DEBORAH CROMBIE: First, I saw an article in the Washington Post on the neurological basis of procrastination, and then I saw that January is National Get Organized Month. Eeek! Why did I suddenly get the feeling the universe was giving me a big fat nudge? Not that it would be the first time, mind you.
Some people, apparently, are more prone to procrastination than others. Is this innate neurological wiring? There may be something to this. I swear I had trouble turning in homework on time as far back as elementary school. By middle school and high school this tendency had translated to more than a few failing grades.
According to the cognitive neuroscientists, people who procrastinate are more likely to perceive tasks in the future as easier. Of course, rationally we know that's not true. Those high school papers did not get any easier to write the night before they were due. A novel doesn't get any easier to write if you put off starting it until next week. (Or next month...) Also, people have a tendency to prioritize smaller immediate rewards over larger rewards in the future. Obviously, this does not bode well for big, long term projects if you are already tipping the procrastination scale.
So what to do? Does being more organized actually help correct procrastination? The scientists suggest that you set reminders, because procrastination is not a one-time decision but usually a series of smaller ones. They also suggest something called episodic future thinking--you imagine the horrific consequences of not doing that task you keep putting off, although I'm not sure this wouldn't lead to more head-in-the-sand counter-productive behavior...
A couple of things do help me. The first is LISTS, or a plan of some kind that puts things into a sequence. (Otherwise called project management!) This is one of the reasons I prefer plotting to pantsing--unless plotting is just another form of procrastination?
The second is breaking things down into really small increments. In writing you really cannot beat the old a-page-a-day adage. 250 words is a much more concrete and managable goal than 100,000 words.
We have non-procrastinators among us, and we have some professional organizers, too. What suggestions do you have for those of us who struggle with procrastination?
Although I never have much trouble completing those got-to-be-done important things in a timely manner, I am extremely good at procrastinating when it comes to the stuff that’s not quite so important. It doesn’t particularly bother me, so I hadn’t given it much thought; the idea of procrastination having a neurological basis is quite intriguing . . . .
ReplyDeleteI thought so, too, Joan. Our brains are so complicated and we know so little about how they actually work. My daughter has been incredibly organized since she was a toddler. She played "office." Really!! Where does that come from??
DeleteFrom Celia: that’s fascinating Debs, about your daughter. How was her bedroom kept?
DeleteOh, lists and timers are the only way I can succeed! I have extensive lists, and I always have them with me. With deadlines and priorities clearly marked. I’d rather understand and fulfill my responsibilities. No one can do their best with free-floating anxiety about having “too much to do.” One planned step at a time. (I may be a pantser in writing, but the rest of my professional life is completely organized.)
ReplyDeleteAs for writing, I set the timer for 34 minutes. And promise myself I will do nothing else but write for those 34 minutes. And then another 34 minutes. It works, what can I say. It’s a focus, and an achievable goal. My thought about this is: by setting an achievable goaI, I allow myself to succeed, instead of setting myself up to fail. And we all know that success begets more success.
I love hearing about everybody’s special tricks and success stories!
I've heard you talk about the 34-minute sprints, Hank. I'm glad it works for you, but how in the world did you come up with that number?
DeleteYour method has a name, Hank: "the Pomodoro technique". It works for me, too, but I usually set the timer for 20 or 45 minutes. I'm with Edith: How did you come up with 34?
DeleteHank you are such an inspiration to all of us. And I do find that setting a time and doing writing sprints works for me--if I will actually sit down and do it!
DeleteI usually force my self to sit there until I'm absolutely positively certain I've drained the well. But I'm intrigued by your 34-minute method, Hank. I may try it and see where it leads.
DeleteOh, so funny! Well, when I had the idea, I thought...30 minutes is not long enough. But 45 is too long, I might not do that. SO 34 seemed doable. ANd that's the way it is....
DeleteI'll get around to commenting on this post tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI was seriously tempted to just leave that as my comment, but I will say a little more. The thing about thinking something will be easier later is so me. As is the immediate reward vs. the long term reward. It's why I realized I wouldn't be good at writing a book. After about an hour, I'm ready to be done and ready for someone to see what I've written and praise it. I don't want to spend the time to write a book. Then edit it. Then wait for it to actually be published.
