Ever wonder why I talk about my own procrastination so much? I mean, if I’m the Someday Expert, shouldn’t I have cured myself completely of Someday Syndrome?
Yes and no. You see, there are two levels of Someday Syndrome. The first affects your whole life and blocks you from living the life of your dreams.
The second type hits at the detail level, blocking individual projects you’re working on as you move towards your big dream.
Two and a half years ago, I cured myself of the big kind, changing almost every part of my life to rid myself of a 25 year long Someday Syndrome affliction.
Unfortunately for me, the micro-version is next to impossible to get rid of. I’m a hard-wired putterer. I futz about and have a hard time committing to working at the detailed level. I can therefore only mitigate the symptoms of procrastination rather than eradicating it altogether.
Does that mean I didn’t get any fiction writing done this week? You betcha!
Do I feel guilty about it? Not really.
Because other than the lack of fiction writing I had a super-productive week:
And thanks to Karl Steib’s comment on Tuesday’s post, I’ve figured out what I need to do to get over this latest infection of Someday Syndrome.
How about you? What micro Someday Syndrome infections did you suffer from this week and what will you do to relieve the symptoms?
7 Responses to “On Being Productive Despite Procrastination”
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Alex,
Now it is my turn to stop in and say:
Congratulations for all the great stuff you accomplished this week! Be proud of what you did, you deserve a big round of applause, seriously.
The more I get to know you here, the more I think you and I have similarities in our personalities. I am by nature a tinkerer and a problem solver.
It takes a lot for me to stay focused on important things - it would be really easy for me to play around with some new computer program or whatever (which I suppose is one reason why I’m making a business out of it - might as well build on my strengths!)
Keep at it - we can both do it. We can *all* do it.
-Brett
Brett Legree´s last blog post..viking fridays - give and give again.
Actually, I spend 37.5 hours a week being constantly being beaten over the head with a clock.
Constantly being reminded about Deliverables, Deadlines, and Committments. Lectured on how we must stick to our schedule, this needs to be done ASAP, we can’t let the project slide, blah blah blah.
By the time 4:30 comes around, I’m sick about hearing about things I “gotta” do. I’m DONE for the day.
So when I get home, I cut myself some slack. I don’t have to do ANYTHING unless I want to…or if it really HAS to be done.
At least, I try to. But there’s always the ittle ‘Shoulda” voice in my head said I shoulda done this, or shouldan done that.
But it’s been a rough week, and I’ve been more tired than usual. I told that “shoulda voice” to shut up, and I allowed myself to slack off and just watch TV and fart around the computer.
Sometimes I find I gotta allow myself to do that.
3 things.
One little practice I found that works wonders is I just pick 3 outcomes for the day.
Why 3 outcomes? It’s simple enough to remember and powerful enough to get results.
At the start of the day, I pick 3 outcomes that would be great to accomplish. I get to pick from my portfolio of results - mind, body, career, emotions, financial, fun, relationships.
It works for my teams too. Sure everybody has laundry lists. But I still ask the question - what are 3 things for today? It gives people peace of mind and purpose. Their day feels meaningful and like they control it.
J.D. Meier - patterns and practices´s last blog post..My Favorite Personal Development Books
Alex,
You did a great job. That’s an awful lot accomplished this week.
The most important word in my vocabulary regarding productivity is ALLOW. As in, I give myself permission to ebb and flow. I don’t beat myself up. When I do, I rebel against me, and get less done than ever.
I make my plans, I follow them, but I allow for the possibility that it won’t go smoothly. Then it’s never, “here’s what I didn’t get done.” It’s “here’s what I did.”
And you did rock out that list of things to do. Way to go!
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post..5 Things My Kid’s Winter Concert Can Teach You About Customer Experience
Hi Alex, congratulations on the whole list of accomplishments! That’s a lot and you ought to be proud of yourself
For me, I finally went jogging yesterday after procrastinating for 2 days. It felt good, as it always does whenever I haul myself off to exercise! 
Celes | EmbraceLiving.Net´s last blog post..Two Important Things that Led to My Discovery of My Real Purpose
What a pleasant surprise to see that you enjoyed my last comment. Sometimes I wonder if the comment that I leave on other blogs will be really listened to by the author and his readers. It nice to see that you really cared.
My someday syndrome has been about finding a new job. I’ve been putting it off because I want my blog to be a huge success. My blog isn’t ready to launch my new career, so I have to earn money working for someone else. I want a new career to foster new learning and help me create a foundation of contacts for when I am ready to launch my business. It’s scary out there right now, but I just have to start making calls and sending out emails to make it happen.
Karl Staib - Work Happy Now´s last blog post..Day 18 of 30 – Bonus – No Complaining
@Brett
We all support each other with our goals - the success of one encourages others.
@Friar
Oh, yes, please do turn off! I also try to turn off at least on weekends, if not evenings too.
@JD
Three things? Only 3? You mean my daily to do list of 23 things is too much?
@Kelly
What’s with it between you and Karl? First on Tuesday he talks about flow, now you do. Are you trying to tell me something?
@Karl
Your comments here and on other blogs always help me with my own journey. Work Happy Now is especially important for self-employed people because if we’re not doing this to be happy, then why are we doing it?