I am not generally a procrastinator except when I am. I prefer to think of what I do while I’m fittin’ to get ready to do what needs to be done as: marinating ideas before I commit them to paper planning before I act.
I get a lot of piddling things done when I’m marinating about the larger projects. This results in hours passing, a lot getting done, being too tuckered to take on the project that I should have been doing and shelving it for yet another day.
Works for me…except when it doesn’t.
Then I remember, “well-begun is half-done.” I don’t know who said this first but it’s something I’ve heard since I was a child.
I have to force myself to begin, sometimes wrestling long and hard with myself:
Do it, Candelaria. Do it, to it. Stop messing around. Just do it, already!
Whine: But I don’t wanna. I’m tired. I’m bored. Haven’t I done this a million times already why do I have to do it again? Ah yes – for the money, for the meal, for the order. Sigh.
These are the ways I’ve found to start.
(For Consulting Projects):
Making a list of project components.
Doodling ideas on a scrap of paper.
Typing in the client or project’s name on a word document. (Other words usually follow but even when they don’t, it means it’s officially begun.)
Looking at similar work I’ve done before.
Something has to be written to get it started…sort of like water to prime a pump.
(For Chores):
Sprinkle cleanser in the tub so that I have no choice but to scrub it down before I take my next shower.
Placing the broom and mop where I’ll have to trip over them.
Dumping the contents of the messy drawer or shelf on my bed or dining room table so I’ll have to deal with it
Not turning on the computer until the floor has been swept.
(for Cooking):
Washing the lettuce and storing in a container. (Makes it quicker to assemble a salad later.)
Chopping up the veggies for soup, spaghetti or stir fry early in the morning before I grab the paper.
Are you a procrastinator or a do-er?
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