The Procrastination Vortex

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What happened to the last three hours? I had intended to write this blog post that you’re reading much earlier in the day.

Where did the precious time go? Let’s see… I unsubscribed from several email lists, went out for a latte to fuel my writing, responded to non-urgent emails, played a couple of rounds of Words With Friends, updated my iPhone’s operating system, and took some side trips on the time sucks called Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. That, my friends, is what happened. I entered the procrastination vortex, a place that robs you of time chock full of rabbit holes of your own choosing.

Obviously, none of these ventures moved me closer to my goal. Instead, I was left with a procrastination hangover. The antidote is clear: Do It Now. The irony is that I feel more at peace and connected to myself as I write this than I did during the previous hours of procrastinating. Perhaps you’ve had that experience?

I’m being open about my own procrastination to let you know that I’m familiar with this frustrating yet fertile terrain. By being in the muck of my own procrastination, it helps me discern what I don’t want—and it compels me to find alternatives that will benefit both my clients and myself.

Here’s a strategy I’ve learned to defeat procrastination: Partner with a friend who could benefit from shared accountability. Try bookending—that’s where you buddy up to get stuff done. Set a timeframe (i.e., 90 minutes) and decide how often you’ll talk briefly by phone (say, at 30 minute intervals) to check on one another’s progress. It’s remarkable how much you can accomplish in a short period of time when you establish that level of support. There’s no valor in going it alone.

In my upcoming workshop “Get a Handle on Your Procrastination—Now!” I’ll share additional tips on how to sidestep that procrastination vortex, address what matters, and be more productive and satisfied with yourself and your life. I’m holding this two-hour, experiential workshop twice: Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 15, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in North Berkeley.

Sign up now and get started on your path of productivity and increased passion.