Tweet

Procrastination Attack! Beat the Clock

Written by: Stephanie Calahan

Article Overview: I have to admit, one of my big vices is coffee. I drink different kinds, but as I sit and write or do any other work at my desk in the evening and into the night, you will usually see a cup of Java close to me. To make this posting make any sense, I must also admit that I really don't like to do laundry, to take out garbage or to deal with dirty or clean dishes. (a domestic goddess I am not...) In the last 2 weeks, I have decided to use this Joe-drinking habit to my advantage. It now helps me fight procrastination.

Procrastination Attack! Beat the Clock

I have to admit, one of my big vices is coffee. I drink different kinds, but as I sit and write or do any other work at my desk in the evening and into the night, you will usually see a cup of Java close to me.

To make this posting make any sense, I must also admit that I really don't like to do laundry, to take out garbage or to deal with dirty or clean dishes. (a domestic goddess I am not...)

In the last 2 weeks, I have decided to use this Joe-drinking habit to my advantage. It now helps me fight procrastination.

While I love coffee, I don't drink it very fast. Frequently, it will get cold before the cup is even half empty. So, when I go to take a drink I decide to get up and throw it in the microwave to heat it up. That takes 1 minute. When I brew my coffee, it takes about 8 minutes from the time I get out the stuff to make it and the time it is done.

That is not long . . .

Most you will agree that neither 8 minutes or 1 minute are very long and that most people could sustain undesired activities for that long. Thinking that through for a moment, I decided to give it a try. I decided to decide that I would use those few minutes every so often in my day to get the things done that I did not want to do.

Why domestic type items during that time?

I picked activities that were close in proximity to where I made or heated my coffee. Since the activities were close, it has been easy to do one or two things and then move on with my day.

It is working

Now that I have personally tested this for 3 months, I can tell you that it is working for me! The laundry is 100% up to date, all garbage cans are empty and dishes are not in the sink or on the counter. I even added wiping down cabinets and cleaning out the fridge to the list.

I work quickly and efficiently because I have made it a game. How much can I get through before the microwave beeps or the coffee pot stops percolating? (Yes, coffee lovers, I still use a percolator most of the time.) I have even surprised myself at what can get done during that time.

What can you do with the things you procrastinate on to beat the clock?

Related Articles
  Pushing Past Procrastination - The Revelation
  How to beat procrastination
  Marketing strategies: Procrastination and the Fear of Failure
  Harley-Davidson Quotes
  Top Tips for Beating Procrastination when You have ADHD

Article Tags: admit one, beeps, cabinets, coffee lovers, coffee pot, desk, different kinds, dishes, domestic goddess, few minutes, fridge, game, garbage cans, habit, laundry, microwave, percolator, procrastination, proximity, vices



Related Forum Posts
Re: What is your biggest challenge? Today? - My biggest challenge is focusing. There are so many things I want to do and ideas that I have. I can never decide what to do next and when I do decide it's hard to focus on it and get it done. Procrastination is the resulting outcome.
Re: Company services - [quote="bmueller47":2rl7ve6q]Hi there, Just for curiosity, can anyone share, what was there longest wait on the phone. As for me, it took me near enough an whole hour. Mind you, I had it on the speakerphone and it was not a timed call, ie it was free. I was doing something else during that time. Regards Beat[/quote:2rl7ve6q] Hi Beat, I was recently put on hold and had to wait 40 minutes before I got through to a live person to take my tennis court booking (and by then, most of the good time slots were already taken). For a $194/Winter Season Membership, I expect a little better service than that.
replying to forum posts with no answers - Thanks Beat - we solved the problem but I appreciate the reply!
Re: How many nationalities are on the forum? - Hi Beat, Yes, one can! I voted a few days ago without posting. DH
Re: How many nationalities are on the forum? - Hi Beat, I am from Israel. And i am in minority in my own country too in this business.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

TOP Level Selling

Coaching - An Effective Tool for Managers

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.