Procrastination Management

I am suffering from terrible procrastination today.

I have a document that I should really get finished but I can barely look at it without being distracted. It’s one of those jobs that I just can’t be bothered to do. I know it needs doing, I know it will be better when it is done, but I really just can’t get enthusiastic about getting it done.

I’m playing the game of procrastination by avoidance. Most people experience it from time to time:

I’ll just do this, and then I’ll get around to that document.

I’ll just check my emails and then I’ll get around to that document. Oh dear, no new ones.

I’ll just check on my feeds to see what’s new.

Right read them, I wonder if I now have some new emails to distract me. Great a new one.

Right dealt with that, I’ll no see if there any more new ones. Oh dear, no new ones.

Wish my phone would ring.

I’ll just check on the BBC to see if there is any significant news today.

I’ll just have a sneaky check on Facebook.

Slow news day today. I wonder if I now have some new emails to distract me. Oh dear no new ones.

Wish someone would IM me.

I’ll just check on my feeds to see what’s new. Oh dear no new ones.

Who can I IM for a chat.

I’ll just have a sneaky check on Facebook.

I’ll just go and make a drink.

and on, and on, and on.

It’s time for some procrastination busting.

Here is my technique for procrastination busting.

Finish small achievable task – get reward

A small task is something like: review a section or update a section.

Rewards are things like: make a drink, IM a colleague, read feeds, read email.

I do not allow myself to do any of the rewards things until I have finished the current task.

Before I really know it I have finished the big task, by doing the little tasks.

Simple really.

Off now to get section 1 of this document updated, then it will be time for a cup of tea and then on to section 2.