Alfred Montapert – “Don’t confuse motion with progress – a rocking horse keeps moving but doesn’t make progress.”
The web definition of procrastination is “the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time.” I define procrastination as doing ANYTHING other than the activity you defined as you #1 activity!
Confusing motion with progress I call “productive procrastination”. You will know you are suffering from this phenomena when you have a task list of 20 items, and you do anything BUT the #1 most important item on your list. You fool yourself into thinking you are making progress towards your goals because you are busy – all day, yet you aren’t working on the items that will actually move your business forward!
Some common “productive procrastination” tasks
- Working on a project due next month, instead of the one due tomorrow
- Most paperwork (unless the deadline is NOW!)
- Most cleaning (unless the President of the US, Queen of England, or your mother-in-law is visiting in an hour)
- Surfing the internet for the “perfect image” for your blog post (just find one and use it!)
- ANYTHING EXCEPT YOUR #1 PRIORITY!
I am most certainly NOT advocating never cleaning, never doing paperwork, or never working on projects ahead of time! My hope is to draw your attention to the fact that just because you are busy, doesn’t mean you are making progress!
Good news – if you suffer from “productive procrastination” there are some cures . . .
- Identify your #1 task each evening. Write this task on a Post-It note. Put the Post-It note over your task list (covering it up). Complete this task first, then look at the other items on your list.
- Schedule one hour each day to do “productive procrastination” tasks. Each time you find yourself slipping into your procrastination mode – remind yourself that you have scheduled time for these tasks – LATER.
- Set a timer for 5 minutes. Allow yourself to do anything you want until the timer goes off. BUT, once the 5 minutes is up – work on your #1 priority until completion.
- Play your “I’m getting motivated to work” song. Dance around the room, file papers, clean your desk, fold laundry, surf the internet, whatever. But once the song ends – procrastination time is over – and back to work!
- Use a “work buddy”. Set a deadline to complete your #1 priority and ask your accountability partner to check in with you at the appointed time. If you haven’t finished your task by the agreed upon time, you owe an agreed upon penalty.
Please – add to the list. What are your common “productive procrastination” tasks? What are some of your “cures”? Post below – I truly am curious!
AND remember the rocking horse!
Procrastination is the bane of my existence. I really hate those days when I’m busy and yet didn’t accomplish anything. The thing that has worked the best for me is scheduling “work days” with a partner. We have several check-ins throughout the day. At each check-in we report on what we accomplished and what we are doing next. Having that accountability really keeps me on track.
Another tool that has been working for me is the Pomodoro technique. This is where you set a timer and work for 25 or 40 minutes. Then when the timer goes off you have 5 minutes to do what you please. I have an app on my phone with a timer.
This has been really useful for me. It’s amazing how much you can focus when the clock is ticking and you know you only have 25 minutes before your break. Also, the clock seems to keep me from taking a break too soon.
Andrea –
Great ideas! The timer I use is called “Cool Timer” (from harmonyhollow.net). The clock face erases away as I work, so I visually can see the passage of time. Certainly keeps me focused on the task at hand!
Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa
Great tips. I’m guilty of “productive procrastination” now and then. The other month I was procrastinating by booking my hotel room for a friend’s wedding in October–although I did justify the action by the hotel had limited space and was quickly booking up. I’ve started recognising when I do it now though so I catch myself and get back on track. Thanks for sharing.
Alexandria –
Ahh – being aware of the tasks is the first step to solving the problem! Great job recognizing it! So glad you dropped by!
Lisa
You are so right. How do you know all this is happening to me!! I am actually involved in “productive procrastination. And in the end I think why i have not finished the important job. I have already started making a list as you mentioned. Hope to get over this soon.
Sweety –
Good luck with creating the list! Let me know how it goes!
Lisa
Lisa – How true!! So many times I tell myself it is time to work, but my mind really wants to go other places. In fact, eventually … if I am just working too much and not taking time for myself, my mind refuses to go to work until I do — something else — almost anything else becomes ‘vacation’ at that time.
So – a strategy for me, when I start to feel my mind wandering to everything but what is on my to-do list, is to recognize that maybe it is time for a break. Set a time allotment and go do something else – a mini-break!
Even standing outside in the sun counts as a mini break!
Thanks for pointing out how easy it is for us to confuse busy-ness with business!
Chris
Hi Chris!
So glad you stopped by! I agree . . . even standing in the sun is a mini-break. It’s my FAVORITE type of break!
Keep moving forward – and staying aware of what derails you – you are AWESOME!
Lisa
Dang darlin, you know me (or are you hiding out in as a Secret Procrastination Shopper in my office). I do very well at staying on task when I’m doing a specific project for clients or I’ve set a deadline for a specific project for my business. That said, I can do productive procrastination in more ways than you have room for in this comment!
Great post, as always and that awareness is the biggie, isn’t it?
Laugh Lots, Love More!
MamaRed
Ahh . . . MamaRed . . . awareness is the biggie!
It seems you’ve identified a way to stay on task, “when you are doing a specific project for clients or you’ve set a deadline for a project” . . . maybe more deadline setting is in your future???!!! :)
Lisa
That definitely makes sense Lisa…it is the setting the deadlines for myself (ok, blush, it’s STICKING to the deadlines I set for myself) that is the tougher task!
MamaRed
A strategy I’ve found helpful when “sticking” to deadlines is to find an accountability/work partner. Someone I can share my goals and deadlines with . . . and who will hold my feet to the fire if needed. Another option is to use BuddyHive. It’s an online accountability support group. I’m planning a blog post next week on the advantages of BuddyHive.
Lisa
[…] Don’t Confuse Progress With Motion – The Procrastination Dilemma […]
Thanks for the hints, you’re da best!
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