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”.
