10 Tips to Stop Procrastinating and Get Sh*t Done

SOOOO many of my friends struggle with procrastination ... guess what? SO DO I.   

Just this week I found myself spending and eating so much more than I normally do and feeling disappointed in myself for not facing that big item on my todo list.   

So, what did I do…I let go of judgment about my spending and eating and I took some time to reflect. Here is what I learned...

My journey led me to realize that my spending and eating and avoidant behavior were actually neon signs pointing towards unresolved feelings about my to-do list.   

Let's dive into the treasure trove of 10 tips to uncover the root cause of procrastination and transform our mindset about getting sh#t done—even for my fellow adventurers with ADHD.
 

The Procrastination-Perfectionism Paradox

Once upon a time, in the land of Endless To-Dos, I realized that my procrastination was often a dance with my inner perfectionist. The fear of not doing something perfectly led me to the comforting arms of "I’ll just eat cake." But, as the deadline dragon loomed closer, my "fuck it" shield would activate, leading to ignore the to do list and go shopping!. It was a cycle as predictable as the phases of the moon, yet as frustrating as a puzzle missing one crucial piece.
 

Unearthing the Root Cause
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize that procrastination is often a symptom, not the problem. It's your brain's way of saying, "Hey, I'm overwhelmed/scared/bored with this task." Listen to those feelings; they're clues on the treasure map to productivity. (more about sitting with uncomfortable feelings)

2. Break It Down: A study in the *Journal of Consumer Research* found that breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable parts makes them seem less daunting and easier to start. Think of it as turning a mountain back into a molehill.

3. The Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This gem from David Allen's "Getting Things Done" is like finding a shortcut on your quest. It's surprising how many tasks we put off that can be done in the blink of an eye. 

4. Set the Stage: Environment matters. A study in the *Journal of Environmental Psychology* showed that a well-organized and pleasant workspace can significantly impact productivity. So, make your workspace a place where you actually want to spend time.

5. The Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This technique helps keep your brain fresh and reduces the intimidation factor of a never-ending work marathon.

6. Find Your Why: Connect each task with a bigger goal or value. Understanding why you're doing something can give you that extra push to get started. It's like reminding yourself why you started this quest in the first place.

7. Reward Yourself: Set up a reward system for completing tasks. It could be something small, like a cup of your favorite tea, or something bigger for larger tasks. It's your personal "loot" for conquering the procrastination dragon.

8. Seek Accountability: Share your goals with a friend, family member, or even on social media. Knowing that someone else is cheering you on can be incredibly motivating.

9. Embrace Imperfection: Give yourself permission to do a "good enough" job. Perfection is the enemy of progress. Sometimes, you just need to get it done and move on.

10. Reflect and Adjust: Take time to reflect on what's working and what's not. Be willing to adjust your strategies as you learn more about what drives your procrastination.

So….The thing on my todo list that I was putting off was “Write a blog post to my client”. The feeling I discovered behind my procrastination was...“No one wants to hear me ramble on”.  I sat with that feeling and soon realized that Ii can be curious and see who this does resonate with.  

By understanding the root causes of our procrastination, we can start to dismantle the barriers we've built between ourselves and our to-do lists.  It's not about becoming a productivity robot; it's about finding a way to work that respects our feelings, harnesses our strengths, and acknowledges our challenges.  

So, here's to digging deep, uncovering those hidden feelings, and transforming our mindset about getting sh#t done.

Let the adventure begin!