Completing Tasks - Overcoming Procrastination

“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.” ~William James

We all have uncompleted tasks, some of which can nag and prick at us like burrs. Perhaps it’s a squeaky door that you mean to oil, a button that needs sewing on, papers that need to be filed, a letter to be written, laundry to be folded, and on and on.

These uncompleted tasks are just part of life. But when they pile up, undone for a long time, they negatively affect our energy and our ability to take action to complete the tasks. So why don’t we just complete the tasks?
Here are some possible reasons for our procrastination:

• Lack of time. Sometimes this can be confused with lack of priority. We might say to ourselves “I don’t have time”, when the real reason is “it’s not really important to do it now.” Other times we really are too busy to complete the task.

• Lack of priority. You can go for weeks without wearing those pants that need a re-sewn button because you have other clothes to wear.

• Indecision about how to begin. For example, the wording of a difficult letter or email can cause us to procrastinate writing it.

• Something else needs to be done first. For instance, before you file that stack of papers, you need to make new files, which means going to the office supply store to buy the file folders.

• Fear. We may be afraid of confronting someone, or of failing, or of succeeding.
How do we decide which tasks to complete, how to complete them, and when?

• First, make a list of all those little and big tasks that need completing. Keep the list in one designated place, so you can add items as you think of them, and cross them out when you finish them. Time management teachers call this a “master list.”

• Next, prioritize the tasks. Some things can clearly wait. Others, like paying bills or doing your taxes, cannot wait. If you have an item that particularly irritates you, or is costing you money needlessly, do that first.

• If a task seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller steps and consider each step as a separate task.

• Schedule time in your calendar to start completing your undone tasks. It could be a regular “maintenance time”, such as every Saturday, or a set time every day.

• From now on, if a task can be done in two minutes or less, use the Nike motto: just do it (now).

• Ask for or hire help if you need it to complete the task.

Each time you complete an unfinished task, you’ll feel freer and lighter. Cross it off your master list. Yes, there will always be more tasks to complete, but if you keep at them, you’ll have more energy and more time for fun things and spontaneity.

Now, I’m off to oil the hinge on that squeaky closet door! (that’s a two-minute task, by the way).

copyright © by Patsy Murray and SimpleLife Organizers

Patsy Murray is a Professional Organizer and organizing coach working with clients in Watertown, Massachusetts and the greater Boston area. She organizes homes and home offices of people who feel overwhelmed by too many commitments and too much clutter. She helps them manage their time and simplify their lives so they can work more efficiently with more time to enjoy life. For free organizing tips, visit Patsy’s website, http://www.simplelifeorganizers.com

Tags: Procrastination, schedule time, TIME, time management

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