How To Tackle Procrastination

Career Kuel Category Expert: Gayle Petrillo

Are you working from home now or splitting time between home and office?

Many of us are juggling multiples of everything and trying to balance so much, and we look for ways to keep us focused on just one thing at a time. Last month I wrote about how music can help keep you productive. Earlier this summer as I browsed through my Women’s Health magazine, I came across an article entitled, “Meet your most effective self”.

“Procrastination may be how you handle huge tasks.”

The Pomodoro Method:

It introduced me to a new technique for conquering procrastination. It’s called the Pomodoro Method. I found it intriguing for a number of reasons as I began to research it. The Pomodoro method is, in terms of the basics, breaking down your tasks into 25 minutes of effort, followed by a 5 minute break. For longer tasks, break away for longer intervals. Procrastination may be how you handle huge tasks. You may return quick phone calls or write short email responses, postponing working on a budget or larger project. This can relate to personal procrastinating as well as in professional terms. How many times have you decided to clean out a closet or organize the kitchen drawers or garage? You start, only to get just so far and then get sidetracked. Why? It’s a huge project that seems overwhelming. So we stop mid-stream and procrastinate. We find distractions and ways to avoid what directly lies in front of us.

“Tackle an organizing project into 25 minutes segments taking a 5-minute break.”

Fighting Procrastination By Having A To-Do List:

I’m sure you’ve heard the question, “How do you eat an elephant?”. The answer you have also heard is, “one bite at a time.” Apply that philosophy to your larger tasks and I bet you find breaking large projects into smaller pieces will allow you to see the small accomplishments you make. For me this means ticking off items from my To-Do list, literally, giving me great satisfaction and the self-support I need to keep going. Perhaps instead of brain-dumping everything into one massive list, shift things into distinct categories and you will identify the progress you are making. Tackle an organizing project into 25 minutes segments taking a 5-minute break. Then move on to something altogether different or return to the task at hand. Start with one kitchen drawer or your revenue for last month as you prepare to close your books for August. I’m finding implementing these tips has helped me move forward with less stress on me, and those around me. Let me know what successes you have had.

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