WAHMs tips: How to stop procrastinating!
How do you prevent procrastination? How DO you stop procrastinating?
Procrastination is one of the biggest barriers to getting things done for WAHMs (Work At Home Mums) - and Dads. No amount of Time Management techniques will work unless you tackle the bad habits caused by Procrastination.
Admit it! How many times do you put off some of your most important tasks until later. . . . and later and later? Yet, you always seem so busy.
Did you put off that task because you were in a bad mood and you told yourself that you will do it later when "I am in a better mood, so I will do it properly"? Do you always feel an approaching deadline is like a looming crisis? Do you keep hesitating and changing your mind when you need to make a decision?
Do you feel as though you never get anything done and yet you don't know where the day has gone?
Welcome to the Procrastination Club!
Lens pic: What are you waiting for?
by Lope de Vega
Buy magnet at AllPosters.com
What is procrastination?
To put off doing things
Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday
Napoleon Hill
(American Author)
OK, so you are a fully paid-up member of the Procrastination Club. But take heart. You landed on this page. You already know you have a problem. That's the first important step to solving it. This will make a big difference to your chances as to whether you can succeed in breaking your procrastination habits or not.
Take a look at the causes of procrastination, what it does and the various types.
Causes of procrastination
Do any of these apply to you?
Underestimating the difficulty of the tasks - those tasks that you start and then you wish you had not. Perhaps you don't have the right tools or you need help, when you thought you could do it on your own.
Underestimating the time required to complete the tasks - how many times do you start a job, thinking it will take 20 minutes and you are still struggling with it an hour later?
"They always take longer than you think", said Rabbit. "How long do you think they'll take" asked Roo.
Winnie-the-Pooh's Little Book of Wisdom
A A Milne & E H Shepard
Unclear standards for what you are trying to achieve - you know the PC is running slow. But do you know exactly what to do to speed it up?
Feeling resentful about tasks you should not have to do - clearing up after the family is the one that comes to mind here!
Tasks that are too ambiguous - you have promised to do something for someone but you are not clear on what you need to do and you are not sure what their expectations are.
Effects of procrastination
Do you recognise these feelings?
Delay
Low achievement and low self esteem
Stress, stress and more stress!
Feeling guilty that you are not getting anything done
Problems meeting deadlines
Ineffective personal organisation
Unproductive planning
Thoughts on procrastination
RocketMom Twins Mama
I moan and complain that I have too much to do, but if I actually sat down and did it instead of complaining about it, it doesn't take nearly as long as I think it is going to (unless I have bad computer karma and then it will take 4 times as long).
So, even if it's something I'm not looking forward to doing, I just remind myself that it won't take as long as I think it is going to take (most of the time).
Lensmaster TwinsMama
Types of procrastination
Do you recognise any of these distractions?
Fear of failure
Are we going to be as successful as we want to be? Self doubt makes us put off tasks and then we achieve nothing.
Socialising
Unnecessary chatting to friends, neighbours, even customers is a waste of time. There are times when it is necessary and even beneficial, but you need self-discipline to keep to the point.
The Top Ten Reasons I Procrastinate
T-Shirt
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Choosing the wrong priorities
We set ourselves minor tasks or the things that are easiest to do. Things we can be successful at doing but that means that the major priorities are neglected or avoided.
Daydreaming
Day dreaming? La-di-da-di-dah! Oh, just look at that red kite flying over the house. Oops, now where was I?
Dream
by Westmoreland
Buy at AllPosters.com
Planning
Often planning can take the place of doing the actual task. Constantly writing and re-writing lists of things to do or spending hours tidying the desk or the office, which means we are not getting on with the work.
Do you procrastinate?
What's your excuse?
Do you procrastinate? Do your friends? What's the best excuse for not getting something done?
I say...
What others are saying...
Top excuses for Procrastinating
What's your excuse?
What excuses do you give for procrastinating? Finish the phrase "I can't do it now because...."
If your phrase is already here then give it a vote.
1
Tiredness
3 points
2
Perfectionism
3 points
3
I'd better just check my e-mails
2 points
4
Laziness
2 points
5
Too cloudy, can't see the dust, so there is no point in dusting
2 points
6
Lack of confidence
1 point
7
Plain old lazy
1 point
8
Later. I have to Squidoo!
