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Mindset Monday: The Pros and Cons of Procrastination

By
Real Estate Agent with New England Realty Group

 This is an updated re-tooled article from a while back that the message still rings true. Most of us tend to procrastinate now and then. When it adversely affects your life, business and productivity that's when most people hit the roadblock. Here are a few helpful strategies to help recognize and eliminate harmful procrastination and regain control over your productivity and get the most important things done.

 

 

Mindset Monday

Procrastination Pros and Cons: A Guide To Controlling This Habit

pro·cras·ti·nate (according to Merriam Webster)

verb \prə-ˈkras-tə-ˌnāt, prō-\

: to be slow or late about doing something that should be done : to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy, etc.

Procrastination Pros and ConsThe common theme I often hear when researching procrastination revolves around laziness, shame, bad habits, fear and unwillingness to work. Why there may be some truth to these analysis, I believe we must delve deeper into the topic which seems universal. I believe many people struggle with procrastination. Is there a purpose for procrastination and why humans have evolved such a keen sense for it, if not a disdain for those who procrastinate. Some Psychologists even think we developed procrastination as a way to avoid making hasty or bad decisions by giving us more time to think or ruminate over a project or undertaking. They actually feel that constructive procrastination, like putting off a project until your fresh or have all the tools necessary may be a constructive use. However, they warn that if you constantly procrastinate the important or unpleasant tasks for simpler or  more pleasureable jobs, then procrastination may be an issue hindering your ultimate success or productivity Management seems to be the best tool for controlling this habit and making it work for you. Understanding when and why you procrastinate, will help you find a solution that works best for you. The Cold Turkey method tends to be less effective as these bad habits are rooted and connected to deep seated "rewards" your are getting fromm your current actions.

 Are You a Procrastinator?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, My name is George...and I am a procrastinator. Short of a Procrastinators 12 procrastinatestep Program (..and how do you get them to show up for meetings?) There are a few key indicators which might help you identify if Procrastination is a problem for you.

 

1. Filling your day with low priority tasks from your To Do List.

2. Reading e-mails several times without starting work on them or deciding what you’re going to do with them.

3. Sitting down to start a high-priority task, and almost immediately going off to make a cup of coffee. Leaving an item on your To Do list for a long time, even though you know it's important.

 4. Regularly saying "Yes" to unimportant tasks that others ask you to do, and filling your time with these instead of getting on with the important tasks already on your list.

5. Waiting for the “right mood” or the “right time” to tackle the important task at hand.

 

Don't lose heart. If you are a procrastinator, there are many helpful suggestions to help you curb and transform you habits to be effective at getting thyose important tasks done, without the guilt and stress normally associated with putting off our obligations. Check out these resources: Don't put it off!

 

 


Check out More Info on Procrastination

Huffington Post on Procrastination

Contact Us

Ted Talk on Procrastination

 

 

 

Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

George, great post and gives us all something to think about.  I do set aside some duties that I don't enjoy.

Nov 28, 2017 06:09 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

taxes are the only thing I procrastinate.  Hate them, they make me ill and I put it off until I can't anymore. Every. Single. Time.

Nov 28, 2017 10:52 PM
George Kando, New England Realty Group

Ugh! Taxes... who doesnt! Thanks for reading!


 

Nov 29, 2017 02:31 AM