We’ve all heard about the value of planning as a daily habit and mindfulness practice. But what are some more specific reasons we might want to invest our time in every day?
Should we stop thinking so much about productivity and start thinking more about focus?
Here are some of the ways I've benefited tremendously from overcoming procrastination, starting to plan regularly in my planner. So let's go - no more postponing goals and commitments.
F as Focus?
How did this happen? What went wrong? Why did you lose your focus? Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone! Focus isn’t a given, it takes time and practice. Taming our concentration in an environment full of distractions is a demanding task.
Every time we want to be productive working on a certain task, we need to say “no” to all the attention-grabbers, and “yes” to the meaningful tasks ahead of us.
Stepping out from the comfort zone and focusing on focus is how you actually begin to achieve more.
"Once you stop obsessing over the end result and start enjoying the process, everything will fall into place."
Productivity?
When we’re focused, we’re usually productive, and, in order to be productive, we need to be focused – it’s simple as that.
“You can’t have one without the other.”
Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra
Setting yourself specific deadlines to complete tasks will keep you on track to achieve your goals, and will mean that you have no time for procrastination
WHY You're Procrastinating?
You need to understand the reasons WHY? you are procrastinating before you can begin to tackle it.
Procrastination is a habit – a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior.
Surprisingly, perfectionists are often procrastinators. Often, they'd rather avoid doing a task that they don't feel they have the skills to do, than do it imperfectly. Another major cause of procrastination is poor decision-making. If you can't decide what to do, you'll likely put off taking action in case you do the wrong thing.
Poor organization can lead to procrastination. Organized people successfully overcome it because they use prioritized To-Do Lists and Productivity planner. These tools help you to organize your tasks by priority and deadline. Commit to the task.
Focus on doing, not avoiding.
Write down the tasks that you need to complete, and specify a time for doing them. This will help you to proactively tackle your work.
Turn off your email and social media, and avoid sitting anywhere near a television while you work!
Tackle tasks as soon as they arise, rather than letting them build up over another. If you complete a difficult task on time, reward yourself with a treat, such as a slice of cake or a coffee from your favorite coffee shop. And make sure you notice how good it feels to finish things!
Make Smart Investments
Instead of searching for instant solutions for the focus problem, do your research and make smart investments.
- Start using work-management platforms that help you maintain your focus instead of distracting you.
- Improve your confidence and self-esteem by shifting your mindset to a state of greater positivity: start filling out PMS planner and replace "Need to" thoughts with "I choose to" thoughts.
- Start planning your days and weeks with The P Planner. Plan ahead, prioritize your tasks, rely on the Focus Time Technique, and reflect on your experience.
- Make technology work for you, and not vice versa: install website blockers, use cloud office, limiti social apps, adapt your screen color to please the eye, and so on.
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE A CHOICE
At every moment you have the power to control your own life. No outside force decides what job you will do, where you will live or how you will behave.
It’s time to change your perspective.
Everything lies in your hands, so instead of fearing that responsibility or denying it, embrace it. Remember: when you feel broken, it means you need to make better decisions for yourself, so give yourself a chance to be that way. You deserve to be happy, but sometimes it just takes time to find that happiness.