1 point
9
I have a group of jesters dancing about me
1 point
10
I simply don't like to do it!
0 points
Procrastination is the thief of time.
Edward Young
(English literary Critic, Poet and Dramatist, 1683-1765)
Tips to break procrastination habits
Try these to help you stop procrastinating
Develop a DO IT NOW attitude - this may help you avoid putting projects on the back burner.
Create a To Do list - have start-by dates as well as do by dates. Tadalist.com is a website where you can create your own To Do lists that you can also share with others.
To Do lists
RocketMom Tip 1 from Joan4
I have settled down with a good list of to-dos this morning and trying to do by priority and in 10 minute segments, ie it was time for the dogs' monthly meds, and then hubby wanted cheese toast mid-morning, etc.
All the normal little things that are required in a household - so I have managed to get my Rocket Moms badge on my profile - and those are soooooooo cute!!! And I have visited about 20-30 lenses looking for lenses to bless. So that counts!
Lensmaster Joan4
More tips on how to stop procrastinating
Breaking procrastination habits
If you don't absolutely need to do the task, don't put it on your To-Do list - adding tasks that you don't have to do only makes the list longer and you will feel demoralised and overwhelmed. Then you will start the procrastination cycle all over again.
Decide how well a task needs to be done and accept the need for compromise - sometimes a job needs just to be done well rather than perfectly. So what if hubby did not clean every nook and cranny on the stairs, like you would do. At least he got the Dyson out and hoovered.
Substitute a less over-whelming task for the one you are thinking of putting off but make sure the outcome will be the same - instead of writing a letter, can you send a postcard or even make a phone call?
Short Cuts for writing letters to school
RocketMom Tip 2 from AJ
I have stopped typing up short notes to my girls' schools. Invariably I remember that they need a note at 8am, when the computer is not on and it takes what seems an eternity to fire up.
So I hand write them and just photocopy them if I need a record.
Lensmaster AJ2008
Even more stop procrastinating tips
Try these tips on how stop procrastinating
I had a client once who was always (and I do not exaggerate) late for meetings. The reason? He could not leave the office without "just checking my e-mails". He was a pain in the butt!
Answer the telephone only when you have time to talk - let it go to the answering machine. You will still be able to hear or check if it is an emergency.
If you hate doing a task, ask yourself if you are the one who really needs to do it - maybe someone else in the family could do it? Or you could even trade jobs with another mom/mum.
Just start it! The most difficult part of many tasks is getting started. Once you begin, the task is often easier than you expected and it is not as bad as you imagined it. And, just think when you have finished, how great you will feel.
Help to stop you procrastinating
Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now
Amazon Price: $11.48 (as of 12/20/2009) 
The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play
Amazon Price: $9.72 (as of 12/20/2009)
The Procrastination Workbook: Your Personalized Program for Breaking Free from the Patterns That Hold You Back
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/20/2009)
It's About Time!: The Six Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them
Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 12/20/2009)
Do you wanna be a writer?
Stop procrastinating - this book will help you get started
This best selling book is probably one of the best I have read on how to write and get published. It is also hilarious.-
wannabe a writer?
-
wannabe a writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones is one of the best books anyone has ever given me. So, whether you are a WAHM (Work at Home Mum) or Dad, part or full time writer, if you want to learn about writing and getting published AND laugh at the same t...
Getting the job done
RocketMom Tip 3 from Bonnie
I am big on getting the job done. For instance it's 9:46pm (as I write this) and I'd really like to get in bed and watch a movie but I know that if I do I'll just fall asleep!
So I tend to push myself in the evening (when it's quiet) to finish up e-mails, lenses and blog posts. Then I really sleep well because I get the satisfaction of knowing that I got everything done.
Trust me, that is a great feeling!
Lensmaster BDKZ
Now you know how to break your Procrastination habits
Time to sort out your Time Management!
Procrastination is one of the biggest barriers to successful Time Management. This lens is your next step to organising your life and reducing your stress!-
WAHM Time Management Tips
-
If you are a Work at Home Mom (WAHM) or Dad, the first thing to remember about Time Management is to understand and accept that there is no magic "one size fits all" solution. Everyone is an individual and every family is unique. Different...
