Anyone who has read more even a handful of blog posts has surely read at least one that falls into the category of a listicle. You know the posts I mean – Five reasons for this, Twelve tips on that… I’ve done them too like here and here.

And I wish this was a list post. I really do! It’s not that I’m so in love with list posts – they’re fine – it’s just I can’t give you five tips on how to avoid procrastinating.

Sure, I could do a Google search and come up with many reasons. I could even draw a couple from my own observations and experiences.

But it would be disingenuous, unauthentic.

I’m not a natural procrastinator. It’s not in my DNA. I’m a doer and come from a line of doers.

Check this out:

I put away the groceries the minute I walk in the door.
I unpack my clothes/stuff as soon as I get home
I answer email as quickly as I can.
I apologize if it takes me more than a day to return a call.
I am obsessed about making deadlines.
I’ve never hit the snooze button in my life.

I wouldn’t call myself a type A personality.

I’m a good relaxer. Especially on the beach. Practically a bum there. Or with a book. Or watching sports – particularly when my Philly teams are on and playing well (wish that was more often).

But generally – I just like to get things done. When I have a lot to do, I feel burdened. I want to handle what I need to handle and move on. I want to take care of my responsibilities – it makes me feel lighter, productive, and accomplished.

Yup, this is my natural way.

Yet, sometimes I procrastinate.

I build something up in my head as being too much – too time consuming, confusing, challenging, etc. and I just don’t want to start. The negatives thoughts scream out in my head, I can’t, I don’t know, I’m not able… Just the thought of starting makes me feel tired.

—

I know what I should do.

Think about the times where I didn’t believe in the past, and then things worked out. Remind myself about how good it will feel when I handle the task.  I should make myself start and not worry about completing the whole task – less daunting.

By the way, I’m not a good procrastinator. Yes, I can surf the net with the best of them and convince itself its absolutely necessary I know x fact or read y article, etc.  But, when I do procrastinate, I just end up feeling guilty for wasting time. “What’s wrong with you?” I ask myself during these moments of procrastination.  I go to bed feeling guilty and unproductive.

It’s that doer thing.

So, I don’t really know how to avoid procrastination. But I’m pretty sure there are aspects of it that are dependent upon each individual.

Maybe, procrastination is a natural occurrence when we come upon something that we feel unprepared for. Maybe, it’s a good thing. It teaches us to be cautious as danger can lie ahead.

Ahh – maybe I’m making more excuses for procrastination.

I could really use Five Tips on How to Avoid Procrastinating.

Pic is courtesy of unsplash.