The importance of naming things and the 2 types of procrastination (they’re related, I promise)

Before I share about procrastination, let’s talk about the importance of naming things.

No, this isn’t about anthropomorphizing objects. This is about identifying what’s happening by naming it.

Most of the time, this is talked about in regards to feelings or a medical diagnosis.

Once you identify it (or name it), you’re able to better understand what’s going on, feel more in control, and ask for help (if you need it).

Especially with a medical diagnosis, naming it is very helpful. Once you identify the illness, you know where to focus your next steps.

Recognizing or naming patterns you fall into is also important.

A few years ago, I was at a family gathering, and I left feeling really annoyed with my sister. I realized I had fallen into a pattern from my teenage years and made an effort the next time I was with her to act like the adult I am and treat her like one (she’s only two years younger than me). If I hadn’t recognized the pattern/habit, I wouldn’t have changed it.

With your productivity, it’s super helpful to name how you’re most likely to procrastinate so you can recognize and change it.

Let’s name the two types of procrastination to help you with this.

The first is Unproductive Procrastination.

This is the one we generally think of when we talk about procrastination.

Unproductive Procrastination is scrolling through social media, getting lost on phone apps, watching your streaming service of choice (like Netflix or HULU), or watching TV or YouTube. Or any other unproductive things you might do instead of the important work you want to do.

The second type of procrastination is Productive Procrastination.

This one is super tricky because it makes you feel like you’re getting things done.

And you are!

BUT the important task that you needed to do DOESN’T get done because you spent so much time getting the less important things done instead.

I shared this definition with a client recently, and she said, “OMG, I do that ALL THE TIME! I didn’t even realize it!” The following week she told me that having a name for it was really helpful because now she sees when it’s happening and can change it.

Naming the patterns you fall into, especially around procrastination, can help you make changes.

I know everyone’s situation is different, so let me know if you want to chat about your situation.

AND if you have a question or topic you’d like to see in a future post, share it in the comments.

If you prefer listening/watching, you can catch this on Facebook or YouTube.

What will you be awake worrying about tonight when trying to sleep?

Do you ever find yourself avoiding a project or task?

You know it needs to be done, but you find any number of other things to do first.

Then, when you’re trying to sleep, your brain is busy reminding you of the things you should have done today but didn’t.

Earlier this year, this was happening to me.

I kept pushing the same small project off, and then I’d lay awake worrying about it at night.

I started asking myself a question every day and then did at least one task from the answer was done that day.

The question is: What will you be awake worrying about tonight when trying to sleep?

I’ll be honest, starting this project felt a bit like pulling teeth. But once I got started, it was easier.

AND I spent more time thinking and worrying about the project than it actually took to complete.

The result was, I started sleeping better at night.

My question for you is: What will you be awake worrying about tonight when trying to sleep?

Complete at least one small task regarding your answer today and soon it’ll be done and it won’t be keeping you up anymore!

On left: Picture of "make it happen" notebook; On right: text "How to plan to move things off your everything list and not let something stay on it forever"

How to plan to move things off your everything list and not let something stay on it forever

On my Facebook page I asked which topic you’d like to see covered and the winning topic was ideas for your “Everything” to-do list.

One question someone had was “how to actually plan to move things off of it and not just let something stay on it forever.”

First, let’s talk about what the “everything” list isn’t. It’s not something you look at every day. You look when you’re doing your planning for the week or any other planning you do (month, quarter, or year).

It holds your plans to reach your goals and intentions.

One mistake I made when I started using an “everything” list was making it simply a list of everything that needed to be done. Usually, I grouped it by project, which was helpful, but much like the woman asking the question above, some things never moved off of it.

To complete the items on your “everything” list, I recommend that you group your list by month and assign each task to a month. And anything that you’re not planning on doing in the next 6-12 months or ideas that you want to develop later go on your “later” list.

The next grouping is by week. Prefill your week with tasks or projects that recur monthly.

My monthly recurring tasks include:

  • On the last week of each month, planning the upcoming month
  • On the third week of each month, I select the quotes I’ll post to my business page, create the image, and schedule them.

​Create the prefilled week template for 5-6 months out. This allows you to add things to it as things come up, such as:

  • reaching out to that person who said now isn’t a good time but to check in with them in 6 months
  • sending your bio to that group you will be speaking to closer to your speaking date
  • deciding if you’re going to move forward with an idea (yes, you can add decisions to your list too!) you had for later in the year

Assign these things to the month and week you’ll do them and not when they’re due (this gives you wiggle room).

When you do your monthly planning, map out the tasks you need to complete for each project or goal, and assign those tasks to weeks of the upcoming month.

Now, you’re set to create your weekly list. You cut and paste (or rewrite) the tasks you assigned for the upcoming week to this week, add the tasks you do every week, and the loose ends from last week. 

When your tasks are assigned to a specific week (or month if it’s happening much later), you’re much more likely to get it done.

There’s a lot of information packed in up there, so please leave a comment with any questions you have OR tell me if you have an “everything” list and how it’s set up.

I just can’t get started in the morning

The other day I came across a Facebook post in a group that went something like this:

I’m just getting started in my business and I’m struggling. I can’t seem to get started in the mornings.
I know I’m good at what I do, but I just can’t get going.
Any insight or advice for me?

And there was some really great advice for her in the comments that included:

  • Go for a walk (or move in some way)
  • Set up a morning routine that gets your juices flowing
  • Do something else for a bit when you’re stuck
  • Know your most productive time of day and plan your day accordingly

​I agree with all of this advice.

I can also understand the posters problem.

I am not a morning person.

Left to my own devices (i.e., no plan), it can be quite a while before I actually start working.

This is why my last task each day is to plan the next day. I’ll plan to start my day at a specific time, and if I don’t start then, things on my daily list won’t get done. And that will bother me.

However, it’s not just about planning the day; it’s about planning the day for how I work.

I know if I put the most challenging task of my day first that I’ll procrastinate getting to work. 

Instead, I’ll generally put one or two easy or quick tasks at the beginning of my day.

This means I’ve already crossed at least one thing off my list before I’ve been in the office an hour. It creates a bit of momentum for the day.

If you also have problems getting started in the morning, try this and let me know how it goes.

Otherwise, what do you do to get started in the mornings? 

Comment below and share with me!

Text on picture of lit bulb on desk: How do you plan for your creative work?

How do you plan for your creative work?

How do you plan for your creative work?

Someone asked me this a couple of weeks ago.

My default answer comes in a video by Craig Benzine (aka WheezyWaiter) many years ago where he said:

If you want to create something and you’re not feeling inspired, take a closer look as to why that is, or just ignore it and start doing stuff.

Craig Benzine

I think that’s true.

I also think there’s something to be said for taking inspiration when it comes.

Each week I have a rough idea when I’ll write my article.

Sometimes I’ll have an idea for the article before that time comes.

I used to write down a sentence or two and save the idea for my article writing time.

Then the time would come, I’d look at the note and write a brilliant article. Well, that’s the intention, but it very rarely happens that way.

What actually happens is: I look at the note and have no clue where I wanted to go with it.

Now, when inspiration comes, I’ll take about 15 minutes to write out as much of the idea as I can. Then, when my article writing time comes, I can polish it up.

There are still weeks where I sit down to write, and I’m not inspired. No ideas appear.

Sometimes I move on, sometimes I write about not having ideas, and last week I shared two articles from earlier this year that you might have missed or need to read again.

I guess you could say, sometimes not having inspiration can be the inspiration for something. 

How do you plan for creative work? Share in the comments below.