Procrastination & 10 Minutes Tasks

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Most of the chores we don't want to do really don't take us all that long to do. So why do we put them off and procrastinate? People who procrastinate get caught up and trapped in a vortex of stress and anxiety. Most procrastinators define themselves as disorganized, lazy or without care about their to do list. The truth is, procrastinators are often smart, hardworking individuals. Pamela Wiegartz Ph.D. breaks it down for us, (I'm summarizing). First, some procrastinators have a fear of failure which gives them an anxiety. When a procrastinator doesn't rise to the challenge, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy which can reinforce the initial thought of failure. Second, some procrastinators have a fear of success. Perhaps, if you do a good job there will be higher expectations and responsibilities pressed upon you. Finally, some procrastinators are perfectionists. They will find themselves at a stand still and do not know where to begin. I can remember a time when I would procrastinate a chore and find another activity to engage in. But, all the while I'm doing something else I had a sense of guilt of not getting things done. Procrastination only delays anxiety, it does not erase it.

So let's get over this vicious cycle of negative thoughts. Every time you create a negative mental thought, immediately follow it up with something positive. Negative thought: "This will take too long" you can shift your thought to a positive thought: "I'll feel better if I do it now and get it off of my to do list. I'll feel free!"

Fight back with positive words/thoughts! You have more power over your thoughts than you give yourself credit for.

To get you motivated, here are several tasks that will take you less than 10 minutes:

• Make your bed

• Clear one horizontal surface

• Clean out your junk drawer

• Put in a load of laundry

• Unload the dishwasher

• Vacuum the main living area

• Organize school papers

• Write a 3 thank you notes

• Meal plan for 3 meals

• Make a shopping list

• Meditate

• Make a to do list

• Declutter your purse/briefcase

• Declutter your car

• Lay out your clothes for the next day

• Sort laundry

• Clean out your inbox or junk mail

• Write 5 things you are grateful for

• Clean two toilets

• Dust your bedroom

• Go through clothing and/or shoes, find 10 things to donate

• Read

• Shower and get dressed

• Email a long lost friend

• Put laundry away

• Call and make an appointment

• Sort through the mail

• Clear off your desk

I challenge you to set a timer for 10 minutes to see if your task really takes you as long as you thing it does. I'm hoping that once you see how quickly you can get a chore/task done, maybe it won't be so hard to tackle it the next time around.

Until next time...

Keep it Sweet and Neat,

Stephanie

Source: Psychology TodaySaveSaveSave

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