“Do not call procrastination laziness. Call it fear” - Julia Cameron

My mom always has a million things posted on the fridge – artwork, tourist shop magnets, grocery lists; and in the center is a 6-inch, red felt circle with 4 letters on it, T-U-I-T. The circle has a pocket in the front with a little piece of paper inside from my aunt who gave her the gift. The paper reads:  

“This is a ROUND TUIT. Guard it with your life as tuits are hard to come by, especially the round ones. Now that you have a ROUND TUIT of your very own, you can accomplish all those things that you have been putting aside until you get a round tuit."

This got me thinking about procrastination, it is a common issue that affects many of us, but why?

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks that need to be completed, often until the last possible moment. While procrastination may seem like a harmless or ‘normal’ behaviour, it can lead to stress, anxiety, and poor performance as tasks pile up and deadlines whoosh by.  

There are many reasons why we procrastinate, and you may be surprised to learn that laziness is not usually it! 😮

Let’s explore some common reasons for procrastination: 

1. Fear of failure: Many people put off tasks because they are afraid of failing or making mistakes. 

2. Lack of motivation: When people do not feel motivated or interested in a task, they may procrastinate instead of completing it. 

3. Overwhelm: When tasks feel too large or complex, people may procrastinate instead of starting them. 

4. Perfectionism: This is a fear of not meeting the high standards that people may place on themselves, keeping them worried that the work is never going to be ‘good enough’. 

5. Lack of structure: When there is no clear plan or timeline for completing a task, people may procrastinate instead of taking action. 

Overcoming procrastination requires effort and practice, but it is possible! 👊

Here are some tips to help get you started:  

1. Break tasks down into smaller steps: When tasks feel overwhelming, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This can help to make them feel more achievable and reduce the urge to procrastinate. Try breaking tasks down into steps that take 10 – 15 mins and use a timer to keep focused.  

2. Set realistic goals and deadlines: Setting realistic goals and deadlines can help to provide structure and motivation. Be sure to give yourself enough time to complete tasks without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Most people underestimate the amount of time that tasks will take! 

3. Prioritize tasks: Prioritizing tasks can help you to focus on the most important tasks first. This can help to reduce the feeling of overwhelm and increase motivation. 

4. Create a routine: Creating a routine can help to establish a sense of structure and reduce the urge to procrastinate. Try setting aside specific times each day for completing tasks.  

5. Identify and address the root cause: If you find that you are procrastinating frequently, take some time to reflect on why you don’t want to do a task and the emotions that come up for you when you think of it. Addressing the underlying issues can help to reduce the urge to procrastinate in the future. 

To sum it up, procrastination is a common problem that can have negative effects on our well-being and performance. By understanding the reasons why we procrastinate and implementing strategies to overcome it, we can improve our productivity, reduce stress, and achieve our goals more effectively.

Remember, overcoming procrastination is a process that requires patience and practice, but it is worth the effort in the long run. 🥰

Recently, a lovely friend told me that they enjoy reading my blogs. It meant so much to me to know that someone is actually reading work that I enjoy putting out into the world! ❤️

Personally, I often feel guilt around tasks that are for me, so I put them off. My friend's words felt like she gifted me ‘a round tuit’ and sparked that motivation I needed. And I'm so happy I did! Completing something that brings me joy and gives me that feeling of accomplishment has created momentum for me to keep it up (especially for tasks that I don't necessarily enjoy, but still need to get done).

🎁Please consider this post a gift from me to you! Screenshot or print out the ‘ROUND TUIT’, post it on your phone, mirror, or fridge and use it as a spark to feel good about taking that first little step towards getting things done!