There is also my indecisiveness. Often, when I have several things I want to do that are mutually exclusive, I can't decide which one to start on first, so I wind up doing something else instead and not all of them get done.
And now, I am going to stop procrastinating going to bed. Good night.
Mark, you are funny!
DeleteToo funny, Mark!
DeleteAs a person with several hard deadlines a year, I can't procrastinate on work. I've long said that panic is a great motivator. If I don't work hard on a book nearly every single day (I often take Sundays off, not always), I won't get it written, revised, and polished on time. And I refuse to miss a deadline.
ReplyDeleteI definitely make lots of lists. The daily list. the long-term tasks on my whiteboard. And I sync my paper calendar with my Google calendar. I also have the three-year handmade calendar on the wall - all is has is due dates and release dates, so I can check visually where I am.
What I procrastinate on is tidying and organizing, and on publicity. I have a release in a week and a half and have almost no guest blog posts arranged (except here, thank you, Jenn!) and no virtual events. It's way too late now. The fall just got away from me, or maybe I avoided setting them up in a timely fashion because it's kind of a PITA. Luckily it's a book in my most popular series. I think the word is already out.
Edith, I'm finding organizing the publicity really difficult and that's just for ONE book!
DeleteI like your three-year whiteboard idea.
DeleteI use the calendar in Asana to create my to-lists. As soon as I get a due date for a project, I put it on the calendar and then work backward, scheduling time to work on each. Sometimes, I see I have too many items on a particular day, so I move tasks around. There's nothing that will discourage me than knowing I've set myself up for failure by having too much on my plate. And there's nothing that makes me feel better than being able to check off every item I needed to do that day. By the way, it's app.asana.com and I use the free version.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Annette! Is it similar to Terry's Day One?
DeleteI don't have lists, but rather tasks with due dates on them. That's how I can keep up to date on my blog responsibilities. I know when to send out invites, reminders and schedules. Excel is my friend.
ReplyDeleteHa. I also love Excel. I've used it in the past to plan investment strategies and still use it to plan my extensive seed starting schedule of annuals and vegetables -- coming up in a couple of months
DeleteI've never really learned to use Excel. Never had a job that required it. It might be helpful but I don't think I'll add another item to my "must learn" list.
DeleteWhen I was working at Environment Canada as a climate change researcher, I had 8-12 projects with multiple deadlines each year, I made plenty of lists, calendar reminders to keep me on track. When I switched jobs in Ottawa to work as a strategic planner for a directorate of 800 staff who worked on 24/7 weather/water supply issues, project management was the key. Same system but amped up.
ReplyDeleteI'm much more relaxed as a retiree. For reading/reviewing ARCs, I have a long list of books (for the next 4-6 months) with publishing dates to help keep me on track.
Grace, I am in awe of the work you did and the organization it took. Your reviewing schedule is pretty awesome, too.
DeleteI am most successful if I actually look at my list, calendar, post its...you get the idea.
ReplyDeleteWriters, Reds and contributors alike, you all impress me so much. You get ideas, you sit down, you create stories. You have methods for staying on task and getting things done. Just wow. I must say something here about Hank whom I see doing 100 things and writing books. If anyone deserves a time-turner, it's you. Again, WOW.
Hank is our goddess, Judy!
DeleteI have long suspected that a team of Hank's from multiple universes are involved.
DeleteJudy, totally! I just wish she'd share them with the rest of us!
DeleteThe longer I put something off, the easier it becomes when I actually do it. The winter months are my most productive, so I'm in a good place, at least until I have to find all the tax documents.
ReplyDeleteLists! I love making them and I really love checking off the items as I complete them. Just call me a list nerd ;)
ReplyDeleteOh. me too. My daughter once gave me a small notepad with a cover that said 'I Love Lists.' Long gone and replaced by so many other little notepads.
DeleteNow *that's* a notebook to covet, JC Hull!
