Proactive steps to avoid Procrastination

Well it’s funny that I decided to write on this topic just a month back as the title sounds, I have happily procrastinated it :). The bigger question is, why does one procrastinate, I am only suggesting a method that has helped me achieve much more than what I thought I could accomplish in a day.

As much as I don’t like to call myself a procrastinator, I also know that in a few things, I am one. When we accept it, things work better. There are number of instances where, we need to prioritize, be it people, responsibilities and routines, there is always one that takes priority either in the broad avenues or a further deep into one of these. Some of us happily procrastinate while some of us don’t have a choice. I am not saying which is better or the ideal way it has to be done. I have a habit of setting reminders and jotting down a “TO-DO” list for my work and my personal chores. I know there has never been a day where I would have all the tasks checked. But at the same time, I wonder, if I could have got it all done.  

Finally it dawned upon me, why not I study my pattern and see if there can be any ways that this list of to do gets actually done instead of sitting in my list forever. So I made an attempt and realized that we keep adding more tasks although the old ones don’t get done or still remain only thinking the more we have in our bucket of things to, there might be an urge to get things done quicker, but it’s the reverse, it will only PILE UP.  So first get things done the moment you know you have to get it done. The minute you know you get a “that can wait” thought, don’t hold on instead get on and complete it, because one day or other, you have to get it done, why not do it today and not procrastinate. So I tried this, breaking my tasks using Covey’s time management principle and I must it WORKS, divide your tasks into the four quadrants such as the below:

This model really WORKS, if you invest some time in classifying your tasks. Ever since I have started doing this, I am happy to realize that my list actually gets replenished often. Similarly, apply this to your personal priorities as well, and you will be happy to see that you have migrated from a “procrastinate basket” to a “proactive basket”. 

One or Many at a time – Multitasking Myth!

 

Well, I am busy typing an email and then a whatsapp ping comes, so I go to check that, meanwhile a phone call comes, so I pick that, simultaneously, someone comes to meet me, so I go to greet, then the mobile rings, so I pick that.

I know there are so many like me who end up doing this on a daily basis. And there will be so many who asks, why not? I am not trying to say which way is better, that is handling one task a time or handling many at a time. What I intend to convey here, is the fact of being “productive” while all are being done, the “one” task or the “multiple” tasks, what should be thought through is how productive are we? It is very important to understand this as the time taken to do many things at one though might be very less, what gets neglected is the fact of how well are we doing these multiple things, are we just blindly performing it or are we actually applying some thoughts to it.

The answer is definitely a No, our brain is actually loaded with multiple instructions all going on in parallel. Yes, multitasking cannot be totally avoided in today’s fast and advanced technology life. While the benefits are manifold that we get access to information or people faster, no denial there but the truth is productivity gets lost. Instead of always being in a hurry, if we can spend sometime and not load our brains to achieve all at once to actually achieve perfection might fetch bountiful results, as you are more focused and more present than being lost in multiple things. We can try and see how much difference this brings and also see for a fact, how productive we are and how much more confident we are as we are right here doing only that. We need to also give our brains some rest for some sharp and focused thinking. Even while attending meetings, I think it is essential to pay more attention to the discussions and not miss out on anything important, especially avoid the tendency to check our phones or being busy making the meeting notes while missing the essence of the talking points. Thinking and doing is better than just to keep doing.  So let me ask you, which is better, Focus Vs Multitasking and what will you be your choice?