I’ve just listened to Productive Talk #01 podcast which features David Allen and Merlin Mann. It’s a very interesting podcast in which they talk about procrastination and how to handle it. Toward the end of the show, there is something David says that catches me:
Procrastination actually is not about not doing, it’s about not doing and feeling crappy.
The point I get is, we are procrastinating if we are doing something which is not the most important thing to do right now. For example, now I have three tasks I can do, namely A, B and C. Based on the importance A is #1, B is #2 and C is #3. You see, doing B is important enough since it is #2. But if I choose to do B instead of A, then I’m actually procrastinating ! In this case, I’m procrastinating doing A which is the task I should actually do.
This understanding gives new insight to me. Frankly, I often do the #2 things because I think they are important enough. Anyway, they rank second, right ? I just don’t want to do the #1 thing right now. Maybe next.
Well, this understanding tells me loud and clear that by doing so I’m actually procrastinating. Even doing the #2 is not good enough. I should be doing the #1.
[…] Your responsibilities can be done, no matter how daunting and challenging they may seem initially. Tell yourself that you can do it, and that you choose to do so. Recognize the fact that procrastinating […]