Procrastination is not a flaw!

I've always been the opposite of a procrastinator. I always preferred to tackle the least pleasant task first and work on the most exciting last. Like eating the least favorite food on my plate first and leaving the tastiest part to last - even though this doesn't have anything to do with the concept of procrastinating. Though you get the picture. It's about getting the stuff I don't enjoy much over with so that I can savor the things I prefer spending time on.

As I see so many procrastinators in my world, I wanted to explore this subject in detail and make it the topic of my newsletter article this time.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, the verb to procrastinate means; to keep delaying something that you must do, often because it is unpleasant or boring.

So, you need to work on something sooner or later, most probably, with a deadline. But you don’t want to do it because it's hard, or it requires you to go out of your way to accomplish it, or it's simply too boring. Maybe you need to ask for someone’s help to complete the job, or it's the first time you are dealing with the subject, and not sure how to do it. These are situations that move one out of their comfort zone with a deep feeling of uncertainty.

Distractions galore

With the help of convenient distractions - like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, you name it - it's pretty easy to push out not only the unwanted tasks but all tasks that require your attention. Though if you can be honest and admit that you are a procrastinator, then be proactive, and deal with it properly, the habit of procrastinating might get easier to handle.

Don’t beat yourself up!

If you're mad at yourself because you're a procrastinator,  Dominic (Nic) Voge , Senior Associate Director of Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning in New Jersey, has good news for you. 

He says, “Procrastination isn’t shameful. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s not a flaw. It’s actually pretty predictable; it’s something we can really expect if we understand the dynamics of motivation.” Therefore, finding a way to motivate ourselves is the key to reaching the finish line within the time frame we have been given.

And, you guessed right, I have a few tips on how to do that.

• Motivate yourself by finding personal benefit, enjoyment, or significance in the task or activity you suppose to work on. 
• Divide big tasks into smaller, attainable steps, and set more achievable and realistic goals. That would help you see the whole task as a set of stairs you can climb one step at a time.
• Minimize distractions by removing your smartphone from your environment or taking a break from checking your email while working on the task.
• Attach an incentive component to your goal. Reward yourself for a timely accomplishment. Maybe boosting your motivation could be easier than you think with a little gift to yourself.

You can do it

Seeing procrastination as a self-imposed condition is vital to change this bad habit into a formula for success. 

Make your plan, follow it meticulously, and forgive yourself for hiccups. You will soon see your transformation and witness yourself shifting from being a procrastinator into a motivated and disciplined person.

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Before You Go ↘️↘️↘️

TEDx Video of the Week: Procrastination by Evan Moulton

PS: After enjoying this short video, please make sure you scroll all the way down so that you don't miss the What Am I Up To These Days section of this newsletter.

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What Am I Up To These Days? ↘️↘️↘️

• Check out our E2M Relationship Fitness Program, built on Positive Intelligence - the evidence-based coaching supported by research in Neuroscience, Performance Science, Cognitive Behaviour Science, and Positive Psychology - that my partner Anne Lewis and I offer to couples engaged to marry, newly married, and in a committed relationship with no plans to marry. It is a revolutionary proactive approach to creating a future-proof relationship right from the start.
• The Mission Hope: Thriving Through Seasons of the Soul anthology created by the amazing Char (Charlotte) Murphy, Esq. and published by Dominick Domasky, that I had the pleasure of co-authoring together with Babien Avila, Maria Lehtman, ✨Susan LePlae Miller, Matthew Dickson, Dr. Jo Anne White, Brad Burchnell, CQM OE, Todd George-Stone, Karen Ortega, Destiny Bogan, ML Sutton, Jean L. Serio CEIC, CPC, CeMA, CSEOP, Curtis Gregor, Johanna Baker🌼, Kathleen Dutton, Tracey S. Yang, and Minnku Buttar is now available on Amazon.
• Also, please ask me about the Be You More Coaching Framework - that we developed at ShiftUp - Strategic Change Agency - built on core values for individuals, teams, and coaches. - Better yet, come to our monthly Grow Your Gifts Lunch and Learns where you could experience a taste of our unique Be You More Coaching Framework. The next one is on Friday, April 21st at 3:00 PM EST.