I had a hectic week this week, and I was looking forward to a Saturday off where I could catch up on my housework, paperwork, and rest. I created this long list of housekeeping chores, reading, and writing that I wanted to do and started in on it after my morning coffee. As I cleaned up the basement storage area, only the second task on my list, I ran across some leftover paint that I saved from a previous project. I was getting ready to get rid of the paint when I had a thought that I could use the paint to update the blinds in my kitchen. They had been neglected since I changed the color of the walls some months ago. I took down one pane of the blinds to see how the color would work in the room, and as it dried, I had the thought that I could just paint them all and have it done in a couple hours. Eight hours later, I finished the can of paint on the last pane. My Saturday to-do list was totally blown out of the water. Now, I had a kitchen full of wet window blinds and another big mess to clean up tomorrow.
Why does this happen? So often, I start with one project in mind and get totally swept away by another. In my case, it is partially personality-driven — I love variety and the challenge of every new shiny project — and partially procrastination. The new project is much more appealing than the uncomfortable feelings that mundane tasks present. Procrastination is not laziness; it is just a way to avoid pain. Ironically, once we avoid the painful task, then we feel annoyance at ourselves for avoiding the task. Somewhere in my mind, painting blinds sounded less painful than cleaning the basement, writing, or recording a podcast. It is irrational, but this is how our human brain works. (Avoid pain, seek pleasure)
When we feel any negative emotion i.e., boredom, insecurity, frustration, or anxiety, we commonly will find a way to avoid those feelings by doing something else. We eat a snack, drink something, watch movies, or even do other work in an effort to avoid those feelings. Procrastination is not a time management problem; it is a “thinking” problem. Suppose we have low opinions of ourselves or thoughts about an unpleasant task. In that case, we will often find something else to do that we think will feel better. The problem with letting this become habitual is that the avoidance of the important yet negative task reinforces negative emotion about ourselves and our lack of self discipline. The procrastination that we practice inadvertently creates more procrastination and negative feelings.
How can we do better? Working to understand the root of procrastination will help us start to solve for it. Practicing forgiveness when we do avoid a certain task and allowing ourselves grace is another way to escape the procrastination loop. Finding small rewards within the scheduled task may help us stop avoiding it. I find that I avoid housework less if I play music while cleaning. The music adds something pleasant to the unpleasant cleaning tasks. Simultaneously removing the temptation of your preferred distraction (hide the snacks) will help you avoid it in the future.
Just being aware that procrastination is a normal part of our brain’s function will help you see through yourself when it happens. Forgive yourself and try again to complete the task that you have so cleverly avoided. In my case, that would be finishing my basement cleaning before I take on another project. If I know myself, there will be at least one basement discovery that leads to another long distraction. Wish me luck tomorrow!
Dr. Julie Cappel
“In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing to do, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt
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