Debra Kasowski

Does Procrastination Really Have a Purpose?

by Leave a Comment

I know many of us have procrastinated at one time or another in order to avoid rejection, failure, or working on something that really doesn’t interest us. I catch my kids holding up the homework train with text messaging or television – wondering when is this homework going to get done? I guess there are days I can even admit I ask the same thing about housework, laundry, and the odd business process. The other day my daughter came home from school and started explaining to me that she was at study skills session and the teacher said procrastination is not necessarily a bad thing. I thought, “Oh no – Here it comes!” My dear daughter said, “See Mom, not all procrastination is bad.” Her learning and declaration really got me thinking – maybe procrastination does have a purpose after all.Woman with chalk globe and jet world travel

PROCRASTINATION STIMULATES CREATIVE THINKING

When you are crunched for time to get things done, you need to be creative and innovative with how you use your time. You might start with jotting down notes of all the pros and cons of a project, mind-mapping ideas, or drawing pictures of what needs to get done. Out of the box ideas may come from time constraints.

PROCRASTINATION LEADS TO HIGH PERFORMANCE/HIGH QUALITY

If you are one of those people who waits until the last minute to execute and achieves high results, you are amazing! I bet if you planned everything out you would probably not get the same results as you do when you are under pressure. Some individuals say they actually do not do as well by planning to the last detail. You have learned to use your procrastination to your advantage.

PROCRASTINATION LEADS TO CLARITY AND GOOD DECISION MAKING

By holding off on making a decision until you weigh out all the facts and information, you can reach clarity and make a decision you feel satisfied with. You gain better insight by reflecting on your next steps of action.

PROCRASTINATION MAY LEAD TO QUALITY “ME” TIME

Chances are you are a high achiever but high achievers still need to take a break to regroup and re-energize. Hopefully, in the process, you decided to play the piano, cook a gourmet meal, take pictures, or play a board game with your child. Whatever, you did instead, must have been more fulfilling at the time. Procrastination may be the “pause” in life you need.

PROCRASTINATION LEADS TO GREATER FOCUS AND GETTING MORE DONE IN A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME

You can hear the clock just ticking – you only have 20 minutes to get things done. Does your panic button alarm go off? When you have a shorter amount of time, you have to really work with purpose and take decisive action. You learn to get laser-focused and prioritize very quickly. I encourage you to set a timer and see how much you can get done in just 20 minutes. You will be amazed. Think of how fast you tidy up when someone says they are coming over to your house in 20 minutes.

Procrastination may have a purpose after all but it is not healthy if it cause guilt, perfectionism, or hinders action based on fears and self-doubt. I enjoyed reflecting and thinking about how there can be purposeful procrastination. The next time my daughter starts on her assignment at 10 p.m. maybe she needs to set herself a deadline and I need to be an observer of a procrastinator in action getting the results she wants. Thankfully – what we procrastinate about is a matter of choice. For the most part, procrastination is not a permanent way of being but a tool for high performance.

How has procrastination served you? Please share this article with the procrastinators in your life and comment below.

 

How Do You Start Living With Intention – By Getting F.R.E.S.H.

by 2 Comments

Do you know anyone who prepares and plans for the next day? Do you know anyone who reflects on their day and journals points of gratitude? Do you know anyone who wishes that they could stretch their day into the 25th hour? Is that someone you?

Intention living is all about planning and tracking events. Planning means preparing all the pieces you need for smooth execution of a project or task. This can be as simple as having your lunch ready in the fridge or an outfit laid out on the bed. You are ready to take on the day. Tracking is not for the purposes of comparison but to evaluate where time, money, or resources are lost. If you want something to grow you need to measure it to see if you in fact have achieved it.

Five things you can start doing today to start living with intention:

  1. Frame Your Mindset – Start right when you get out of bed. You determine what you what type of day you will have. What are the first things you say to yourself as you look in the mirror when you brush you teeth? Your words and thoughts are very powerful and can frame your mindset for your day. A self fulfilling prophecy.
  2. Record your action set steps for the day. Write down 5 action steps you would like to get done by the end of the day. They are not a “have to” but a want to and get to”. You have the choice to create the results you want with intention.
  3. Exercise your mind and body. Get physically active for 30-60 minutes a day. Increase the blood flow throughout your body and feel energizes. Some of my greatest ideas surfaced when joggin on the track at the gym. Take time to sit in silence and pray or meditate to clear your mind.
  4.  Start being proactive. You do not have to wait for the ship to come in – go out to it! Prepare your meals in advance. Plan your calendar 1-3 months in advance. Pay your bills early.
  5. Have a plan. People who have a plan of action are already half way there. Those who being their day without a plan waste much time getting out of bed and getting into action. I have some of those days too. The days I do plan in advance – WOW! it has been like a firecracker has gone off. I get so much done because I intentionally plan my day and create lists and mindmaps to keep me focused on getting to my end goal. On the days that you plan, how much do you get done?

 

BONUS “H”Hug more. Researchers have said that hugs can increase immunity, reduce blood pressure, and increase our survival rate. Hugs the people you love for the health of it!

Be flexible in your plans as life does throw challenges along the way. I love how Joel Osteen frames them, “Setbacks are setups for great comebacks.”

You are here to do great things so why not plan your seeds of growth intentionally – you have the choice to choose greatness!