Energize and Organize
  • Welcome
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Home Office Organization
    • Residential Organization >
      • Are You Chronically Disorganized? >
        • Common Characteristics of Chronically Disorganized Individuals
      • Are you Situationally Disorganized?
      • Organizing by Learning and Action Style Preferences
    • Senior Organization
    • Student Organization >
      • Executive Function
      • Improving Your Child's Organizing Skills
      • Organizing by Learning/Sensory Preferences and Action Style Preferences
      • Organization and Time Management Strategies for Kids with L.D.
      • Student Organizing Tips - Internet Resources
  • Gallery
  • FAQ
  • Resources
    • Charitable Donation Information
    • Decisions, Decisions, Decisions ... To Keep or Not to Keep?
    • Green Tips from NAPO-New England Professional Organizers
    • Insightful Education Websites for Children and Students with All Kinds of Abilities
    • Inspirational Organizing Quotes
    • Interesting Readings
    • Junk Mail and Telemarketing Phone Call Reduction Resources
    • Miscellaneous Organizational Tips
    • NAPO Code of Ethics
    • NAPO-NE Tips for Adopting Green Organizing and Celebrating Earth Day
    • NAPO-NE Tips for Practical Ways to Get Organized
    • Outstanding Professional Organizer Websites
    • Organizing Product Stores
    • Resale Information
  • Testimonials/In the News
    • Testimonials
    • In the News
  • Contact
  • Blog

Energize and Organize:  Conquering Procrastination

2/1/2016

 
Picture

January is at its end.  Tomorrow brings a new month, a new beginning. Take a look back at my first 31 Energize and Organize blog posts for 2016 and think about one or two organizational changes that you've made to create the life and surroundings you envision for yourself and your loved ones.  Well done!  Have you been unable to get started or have you been procrastinating?  Read on...
 

Picture
The word procrastinate comes from the Latin procrastinatus, which means, literally, “forward tomorrow.” If you’ve been putting off till tomorrow what you could — and should — do today, then recognize that procrastination is a habit that can be broken. But it won’t happen overnight. It takes 21 days to form a new habit. So set a date, (Mondays work well, because they feel like a fresh start) and track 21 days to stay the course.

To start, give yourself a reason to stop procrastinating. Maybe you’ll improve your financial situation because you’ll pay your bills on time. Or you’ll impress your family, friends, and coworkers because you’ll appear productive and efficient. Or you’ll be less stressed because you are on top of your to-do list and arrive on time. Whatever the goal, keep it in mind throughout the first 21 habit-forming days.

To get a handle on procrastination, start writing. Use a spiral notebook or planner to capture all your tasks. Do not use scraps of paper or sticky notes. You’ll want everything in one place. Keep a running master list of tasks that need to be done. (It might be really long.) But then, each evening, make a smaller “to do today” list for the upcoming day, either on a separate page in your notebook, or on the next day’s planner page. List only the most important things you need to accomplish that day, and keep the number of tasks realistic and attainable. (About five things usually works well.) The next morning, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done, and you can concentrate on those above all else. That evening, evaluate your list. Anything not completed moves forward to the following day’s task list, and a few more items are added. And take a moment to permanently remove tasks from your list that no longer contribute to your goals or happiness.

As you’re writing your to-do list, make sure to break tasks down into realistic-sized chunks. If your goal is to organize your messy kitchen, the enormity of it will seem daunting. Instead, break it down into one-hour tasks: toss out all expired foods in pantry; clean out refrigerator; organize junk drawer; set up mini-filing system for kitchen. Completion dates are important, so assign specific tasks to specific days. You won’t organize a kitchen in a day, but over the course of a week, you can do it! And each day’s successes will give you the drive to keep going.

For truly unpleasant tasks, set a timer for 15 minutes, and just do it. Nearly anything is palatable for a quarter of an hour. It’s also helpful to see that most unpleasant things don’t take nearly as long as we think they will. You may hate going through your in-basket at work. But just 15 minutes each morning and evening is enough to review, sort, do the quickie tasks, and assign the longer ones to your planner. If you’re feeling sluggish, complete an easy job first, to get your momentum going. Also, do the toughest tasks when your body is most alert — some people function better first thing in the morning, while others perk up later in the day. 

Treat time like a precious gift. Are you a people-pleaser? If you’re truly behind in your own tasks, don’t add any more optional to-do items until you’re caught up. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to delegate. It’s okay to take some time for yourself. And stop saying, “If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all.” Limit choices, let good enough be okay, and move forward. Perfection is not realistic or required in life.

