Six ways to beat procrastination
Procrastination keeps me from achieving my goals. Since finding the “Getting things Done” system, I no longer have disorganization as my excuse - I know what it is I have to do. However, I am not great at actually doing it. These five “tricks” help me achieve.
1. The List of Three
A reader comment at Zen Habits introduced me the the “Rule of Three” trick. I select three tasks to do next. I can only look at the rest of my list when these three tasks are done. This is akin to the “once you pick it up, don’t put it down until you have fixed it” trick, and it works great.
This has massively increased my productivity. Once I have processed my inbox, I flag three tasks and filter my view for “flagged only”. I use Omnifocus, but most task managers will let you flag tasks and filter in this way. A low-tech method would be to put your three tasks on a sticky note.
This has prevented “must-do-today” tasks from becoming lost. My action list tasks are also becoming more granular. Now I write “PubMed search: hyperbaric oxygen AND pancreatitis 2005-2008″ instead of “Do background research on pancreatitis and hyperbaric.” And it is a great feeling to finish all the tasks on your list, multiple times over the day.
2. Have a “quick entry” system
Quick entry to-do lists are essential when studying. But it is vital for “real work,” too. I tend to lose focus if I get distracted, and follow a trail of prompts, that usually ends in vague web-surfing and getting nothing done.
I keep a scratch pad by my side, to jot thoughts, so they can’t interrupt. If I am on my computer, I can use Quicksilver, or Omnifocus has a quick entry box as well. Another alternative is to use Quicksilver to append text to a text document.
3. Give yourself procrastination time
An oldie, but a goodie. Make sure you have some scheduled time to do the sort of thing that interests you but wastes your time. You will have less excuse to do it when you are meant to be working.
4. Delegate some of your tasks to others
Some tasks become tired, and get shoved to one side. If you supervise junior staff, give them some of your time-intense tasks to do. A clever intern will enjoy working up your weekly audit list. You may need to spend a bit more time after they have finished, but you have accountability to another person, so it is more likely to get done.
5. Get accountability
It is hard to keep up with multiple goals and priorities. Sometimes they slide. If there is something that you are really keen to get done, then give yourself an outside motivator. For example, I have been working on this blog for over twelve months. It is important to me, but life gets in the way. So I am participating in “Blogging Idol” this month to spend one month really, really working on getting subscribers to my blog.
Your priority is probably different to mine. There are many ways to achieve accountability. If you want to write a novel, join NaNoWriMo. If you want to run a marathon, put in your entry to your local marathon. If you want to get fit, join group personal training.
6. Get a habit
I am can’t stand ironing. I have started to create a habit of doing it for 30 minutes after breakfast every Saturday. I may not get enough done, but I get some done, and the pile is shrinking.
Tasks we hate are very easy to procrastinate away. Scheduling time to work on that task will develop into a habit. Habits are harder to avoid than “to-do’s” on a list.
This is not an exhaustive list, and it is certainly a work in progress. I will keep you updated with how I am going. How are you going? Leave a comment and share your own procrastination-avoidance tricks.
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