DeleteI'm not much of a list maker, although interestingly enough, my twin sister famously wrote 'make Friday's list' on her ever-evolving list. I also procrastinate terribly and carry guilt from things I never finished, so I was very interested in reading the article about the neurological basis for procrastination. For me, once I start a task it becomes easier. I WILL write up the minutes from Thursday's meeting this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing, isn't it! Once a task is actually started, it's easier! Once I actually sit down and start writing, for instance, it's fun. Or at least most of the time!
DeleteFrom Celia: Procrastination and guilt go hand in hand was my experience when working with disorganized folk. I tried to develop methods directed to the specific client and I would say, “When is good enough?” Meaning one doesn’t have to be perfect in everything. Trying to be perfect is a no win. So try for good enough. One example of ‘perfect.’, that I’ve identified is the need to have a perfect wedding! What does that mean? Perfect has become an overused word. Try good enough.
DeleteI really hate the stress of waiting until it's almost too late. Hate it! So that motivates me to get going on projects. I often don't feel comfortable unless I'm way ahead of the game. Taxes finished Feb. 12th. You Betcha!
ReplyDeleteI have heard that giving yourself small rewards for each small thing you accomplish is a good motivator. Remind yourself that you deserve it. I think many of us get a shot of dopamine anyway when we know we have hit our goal for the hour/day or can cross something off a list.
Also, from what you've posted here over the years, it seems you, and all the Reds, have very rich lives. (I'm not talking money). Family, Friends, hobbies, interests, travel, wisdom... In short -- Success! Clearly you are getting a lot done though it may not always feel that way.
Yes, thank you, JC, I think that's true. But it's those full lives that contribute to the "too many things to do in a day" issue...
DeleteWhy February 12? Are you in Canada?
DeleteIn the U.S. I just like to get taxes out of the way. Feb 12th is arbitrary example.
DeleteI hate the stress of being late too! I did some last minute papers in college--awful! And, worse yet, I was the treasurer of my class in high school. I never entered a single figure in the book. Panic at the end of the year, shame and panic! I don't like those feelings, so try to plan ahead so it doesn't happen. Totally agree, small rewards after reaching small goals is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteLucy, when I was in the 6th grade, our teacher was very strict. We had to do our homework every night. When we arrived in the class, we had to turn in the homework. If someone did not do their homework, they had to stay in class after school and finish the homework. I was a day student so I was able to do my homework. Unfortunately, most of the students were living at the school. Yes, it was a boarding school. And the other unfortunate thing was that the house parents DID NOT CARE for education. They were always having back to back activities after school including meetings. The poor students never had a chance to do their homework!
DeleteDiana
Happy birthday, Roberta!
DeleteI started my working life in accounting/credit -- it was always month end, quarter end, year end...those dates were fixed, no procrastinating or you'd be out of a job. I ran marathons for years -- if you didn't plan the mileage for the week, you'd never get the long Sunday run in without injury and you certainly wouldn't finish 26.2 miles. I treat writing the same way. I work on my project every day with a specific goal in mind. That goal changes by the day because some days are busier with appts or (golf!). And as of Jan. 14th I have all my tax records in order :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, Judy! I salute you!
DeleteDeborah, this post resonated with me because I have struggled with organization. TIP: When you move, NEVER EVER put your extra stuff in a storage facility. When I moved, I had to get rid of many books. I donated them all to the new library in town. The new place where I moved to was wonderful. Very minimal. I could find everything. Everything was organized. I was able to sit on the sofa. I could have a Christmas tree. And instead of buying books, we would borrow books from the library.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we put a lot of things in a storage facility and several incidents prompted us to clear out the storage. And I brought home half of the things from the storage. Now my place is so disorganized that I cannot think clearly.
And I revered back to buying books again! Really no room in the small condo for more books! One of the things that I am trying to do this month is to collect all of the books that I finished reading and donate them to the Free Little Libraries.
Good News: I made small progress. I was able to clear out an area so I can write these Christmas cards this week. And I am throwing away a lot of junk mail and expired mail (reply by this date).
No idea what I can do in the way of giving advice. I am just sharing what I am doing. And I get frustrated when I go shopping and the stores no longer sell the things that I like. I have been bringing in my clothes for repairs instead of buying new clothes.