Zen Habits
Simple Productivity by Leo Babauta
This Blog Post by Leo Babauta is a great read and has some great tips for "getting started" on something.Babauta says:
Too often we get stuck in inaction - the quagmire of doubt and perfectionism and distractions and planning that stops us from moving forward.
And while I'm no proponent of a whirling buzz of activity, I also believe people get lost in the distractions of the world and lose sight of what's important, and how to actually accomplish their Something Amazing.
And so today I'd like to humbly present a few little rules of action - just some small reminders, things I've found useful but by no means invented, common-sense stuff that is often not common enough.
1. Don't overthink. Too much thinking often results in getting stuck, in going in circles. Some thinking is good - it's good to have a clear picture of where you're going or why you're doing this - but don't get stuck thinking. Just do.
Read the rest of The Little Rules of Action
Then subscribe to the Blog and add Power of Less, The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life
to your Wishlist! Heather Bestel - More Me Time!
A personal recommendation
FREE download:
More Me Time by Heather Bestel
Heather Bestel is someone who I came across when I was the Editor of Imperfectly Natural.com. Heather says about the book:
"It's full of great advice, tips and strategies for making time for yourself in the busyness of your day. It supports you in giving yourself permission to give yourself more time, especially when you're really rushed off your feet."
It does exactly what Heather says and more. So treat yourself to an interesting and helpful read.
More Me Time
Stop procrastinating with these FREE downloads
Sources for more help on procrastination
- WAHM-IT! The Masters Course
- FREE download - you don't even have to register! Tips for setting up as a WAHM.
- To-Do Lists from Mind Tools
- FREE download - Learn how to plan your time intelligently. FREE template!
- WAHM Forum
- Forum for WAHMs
- Flylady
- Lots of hints and tips about how to manage your time and stop procrastinating. There's a Forum too.
- How to Stop Digital Fiddling and Start Writing
- Great tips!
- The Little Rules of Action
- Tips to help you get started!
- A Little Me Time by Heather Bestel
- FREE download - everyone needs "Me time"
RocketMoms on Squidoo?
Who are they?
According to their Ning homepage RocketMoms is a gathering of the smartest women on the web, working together to make Squidoo lenses (and a whole lot more).The group is specifically aimed at Mums publishing on Squidoo and the first cohort is working together for six weeks, starting on 20 April 2009.
In Week 1 our first task was to make an "About Me" lens, which is 10 things I want to do.
For Week 2, we had to make a niche lens, which is how this lens evolved. I had been planning a Time Management lens for ages - but I was procrastinating!
Then we got our task and I made a start. Then I realised that I had several modules on Procrastination and so made the decision to split the lens into two. I went off and did THIS lens before I finished the Time Management one.
Hmm........
Squidoo on Squidtop
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Do you procrastinate?
Has this lens helped you?
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Reply
- AndreaJJ AndreaJJ Nov 18, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
- Some great tips! 5 stars from me.
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Reply
- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Oct 22, 2009 @ 4:57 am
- I don't procrastinate-much.
Great advice.
Thanks for sharing.
5* and lensroll to Finding Time
Lizzy
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Reply
- pkmcr pkmcr Oct 20, 2009 @ 12:43 am
- I wasn't sure whether to leave a comment but having thought about it I decided I should :-) Great lens AJ packed with amazing tips!
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Reply
- CleanerLife CleanerLife Sep 23, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
- I know there's something I should say... I'll think about it, and come back later...
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Reply
- BevsPaper BevsPaper Sep 8, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
- Can't say that I procrastinate much. Occasionally but not very often. Great lens!
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Going Green Ideas
AJ's Green Blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAJ is Always Juggling
and she frequently drops the balls!
AJ is very proud and humble to be a Squidoo Angel
I am also very proud to have been awarded lens of the day for
Auditory Processing Disorder TWICE!
And then I got it for Twelve ways to have a green & ethical Christmas!
Lensmaster aj2008 has been a member since July 10 2008, has rated 3,312 lenses, favorited 815, and has created 70 lenses from scratch. AJ donates their royalties to Save the Children. This member's top-ranked page is "Bullying At Primary School". See all my lenses
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