The Metrics of Procrastination-A Personal Account

We are better at procrastination than we would like, and it’s not productive. Recently I must have stepped over my snowboard boots at least two dozen times in the hallway over the last two weeks before finally tucking them away in the attic.

What pain had I convinced myself that would bring? 45 seconds of work? Regret of not being constantly reminded of the one time we got out snowboarding this season?

It’s like this for projects big and small in my life, and I want it to stop.

It’s really inefficient, because I’m sure every time I’ve stepped over those boots in the hallway it forced me to:

1) Take evasive action to avoid boots. Almost

2) Convince myself that I was too busy at that moment to put boots away.

3) Either a)realize #2 was a lie or b)enter mild state of overwhelm

4) Think, “I should really pick those up”

5) Self-judge, “I really need to be less of a procrastinator”

6) Cue almost imperceptible feeling of shame.

7) Quickly shuffle this feeling to the side. Proceed with day.

I easily pass those boots in the hallway six times per day. Over the course of 14 days, some quick math gives us:

(series of 7 thoughts) x (6 times per day) x (14 days) = 588 thoughts I have had over the last two weeks about these boots.

Contrast that with noticing the problem (one thought) and taking immediate action.

It’s over 500 times less efficient to be a procrastinator!

It clutters mental real estate and provides absolutely nothing long-term. Because I ended up eventually picking up the boots anyway.

Procrastination must be broken.

Here’s my plan:

1. Identify the initial pattern “I should pick those up. But…”
2. Ask: What would it cost me (time and effort wise) if I did this right now?
3. If time permits, complete the task immediately.
4. If time does not permit, ask, “When will I do this task?”
5. Set reminder on phone immediately to do task, or work on task if it’s a big’n.
6. Reward myself (little tokens and five seconds of lavish praise)
7. Record this instance of winning over my resistance (I’ve been using Google Drive along with Camscanner for an easy way to keep track of just about everything. Paper sucks (at least for me).

Being mindful of procrastination, taking action to create pattern interrupt, and rewarding yourself with recognition (and maybe a cookie or a sticker chart) is the key. Think positive reinforcement, and have compassion for yourself!

It takes big effort to make big changes (at first), but there is nothing more rewarding or worthwhile.