My grandmother was very strict about organizing. She threw away EVERYTHING! My Mom said that the morning's newspapers would be gone by dinner time. She kept a few things like news clippings of my grandfather's work (he was an attorney) and letters from family.
Thinking about taking a page from my grandmother. Will I regret throwing away something?
Regarding clothes that are beyond repair, I just learned about this company that recycles clothes - FOR DAYS ?
January is a good month to get organized. Maybe I will be able to have space for a Christmas tree.
Happy Friday,
Diana
I echo what you say about storage facilities for 'not vital' items during a move. I left a stack of boxes in my parents' garage when I moved across the country. I never needed anything I had packed into those boxes and, truthfully, cannot remember what I did with them. I truly hope I tossed them without looking inside. Could I have so wise?
DeleteThat's the way to do it, Amanda!
DeleteI'm actually very systematic about bills and daily mail, newspapers, etc. Rick leaves opened--or unopened--mail on the kitchen island which drives me crazy! Things go either in the trash, the recycling, or on my desk to be dealt with!
DeleteFrom Celia: Diana, I do feel for you. Would you be ok getting some professional organizing help? Yes, I agree, a storage unit is a sink hole. Amanda, When my mum died I left a couple of boxes in England with my bro. I returned to them about 10 years later and and threw the lot out, even my mums wedding dress which was in ribbons by then. One of the joys of a smart phone is a letting go photo, recorded and passed on. I feel happy.
DeleteBreaking things down to smaller increments helps me tremendously. It's one reason why I like plotting. But in my personal life, I often find my day's plan thrown off by one of life's little emergencies. I recently decided to try using a Day One journal as a way to define my three most important tasks for the day. There are a couple of standing tasks, i.e., some writing time and some yoga time, but each morning I write down the three tasks that are both important and critical. By keeping my eye on those priorities for the day, I find my time management shifts slightly to accommodate them.
ReplyDeleteI just looked at the Day One app, Terry. I try to do pretty much the same thing daily in my paper planner, but some days just get away from me. And as Gigi says so succinctly below, I always overestimate the number of things I can do in a day, and the time that they take!
Delete#1 for me is keeping a paper calendar and writing down things that have deadlines... listing them BEFORE their deadline so I have enough time left to do it. Then I can forget about it until it absolutely needs to be done. And I'm a list maker, too. And of course my favorite thing: checking things off.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if staying on top of one's to-dos is correlated with being on time for appointments dates events?
I love checking things off, too, Hallie. And I don't have trouble keeping up with daily tasks, being on time for appointments, etc. It's the long term stuff that gets me.
DeleteSometimes I write things down that I have already done so I can check them off.
DeleteI totally do that, too, Hank. If it took me more than 15 minutes to finish, it goes on the list so I can mark it off.
DeleteI saw that article in The Washington Post, and thought, "Wow! That looks interesting. I'll read that later . . . "
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to tell you about procrastination, except the only way to get stuff done is to do it. That takes a good grasp of time management. My problem has always been that I think I can do stuff in less time than it will actually take to get the stuff done. My "I can pound that out tomorrow" philosophy never takes into consideration the weird things that pop up and need to be done in addition to the basic task at hand. Fortunately for me, my job is organized around hard deadlines. The concert will happen on Thursday, whether I'm ready or not. So maybe setting hard deadlines, in addition to making those to-do lists (which I live by) could help with jobs that don't have natural deadlines? Deadlines that are too far away are no help at all to the professional procrastinator. Perhaps monthly or even weekly deadlines would keep the ball rolling on a long-term task.
But don't ask me. I'll be busy hunting down that Washington Post article I meant to read two weeks ago.
LOL, Gigi. thanks for the chuckle!
DeleteHa ha, Gigi!
DeleteI think I am related to Scarlet O'Hara from Gone With the Wind when it comes to putting things off. "I'll think about it tomorrow."
ReplyDeleteWe will award you a certified procrastinator's badge!
DeleteMorning, everyone! I had absolutely no trouble getting out to the bakery this morning early enough not to miss the baguettes. That's a hard deadline, lol.
