That Nasty thing Called Procrastination
Man, do I love to procrastinate! I think I subconsciously do it on purpose. I thrive under pressure; always have, in a sick way I like to have the looming pressure of deadlines. That pressure puts me in the zone, the weeks when I have the most due are always the weeks that I get the most done.
Excuses
Why do we procrastinate? Though I'd like to believe the above is the primary reason, I think it is more about these issues:
- I am inherently lazy.
- The task at hand is just boring. I find the less I'm excited or interested in the work, the more I put it off.
- Sometimes I'd rather do other stuff. Just because I can I guess. Call me a rebel.
- I lack a clear understanding of what it is I'm doing, so I just don't do it right away.
- I don't know how to do it, or I am limited in my knowledge.
Solutions
So those are my excuses... here are my solutions:
- I have been working on coming into work earlier, I find that the morning hours before the rest of the office and world gets going I can be more focused and creative.
- I schedule "no meeting, email or phone" time. This limits distractions and interruptions so I can get things moving.
- I make sure I have a clear understanding of the scope of everything I take on.
- I also try to do something on the project, at least, everyday... Momentum helps me be more productive in the big picture.
- These seem to be helping.