to overcome procrastination currently? Which can you put into action?

Music Matters

Retailers have been integrating music into marketing campaigns for years to drive behavior, boost consideration and fuel sales. There is a great deal of research about how music affects our moods while driving, particularly for teenage drivers. Researchers have found that time feels like it is moving more quickly while we listen to music, and there is even a book named The Psychology of Music, written by Diana Deutsch, which can be purchased from here. It goes without saying that, yes, music does matter!

Yet, the reach and influence of music's abilities do not stop there. Music can be a very powerful addition to your productivity toolbox. Depending on the type of music you are listening to at any given time, music can help you accomplish all of the following:

- Set the mood

- Motivate behavior

- Stop procrastination

- Drive focus and concentration

- Energize

- Fuel performance

- Calm our spirits

When you are looking to plow through a daunting task, increase the challenge of your workout or recuperate from a stressful day, turn on a song that will help you achieve your desired results. If you are seeking inspiration, Lifehack offers "30 Inspirational Songs that Keep You Motivated for Life" or you can do a quick Google search for "music to ____" and insert what you are attempting.

Is music currently one of the tools in your productivity toolbox? If not, how can you utilize music to drive results?

Stop Procrastination in Its Tracks

If you find yourself stalling on important tasks, it might be the onslaught of distractions facing you each day; however, it could also be that you are procrastinating. If it is procrastination, take action:

* Don't know what to do or how it should be done? Make sure to ask, whether that's the client for whom you are performing the task, your manager that has asked you to complete this action or a business advisor / related expert in the community... Once you have such clarification, you'll be more confident, which will make it easier to get started.

* Make decisions based on the best available information and move forward. Gather what details you can, but don't delay unnecessarily if you don't know every conceivable facet.

* If you focus on fewer things at once, you'll get more accomplished faster; then the increased rate of success can fuel even more success.

* Break large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Bite-sized items are much more likely to be completed so make sure the items on your to-do list are concrete actions.

* Schedule time on your calendar for each task to be finished. Each "what" that has a "when" assigned to it is easier to get done.

* Set a timer for 15 minutes (or whatever you deem a reasonable timeframe), and get started; if you have momentum when the timer goes off, reset it for the same timeframe, and, then, continue as long as you maintain that momentum or until your next commitment.

What tactics do you utilize to overcome your own procrastination?