I will conquer my procrastination problem. You just wait!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 07:06AM
Top 10 reasons to procrastinate: 1.
I had to chuckle when I read about this new application in LifeHacker yesterday: LeechBlock, a Firefox add on, that makes up for a total lack of will power by allowing a user to self-block time sucking websites...
This set blocks five time-wasting sites between the hours of 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. on the weekdays.
I will freely admit that I am a procrastinator. If it weren't for externally imposed deadlines, I am sure my first kindergarten worksheet would still remain unfinished. And I suppose the first step to a cure is admitting one has the disease.
Stephen Covey's Time Management Matrix (from the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) would put the compulsive checking one's Facebook page, Twitter feed, e-mail, GoogleReader and blog writing right smack in Quadrant IV: Not Important, Not Urgent.
Covey reminds us that the only way to make long term change is by investing time in Quadrant II activities. And he suggests that the only way to increase time in Quadrant II is to steal it from the other Quadrants, especially III and IV.
Now that few of us can use that cigarette break as means of delaying getting on with a big job, the social web has stepped right up to the plate.
I have a long list of ways that you can keep from being a procrastinator and I'll add them to this post - just as soon as I respond to a couple of Tweets and Pokes...
Reader Comments (5)
This couldn't be more true for me, as well! I'm so bad about it that I even posted this link to Dave Walker's Weblogcartoons.com entry on my facebook account while procrastinating...
http://www.weblogcartoons.com/2007/01/17/procrastination/
Hmmm... maybe we could look for a support group, but I need to check my Reader first.
As a building principal i've found the constant interruptions to be a true nightmare. I've resorted to sneaking to a deserted back conference room with my laptop for two hours a day. I leave my office door open and light on and people just presume i must be at an important meeting. My secretary knows where I am and can find me in a true emergency but the couple hours of uninterrupted work time prove to be very productive.
Emails are my time sucker and procrastination tool. I too have found that I need deadlines and checks. What I do is tell another person that I am going to do something. That's usually enough to keep me accountable for the most part. Doesn't always work though. When I was completing my master's degree I couldn't seem to get to the thesis writing. I eventually had to take a month's leave of absence from teaching to write it- which really hit me in the pocketbook.
Procrastination is just a matter of rationalizing the stuff you're doing as valuable and the stuff you should be doing as less valuable.
For example, Twitter is connecting with and learning from the very smart people in my network while writing a report for the boss is just feeding her the same information she could easily find herself. See, it's easy. :-)
As to Covey's matrix, his placement of items is subjective. "Crisis", "pressing problems", and "deadlines" are often a matter of interpretation.
And I am writing to you instead of working now! Why do I think a procrastinator’s support group might have trouble generating much momentum?
All the best,
Doug
Hi Charlie,
I think that is called scheduling time for yourself and is highly recommended. Provided you don’t use the time to just update your Facebook page or Twiiter ;-)
But I wouldn’t tell.
Doug
Hi Sharon,
Yup, deadlines and statements to others (and contracts) all work for me. I am taking time off to write a book, but I only get a week!
Doug
Hi Tim,
Actually, I can’t even say that I go so far as rationalizing my actions that keep me from doing what will have long term impact. A lost cause.
And yes, crises are, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder.
Thanks for the comment,
Doug