The plant was rotting right through the pot and stuff was starting to ooze out
through the copper seams. Thinking I would get around to replanting it, I moved it from
the family room to the kitchen sink where it sat for a week while I cooked, cleaned and
washed dishes around it.
Finally, I got so sick of it
being in my way, I pulled it out of the sink and put it in a new plastic bucket. What took
me so long? I am a recovering procrastinator. And I am trying to stop, really I am.
Procrastinating is not only
fun but if I push deadlines back to the very last; I mean absolutely last minute, then
Wazzam! I can catch the adrenaline wave that builds with the mounting pressure and ride it
like a surfer to the completion of the project. Silent pride builds in me and secretly I
feel like a hero for accomplishing so much in such a short amount of time. And I’m
always on time, not a minute early, but always on time.
The reason I am trying to
stop is that the time I am saving by shoving stuff to the back burner is taking years off
my life in stress. It is true, I was brushing my teeth the other day and behold there was
my Mother looking back at me, mouth wide open and everything. It jolted me to my senses.
If you are a procrastinator
like me here are a few tips to regain your youth and put an end to unnecessary stress.
Keep all your to-do’s on a master list. Add to the list as you
think up new things to do or are given new assignments. This way you will never forget
what you are supposed to be doing.
Realize that you cannot in a million years do all the stuff on your to-do list. Be okay
with doing 80% to 90% of it.
Pick the things that are absolute necessities and put a star by
them.
Group like activities together and label them by days of the week,
such as filling up the car on Tuesday, sending Thank You cards to customers and prospects
on Wednesday, wash clothes and pick up dry cleaning on Thursday and turn all reports in to
the big boss on Friday.
Stick to your routine. Week after week you will find it is easy to
complete tasks on time and you will save yourself a good deal of wonder and stress.
You will also become known as one who can be counted on under all
circumstances.
Never commit to activities that have nothing to do with you. My Mom did this all the time when we were growing up;
she volunteered to bake a cake for some church function instead of playing with us kids at
the park. She missed chunks of our youth for cakes people don’t even remember.
If you get overwhelmed on a project that will take forever to
complete, STOP. Get up, and go outside and walk or run as fast as you can. Once you get
the blood charging through your veins you’ll feel like you can take on the world,
that is when you need to come back and dive head first into your project.
If you must procrastinate, think of your project as a big puzzle.
Add pieces in free minutes as you go and save the last piece for the grand finale.
Streamline your energies throughout your days and weeks rather than piddling your life
away waiting for stress disguised as a wave of adrenaline.
Angela Oberer © 2008, Oberer is the author of the "Be Well Series". You can send your questions and
comments to her at:
Angela@WordsofWellness.com
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because when you're well...everyone wins!