We all do it; we make a mental list (or physical list) of “To-Dos” and then proceed to do a combination of the following: A) Avoid the list at all costs B) Get constantly side-tracked by the endless oncoming events of life or C) Complete 1-3 tasks and then make up really self-convincing excuses to finish the rest tomorrow (which really means over the span of the next week… or two weeks). And yet, you still can’t help but find that no matter if you complete any tasks or not, you continue to complain about how much stuff you have to do. My theory is that by openly expressing how busy we are, we are in some way asking for self-assurance because we all know everyone is going to complain about their work-load too and this way you know you’re not alone. The thing is, no matter how many times you announce your to-do list to yourself, your roommate, your grandma, your dog, what-have-you, it’s only you who really has the power to get up and get it done. So here are five tips I’ve pulled from my self pep-talks about productivity, to help you start doing those things you’ve been meaning to do (in no particular order):
1. Stop telling yourself you’re going to it at “some point” and just do it.
I know it’s easier said than done, trust me. Most of the time, I find that getting on track starts when I just start doing it instead of building it up to myself or others. Try to remind yourself that it’s better to get it over with now, instead of leaving it for “tomorrow” and waking up the next day to the same workload you woke up to the day before. End the laziness. Simplest example: dirty dishes. Tackling dirty dishes right after a meal and not having to worry about them later is so much more refreshing and uplifting, then putting them off for a few hours after dinner (which you know turns into tomorrow). Avoid scrubbing off that hardened oatmeal from breakfast, my friends, and just get it done.
2. Condense your list as much as possible.
Personally, I think my biggest problem is making so big of a to-do list that I actually just end up overwhelming myself with pointless tasks that aren’t really an immediate priority. I start listing so many tasks that instead of writing priorities, I start listing things like: memorize the New York City subway map, or update my Facebook photo album, or call my aunt. Even though calling your aunt is a priority to an extent, I’ve found that condensing your list as much as possible (to what you truly need to accomplish in an immediate time frame) will help you feel more prioritized and organized. It will help you avoid cringing every time you think about all that you have to do. This way, you will actually feel less stressed and therefore be able to enjoy a nice lengthy heart-to-heart with whichever family member you want to call.
3. Focus on one thing at a time.
We have a tendency to over-book ourselves and then we get frustrated when we can’t figure out where to even start. Here’s where to start: on one thing. If you can’t choose, have a friend pick for you. If you concentrate on one thing at a time you’ll be able to focus more on each thing instead of buzzing over a bunch. Soon enough, you’ll be checking things off one by one.
4. During times of anti-procrastination, social media is not your friend.
This is a biggie and it’s one of my biggest faults. Whenever I’m trying to write a paper on my laptop or read my textbook (because we all read our textbooks right), 97.8% of the time I find I have somehow wondered upon my best friend’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend’s mom’s Facebook pictures from their family vacation. This goes not only for social media but recreational phone use in general or having your TV play Law & Order: SVU reruns as “background noise.” NO. People, try to avoid it at all costs. I know it’s hard, I love watching Olivia Benson kick ass as much as the next girl, but these things turn five minutes into a lifetime and you could have already been deep into those to-dos.
5. Find your productive space.
This is something that helps me the most. When it comes to exercising, I feel so much more free, lively and motivated running at the beautiful park three blocks from me. When it comes to my studies, I get so much more work done when I make the effort to get up and go to Starbucks or the library. I’ve learned the hard way that by locking myself in my apartment in hopes that I’ll get work done actually just results in me getting constantly distracted by my bed and the food in my fridge. Your environment 100% affects your productivity. Also, by surrounding yourself with other people on a productive kick, you’ll have a way better chance of hopping on that bandwagon as well.