Reward yourself. After 21 days of “just do it” action, treat yourself to something nice... lunch with a friend, a luxurious nap or bubble bath, a hot-fudge sundae, a concert, or an afternoon with a favorite book or movie. You’ve earned it!
© 2016 Articles on Demand™

Energize and Organize is here to help you make significant improvements in your well-being and to create the life and surroundings you envision for yourself!  Please contact us when you are ready to work together to create harmony and balance for yourself and your loved ones.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts  Contact:  617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    February 2023
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Family Life
    Home
    Office

    RSS Feed

Welcome
About Us
Services
Gallery                                                         
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Testimonials
Contact 
Blog
Phone:  617.640.2366

Email:  
 donna@energizeandorganize.com


Organizing Barnstable, Bourne, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro and Yarmouth    © 2023

Photos used under Creative Commons from jimmcsweeney, walknboston, frankieleon, tdlucas5000, marneejill, Larry Lamsa, Rina Pitucci (Tilling 67), tdlucas5000, wizardofozgurl, Rennett Stowe, kimblomqvist, cote, Hugo-90, likeaduck, jasleen_kaur, wuestenigel, Clint Mason, ЕгорЖуравлёв, dalecruse, tdlucas5000, tdlucas5000, cafecredit, Montgomery County Planning Commission, hellotidy, jerryrauth, Jeffrey Camphens, Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos, Princess Ruto, Scioto Photos, AcrylicArtist, Bennilover, David Meurin, nahid-v, Eduardo Deboni, Swallowtail Garden Seeds, torbakhopper, avrene, roseannadana, quinn.anya, dalecruse, Bennilover, krossbow, (Imagine) 2.0, fontplaydotcom, Muffet, William_Doyle, tdlucas5000, LadyDragonflyCC - >;<, stockcatalog, David Paul Ohmer, SurFeRGiRL30, TurtleCreek-Branson, ThoroughlyReviewed, dullhunk, Michael Khor, susivinh, Kirt Edblom, anitakhart, zhaffsky, Giuseppe Milo (www.pixael.com), mnapoleon, wuestenigel, The Simpsons (Lee, Shirley, Luke and Rachel), homethods, vijay_chennupati, Gail Frederick, Kurt Stocker, Gail Frederick, (Imagine) 2.0, themostinept, Bennilover, cattan2011, cattan2011, frankieleon, FootMassagez, melissa richards photography, Kirt Edblom, Doolallyally, Topu Saha, Bennilover, tdlucas5000, cattan2011, Bobby McKay., amanessinger, blumenbiene, tnilsson.london, France1978, okchomeseller, ajay_suresh, njhomepictures, dee_dee_creamer, Bennilover, Ravi_Shah, macieklew, Jeffrey Camphens, Goedeker's, kennethkonica, cattan2011, e27182818284, vwcampin, dMaculate, Orchids love rainwater, PLeia2, David Paul Ohmer, ThoseGuys119, scootergenius02, judithjackson957, Scouse Smurf, Feathering the Nest, tdlucas5000, closet factory, cattan2011, Senior Guidance, kennethkonica, watts photos1, tdlucas5000, kennethkonica, Artur Malinowski, vwcampin, ЕгорЖуравлёв, Tobyotter, inbounduk, Diana Parkhouse, Paula R. Lively, tdlucas5000, France1978, Kirt Edblom, Gail Frederick, hellotidy, Digital Magic Photography, Infomastern, kennethkonica, Ani Carrington, spbda, Soupmeister, tdlucas5000, UnknownNet Photography, ancasta1901, wuestenigel, torbakhopper, tdlucas5000, State Farm, Bennilover, marneejill, tdlucas5000, Jeff Kubina, amslerPIX, joiseyshowaa, Angelbattle bros, r.nial.bradshaw, Goedeker's, Antrell Williams, majolie46, symphony of love, wuestenigel, theglobalpanorama, cattan2011, tdlucas5000, pureplanetrecycling, Ruth and Dave, wuestenigel, Rawpixel Ltd, Got Credit, romanboed, Kelly Hunter, kud4ipad, Ozzy Delaney, Doolallyally, MICOLO J Thanx 4, 2.4m views, P_Linehan, taymtaym, steve p2008, mariaronnaluna, Nic's events, DaveCowieMT, Jocelyn777 - Celebrating Europe, Anders Ruff Custom Designs, michaelmueller410, kennethkonica, scriptingnews, Pictures from GTB, CJS*64 "Man with a camera", romanboed, POP'S PIC'S, judy dean, garlandcannon, Harold Litwiler, Poppy, Goedeker's, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Luciano Belviso, theanthonyryan, r.nial.bradshaw, PickComfort, Robert.Pittman, Goedeker's
  • Welcome
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Home Office Organization
    • Residential Organization >
      • Are You Chronically Disorganized? >
        • Common Characteristics of Chronically Disorganized Individuals
      • Are you Situationally Disorganized?
      • Organizing by Learning and Action Style Preferences
    • Senior Organization
    • Student Organization >
      • Executive Function
      • Improving Your Child's Organizing Skills
      • Organizing by Learning/Sensory Preferences and Action Style Preferences
      • Organization and Time Management Strategies for Kids with L.D.
      • Student Organizing Tips - Internet Resources
  • Gallery
  • FAQ
  • Resources
    • Charitable Donation Information
    • Decisions, Decisions, Decisions ... To Keep or Not to Keep?
    • Green Tips from NAPO-New England Professional Organizers
    • Insightful Education Websites for Children and Students with All Kinds of Abilities
    • Inspirational Organizing Quotes
    • Interesting Readings
    • Junk Mail and Telemarketing Phone Call Reduction Resources
    • Miscellaneous Organizational Tips
    • NAPO Code of Ethics
    • NAPO-NE Tips for Adopting Green Organizing and Celebrating Earth Day
    • NAPO-NE Tips for Practical Ways to Get Organized
    • Outstanding Professional Organizer Websites
    • Organizing Product Stores
    • Resale Information
  • Testimonials/In the News
    • Testimonials
    • In the News
  • Contact
  • Blog