Rewiring My Mind: Part Eight - Procrastination and Productivity

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Hello there Beauties! 

I am on a journey of rewriting my mind to change how I think. This also includes changing my mindset, habits, routines, and everything in between. This week, the focus is on procrastination and productivity. How do these two co-relate? Let's get into it. 
 

Have you ever wondered why you procrastinate? The ‘why’ can help you to curtail the result. I’ve never been a master procrastinator until I lost my will to do most things. For example, if had a project to do for a subject I really liked in school, I’d map out a plan to complete it right away. However, if it's something I'm not even remotely interested in, then I have no desire to do it. I've figured out that the background behind the tasks I have to complete almost always determines my drive to complete them. 


I think procrastination is a mindset and not a bad habit. The small tasks we put off each day either scare us, annoy us, or simply don’t matter too much to us. This does not apply to the tasks we put off because of mental illness. It’s just those habits that we tend to avoid until it’s completely unavoidable. 


Figuring out the why:

I only struggle with procrastination extensively in two seasons: 


1. My spiralling season: 

  • I have a lot going on, life is getting overwhelming, I’m getting sadder, and I’m either sleeping too much or not sleeping at all. During this time, I need motivation to do everything, and that, I don’t have. 
2. My “giving up” season: 
  • I’ve convinced myself that I can’t do it anymore, the future outcome is unknown and scary, and I feel like I can’t manage. 

Productivity - How do you measure productivity in your personal life? What are the signs/outcomes of a productive day? Personally, it's when I complete all the tasks on my daily to-do list, or when I've accomplished my daily goals. For example, if I only have two tasks on my to-do list, and I complete both at the end of the day, it's been a productive day. This still applies even if the tasks are simple. For example, if I set out to wash my hair and fold my laundry, and for the entire day I only complete those tasks, I have had a productive day. 

Overcoming Procrastination


The Overwhelm

Time-blocks - Time blocking is a scheduling format that helps boost productivity by dividing your day into specific blocks of time.

   

It may look something like this: 

8:00 - 8:30: Wake up, make the bed, brush your teeth. 

8:30 - 9:00: Make/eat breakfast 

9:00 - 10:00: Watch an episode of your favourite TV show

10:00 - 10:30: Complete task 1

10:30 - 11:00: Rest 

11:00 - 11:30: Complete task 2


....... And so on...


This way, if you're not done with 1 task after half an hour, you can leave it to do something else, or take a break and finish later. There should be time slots for ample rest and other non-task-like things. I like watching an episode of Criminal Minds (my current binge) in between tasks so I don't feel as overwhelmed. 


The Non-Motivational Approach

"I don't know where to start" 


  • Take a moment to breathe before doing anything. Deep breaths have been scientifically proven to calm and relax. Daily deep breathing exercises (DBE) can lower resting blood pressure (BP) and reduce stress and anxiety (Russo et al., 2017; Zaccaro et al., 2018; Yau and Loke, 2021).
  • Write a to-do list (with deadlines preferably). Be sure to include ALL tasks you want to complete, whether big (completing a project) or small (folding laundry), and when you want to complete them. 
  • Sort your task into groups: importance, size, and deadlines.
  • Complete the smallest task on your list. 
  • Take a break. 
  • Then repeat that cycle until all, or the majority of your tasks have been completed. 
Remember, this is a process, and it will not be easy if you're just starting out. Productivity is also linear and does not have to look this elaborate each day. If all you managed to do today was make it out of bed and eat, it's still a major win. 

QOTD: Do you currently make to-do lists daily? I am a sucker for lists now, I think it's a sign of adulthood. I keep one in my bullet journal.  



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