ReplyDeleteI’m a terrible procrastinator, and I’ve been told that this often comes along with being a perfectionist. I believe that. I don’t get around to doing some things because I worry about doing them “exactly right.”’ For many, many months I’ve been putting off desperately-needed decluttering and reorganizing at home. I frequently feel like “I can start on that tomorrow. I can do a better job then. ” When I was working, I was very well organized at work and always met deadlines. I always joked that I didn’t have any mental energy left over for home.
ReplyDeleteToday’s blog post makes me feel like maybe I can accomplish something today.
DebRo
DebRo, I think there is definitely an element of perfectionism involved. And "fear of failure," at least for me. The problem I find with those big decluttering/household organization tasks is that they are cascading. You must clean out this before you can clean out that, etc., etc., so it's very easy to put off doing anything at all.
DeleteI know I'm procrastinator, in fact I practicing the process right now. I need to iron church linens, which is extremely mind numbing while satisfying. Iron a few, sit and read the comments, iron some more. Okay, break number two is over back to the hot iron and cold, damp linens. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the perfect task for an audio book, Deana!
DeleteProcrastination = anxiety = more procrastination. What a lousy way for me to live. Finally after many years (procrastination) I decided to set my deadline for 3 to 4 days before the actual due date. Then if the roof did fall in I could still cope. And this way I did finally graduate from University. (twice).
ReplyDeleteHooray for you, Coralee! That's a good strategy!
DeleteWhen I worked I made lists. Had to for all the due dates of different filings. Nowadays I keep a paper calendar to write appointments on, birthdays, etc. Remember that old Orson Welles commercial: I will drink no wine before its time? I've adapted that to I will do no chore before its time. My procrastination mantra.
ReplyDeleteWalking down memory lane: Peck & Peck, a women’s fashion store in NYC, ran ads in the New Yorker during the 1960s featuring beautifully tailored business suits and the line “There’s a certain kind of a woman who is a very efficient procrastinator.” That woman (in my opinion) was and is me. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI am the queen of procrastination and it continues to be something I struggle with. I have come to recognize along with being very distractible, I will get anxious about what needs to be done and what hasn't been done, and, unfortunately, deal with that anxiety by bearing myself in some trivial activity that is completely unrelated to whatever project is looming!
ReplyDeleteLike other people have mentioned, I have found making lists very important. It gets all of the things to do out of my head and on the paper, which definitely reduces my anxiety. Also, I've found doing sprints incredibly useful. I do perform when I have an immediate deadline - probably something I learned in my long scholastic career. So when I was trying to restart writing, I would set an alarm for 90 minutes. Even if it was painful and the words were terrible, I can do something for 90 minutes, right? And of course, almost every time, I continue on past the 90 minute mark, because by then I am in the groove.
But I have to say, I still struggle with procrastination, and I fear this is something that is going to be with me for the rest of my life. It's certainly been with me for my life up to this point!
I'm easily distracted, too, Julia. We are sister magpies...
DeleteCan I get back to you on that? ;)
ReplyDeleteI have a split personality where procrastination is involved. In school, I always had assignments in on time or early, and I had my work well-organized. While earning my Masters degree, which was all online, I was usually the first to comment in discussions, and I always sent my assignments and projects in early. Now, come look at my house and see procrastination in full force. The books I intend to organize, the dust I intend to rid my furniture of. Where is that destination that is paved with good intentions? Yesterday, I sorted out mail and catalogues that need filing or throwing away, which is really a satisfying task. But, why do I let it build up? Why do I put off doing it until my cup/desk runneth over? I think that I would just rather be on the computer commenting on things (like my dear Jungle Reds) or reading or making lists. I love lists, and they do serve me well with my reading and reviewing. Maybe I can only be timely for things that interest me. Housework does not interest me.
ReplyDeleteKathy, we'd much rather you read books and wrote reviews than cleaned house:-)
DeleteI do think, too, that planning WHEN to worry about something is useful. If I have a deadline in a certain abo=mount of time, and it's not the NEXT thing, I pick a day to start worrying. So for instance, instead of worrying for three whole weeks, I give myself a week to worry. And if I start worrying before that, I say:--nope, nope, you already dealt with this, you can't worry until Tuesday. (or whenever. ) and then it's fine. That's not procrastination, that's prioritization, and it's really useful!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Hank, that's a great technique.
