As much as I love being in business for myself, and even though I get a kick out of wearing almost ALL of the hats around here, it can sometimes be REALLY tricky wearing all of those hats!
To run my business, I need to obviously be a sewer, a bag designer, and a pattern drafter. But in addition, I also need to be a book keeper, an accountant, a web designer, a writer, a graphic designer, a secretary, a mail clerk and a research analyst, and those are just the hats I wear on a regular basis.
To say some of the hats fit better than others is an understatement. And I can tell you for sure, that I would always choose to be sewing, rather than paying bills, but if I don't put that accounts payable hat on pretty regularly, then it won't be long before my business won't be about sewing anymore.
All this to say... since I can't pass off the jobs I dislike to someone else, it's necessary that I stay on top of EVERYTHING, even the yucky stuff! So without further ado, here's four techniques I use on a regular basis to avoid the pitfalls of procrastination.
2. Do it First- I can procrastinate with the best of them, so if I force myself to do the unenjoyable task FIRST, chances are good that I'll knuckle down, focus, and get it done so I can move along to the thing I'd really rather do!
3. Give Yourself an Incentive- I don't just dislike wearing the house-cleaning hat, I DESPISE it! That's why Thursdays are the ONE day of the week that I allow myself to have a soda with my lunch. And by soda, I mean of course an ice-cold, full strength, fully caffeinated Coca-Cola. Heck, if it's a particularly rough house-cleaning day (like after a house full of company), I may just allow myself the whole enchilada and make a lunchtime run to McDonald's)!
4. Do it to Music!- Let's face it, music makes almost everything more enjoyable... even filing, which I can't stand. It's distracting enough to keep my mind off how incredibly boring it is to do filing, but not so distracting that it causes me to stop or slow down, in the way TV would.
So... what about you?
Do you use any of these techniques to keep yourself on task?Or maybe you utilize a different technique? Either way I'd love for you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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For house-cleaning and bill paying, I love the soundtrack to Grease. It keeps the blood flowing and the feet moving.
ReplyDeleteAnything that keeps the feet moving FORWARD is a good thing! I'm with ya!
DeleteBefore I began to do on-line banking, the bill$ would keep me awke at night. Now I don't have to write checks or balance a checkbook, and I can set up the bills to all get paid the day the paycheck/SS check or whatever hits the bank (via direct deposit). Takes only a few minutes and I can do it over breakfast and then forget it!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that I'm not the only one who doesnt balance a checkbook. I'd rather have a tooth pulled!
DeleteCleaning house is always drudgery so I listen to audio books on my ipod and that makes the time go faster and the job not so bad.
ReplyDeleteYou know- I have never tried the books on audio thing. Maybe I should give that a go? :)
DeleteI try to do the chore I dislike the most first- then it is out of the way. I like to listen to talk radio around election time! I know- I'm a Geek. I used to listen to books on tape like Lynn. I think I will start doing that again. I like to invite our friends over on the week-ends and then I have a goal. I seem to work better on anything if I have a deadline.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about being under the gun that gives focus, isnt' there? :)
DeleteSo timely, as usual. I find myself bogged down at times doing the same chores over and over. I inherited two very large dogs from my son and they require a great deal of attention and housekeeping:) Like you, making lists, is key. Music helps as well, everything from modern to classic works. But my most recent revelations probably comes as no surprise to most, but I am very late to the party. I am a terrible sleeper, always have been. However, as I get older I notice that the lack of sleep impacts my energy levels more and more so procrastination seems to be easier, with or without my famous lists. So my goal is to try to develop better sleep habits so that I can read my lists without glazing over and step a little more lively with my music. Rock on!
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best with that. Lack of sleep can affect you in so many ways! :)
DeleteFor some time I have been trying to "DO IT NOW." Whatever the 'it' is may not necessarily be on my list but I keep thinking about it or seeing it in front of me, so to clear that away I just 'do it.' This results in a satisfied feeling of accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteIt makes the enjoyment of what comes AFTER the yucky job so much better too! :)
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