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procrastination

That nagging task you’ve been putting off? Do it today.

By Sarah Leave a Comment

I put off making the call for months. This is entirely too common a habit of mine, particularly when it comes to phone calls. Can you relate? 

A year and a half ago, my dental insurance changed and my current dentist was out of network.

I cancelled my appointment on the theory that I could find an in-network dentist and save money.

That’s logical, right?

I was quickly overwhelmed by the options, and didn’t take action.

Eventually, I was embarrassed that I had waited so long, so continued to avoid the issue.

I had endless internal, mental excuses.

And dread over how bad it was going to be.

And knowing that once I made the call, it would be a long wait to get in. I love my dentist, and apparently so do a LOT of other people.

I spent months with this weighing over my head. Endless questions, fears, doubts and thoughts looped through my head: Which dentist should I go to? How do I even pick a dentist? I can’t possibly go back to mine. I’m so embarrassed that it’s been so long. My teeth are so horrible. When am I going to find time to make the call?Don't procrastinate. | strategysarah.com #31timesavers

Don't procrastinate. | strategysarah.com #31timesaversOne random September day, my boss was talking loudly in our open office area about needing to go to the dentist. She had also put it off, though not nearly as long as I did. I casually mentioned I hadn’t been in forever either.

I made a snap decision to just do it now. After all, if the boss is going to the dentist, that’s an easy way to say I need to take a longer lunch, or come in a bit late for the same thing.

I dialed the number so quickly that I didn’t have time for my typical phone call fear to set it.

Amazingly, there was an appointment available the next day. What?! Yes, I’ll take it.

The fact that the appointment was less than 24 hours later meant that I didn’t have time to build up (too much) dread about the appointment.

To my shock, it was a pleasant experience. Nobody said anything about how long it had been since I’d been in, or referenced how horrible my teeth were. It was just like any other dentist appointment. Perfectly neutral once I got up the courage to go.

As I was signing out and chatting with the receptionist about health insurance and how I almost didn’t come back because of it, she commented, “Nobody leaves Dr. Bletscher.”

She’s right. Why was I going to leave the one dentist I’ve ever semi-enjoyed when just the decision-making process for finding a new one meant that I would never actually get around to doing it. Besides, what’s more expensive – spending more on a cleaning, or major mouth issues because I didn’t go to any dentist for years?

My phone calls and the dentist are two areas I am prone to procrastination. What about you?

Today’s task:

Identify an area that you procrastinate in. Pick one nagging, lingering to-do. Go do it today! Then let me know how it went.


This post is part of 31 Timesaving Tools, Tips & Templates, read the rest of the series here.  

How to increase productivity by procrastinating

By Sarah Leave a Comment

Am I the only one that engages in productive procrastination?

Productive procrastination: Those times you have a priority and important task or project to work on, but you’re not feeling it, so you pick another task from your list and work on something else.

This flies in the face of a rather large percentage of productivity wisdom that advises to:

  • “Eat that frog”
  • “Do the most challenging thing first”
  • “Make a list, and complete items in order.”

How to increase productivity through procrastination | strategysarah.com

I don’t care.

My big rebellion in life these days is to finish a report when I should be finishing the dishes. Or working on one project when another has an earlier deadline. (Or maybe eat a whole big bowlful of ice cream after the kids are in bed.)

Confession: I’m engaging in productive procrastination right now.

I had another big project slated for this time slot. I’ve tried working on it, and it’s just not flowing. So I switched gears to write just a wee, quick little blog post on productive procrastination.

How does productive procrastination increase productivity?

By using the procrastination time to focus on another item already on the to-do list, rather than on mindless activities that won’t matter.

Writing a blog post instead of working on my big project is far more productive than trolling Facebook yet again, playing iPhone games, or watching mindless TV.

The biggest risk in productive procrastination is not ever getting to that big project. My thoughts on that: If something is that big of a mental hurdle, is it something that I really should be working on?

Sometimes, yes, there are things that aren’t so fun that just have to be done. Other times, it’s a sign that it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate if a task or a project is truly necessary, or if it should be delegated, delayed or dropped.

In the meantime, work on another productive task, give yourself some mental space, and come back to that difficult task or project a little bit later.

When it comes to small business and entrepreneurship, there are very few things that you truly have to do. If it’s not working, change it.

My conclusion: Productive procrastination is still productive. Make the most of it. 

And now back to the project…

What’s your experience? Does productive procrastination help or hurt? 

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Welcome!

Sarah ParsonsHi, I'm Sarah and thanks for joining me! I believe that as working moms, we don't have to be exhausted trying to have it all. Sure, we juggle a lot. That just makes us expert project managers, problem solvers and simplifiers. And if you feel like you're not an expert at any of that, well, you're in the right place. It is possible to manage our time well and thrive - at work, home and play. Let's do this!

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The views expressed on this site are those of Sarah Parsons only, and do not represent those of any employer or client past or present with whom I have worked.

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