Procrastinate Some Other Day

"Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today."

~ Author unknown

I've been meaning to write about this topic for awhile, now, but other things kept coming up and taking preference. It happens to all of us. A project that gets put on the back burner until we find more time. It might be a project that we loathe doing, or a long to-do list that makes us tired when we think about it: a junk drawer to clean out; a shelf to put up in the garage; a ceiling spot that needs to be re-painted. It might be something we enjoy doing, but is too time-consuming and we dread the effort or mess the project involves: updating a scrapbook; sewing a dress; planting a vegetable garden. 

No matter what your long-awaiting project may be, do it now. Today. Devote the next 10 minutes of your time to your project. Get out your supplies and get going. The only thing holding you back is you. No more excuses. Don't keep telling yourself, "I'll do it later," or "I'll get to it someday." You know that if you continue on this thought process, things will never get done. Someday is not a day of the week. Procrastinating on our projects leaves us feeling heavy and bogged down. No one wants to end their day feeling like they haven't accomplished anything.

So, how do you get the motivation to actually get moving on these projects? Just remember, nothing will get done unless you do something. Start somewhere. Think in the back of your mind, "If I just do it, it will be done." Thinking this can actually help get you through your project. It's the power of positive thinking.

It's an amazing feeling to finish a project that has been put on the shelf for so long. It motivates you to do more. It doesn't have to take a lot of time. Just give yourself enough time to get going. You might be surprised how much you can get accomplished in a small amount of time. And, if time permits, you might find yourself motivated to continue on your project-finishing journey. Before you know it, you'll be crossing those items off of your to-do list.

One sure way to get yourself moving is to place the items you need for your project somewhere you will see them. Someplace that will be embarrassingly visible to company when they come to visit. Someplace that will constantly be in your way during regular day-to-day tasks. This will prompt you, every time you pass this spot, to clear out that project. But, the only way to clear it out is to finish it. This technique has worked for me. It can work for you. True, sometimes life really does get in the way and you find yourself looking at a craft project sitting on your kitchen counter for a week. No matter how many times you clean your kitchen ~ around the paint and craft supplies ~ the room never feels clean because that nagging, unfinished project is staring you in the eyes. So, devote 10 minutes. That's all you need to get yourself going. After 10 minutes, you may decide you have a few more minutes to spare. You'll be finished in no time.

Putting your projects off doesn't buy you time, it just adds stress. The longer your to-do list gets, the harder it will be to accomplish the tasks. So just start. Get something done. Today. If you act now to finish a project, you'll be able to enjoy whatever it is that comes up tomorrow. And something always will.

Procrastination