One of the ways to view the task in today's modern world is to decide if your task involves Electronic Communication Activities or Non-Electronic Communications Activities. By determining this you can set the stage to begin your task. You can also steer yourself away from the electronic distractions which are more of a tendency to increase procrastination.
Electronic Communication Activities
- Turn on the computer or phone
- Mentally draft an outline of the conversation or email/test before you actually begin
- Look up a phone number or email in your files
- Get into a blank document (if you have to draft a letter) or set up an email or text
- Start typing or speaking
Conversly if you don't have a "screen" or electronic task at hand, you can consider using this list of steps:
Non-Electronic Communications Activities
- Turn off the computer
- Turn off the cell or mobile phone
- Visualize or decide what needs to be done first
- Get out the tools you need to do the job
- Go to the needed location
- Begin your process
1 comment:
Terry's recommendations on small steps may seem almost too simple, but if you are in the throes of procrastination these small steps are life savers! I have a small placard at home featuring a lovely dragonfly with this quote: "The Most Difficult Step of Any Journey is the First". I believe this to be the most true. Why? Because at first we completely lack momentum, and as a parallel to physics, it takes a lot of force or concentration to change modes and get something started and later done. Jeff Olson also wrote a book on this subject called "The Slight Edge". The basic premise of his concept is that the little things we do each day - either positive or negative - have little noticeable effect for just one day. But over time, these positive little steps become exponentially important in our success and happiness - and our ability to get things done. The little negative steps can concomitantly have a bad effect. So Terry gives wise counsel in focusing on the very smallest of steps to get started.
Post a Comment