DeleteYes to list making, like most of us (long-term list on a large piece of paper, short-term list on a post-it stuck on the large piece of paper. Ai-yai-yai!). Yes to setting timers to motivate myself. Yes to letting all kinds of papers (but not bills!) pile up. Yes to Gillian's comment that once you start something, you can usually face it and keep it going--it's the starting that's hard. I find that I tend not to procrastinate when it comes to writing (my "job"): I just put off all the other stuff that needs to be done, from answering emails to housekeeping to (above all) performing promotion-related tasks. Yuch, I hate those.
ReplyDeleteThe promotion is hard, Kim! It makes me feel like my brain is going to explode. I'm much rather be writing than trying to figure out all the things I should be doing to promote my book!
DeleteI needed this post, Debs! I am suffering severe procrastination and breaking it into smaller bits - definitely helpful!
ReplyDeleteOften when I have something I must do like do taxes, etc- I I suddenly feel he urgent need to do laundry, or wash dishes, or clean the bathroom!
ReplyDeleteFrom Celia: I think you all know that I am a retired PO, who suffers from procrastination but is doing better. I put in a few comments and this is very late as we were out today which meant that my comments weren’t the top priority, sorry JRW’s. I am a list make but in small bites, so a weekly list with deadlines if appropriate. I also keep project lists for the house. But I choose to work by Priority first. This has become important as my husbands health mandates that he is first with whatever his needs are. This is not as dire as it sounds but I do get interruptions and I accept that these are part of my life. Monthly items - pay credit cards - for example are on my calendar which is my phone for all. I use Notes on my phone for quick info that I may need at the Dr. for example. I have gone to putting as much of our ‘business’ needs on line like bank and bills. Some of this was driven by recent circumstances but my point is don’t get bogged down in a system. Take what you need to help you get where you want to be from whichever systems, books etc work for you. You could always email me too. I would reply and love to chat with our community.
ReplyDeleteDeb here. Celia, thanks so much for your suggestions and for offering ro help. We may seriously take you up on that.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, you can't ORGANIZE your way to be MOTIVATED. Organization tools (like lists and timers and the Pomodoro Technique, mentioned above) are great ways to get a handle on your tasks and help you prioritize what needs your attention. Motivation can come from different places -- external and internal -- and the most productive people are probably those who can marry their motivation with their prioritized tasks and execute.
ReplyDeleteOne tip is to understand YOUR unique energy flow and how to align it with your (organized) tasks. If you've got great focus and can sit for a longer period of time and go deep and create, use *that* time for the tasks on your list that need flow and creativity and uninterrupted thought. If you have low energy/can't focus deeply energy for other parts of the day, align your low-energy tasks to that -- folding laundry is a great example of low-energy/low-focus work. Matching your energy to the task is similar to that age old great advice: Never go food shopping when you're hungry; you know you're in for failure!
Finally, figure out if you're intrinsically motivated (it has to come from within) or extrinsically motivated (forces outside me -- like letting other people down or missing out on a reward). While you're not likely to change your wiring, you can put systems in place to help you exploit the best environment to get you going and staying on course!
Also, understand your environment and what helps you or hinders you.
One of my favorite "environmental" tips: If you come home from somewhere and know you have things to do, DON'T TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES. (Even if it means switching to "indoor" shoes, and I don't mean slippers.) Taking your shoes off tells your brain "we're in relaxation mode". This is similar to taking a shower and getting dressed "for work" even if you're working from home. Adding environmental cues that help support your work, or eliminating the ones that are detractors, can go a long way.
Good luck! Happy to consult with anyone looking to understand more about their own style!
Nan McCann: I’m a dedicated list maker, journal writer, and timer user! Like Hank, if I have any hope of getting tasks completed on time, I MUST have a list and a schedule. And I DO get my items completed!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I’m not a draconian 7-day schedule-maker with no time for fun reading, for doing silly, happy fun things and being outdoor celebrating being with friends and family.