I have to admit, one of my big vices is coffee. I drink different kinds, but as I sit and write or do any other work at my desk in the evening and into the night, you will usually see a cup of Java close to me.
To make this posting make any sense, I must also admit that I really don't like to do laundry, to take out garbage or to deal with dirty or clean dishes. (a domestic goddess I am not...)
In the last 2 weeks, I have decided to use this Joe-drinking habit to my advantage. It now helps me fight procrastination.
While I love coffee, I don't drink it very fast. Frequently, it will get cold before the cup is even half empty. So, when I go to take a drink I decide to get up and throw it in the microwave to heat it up. That takes 1 minute. When I brew my coffee, it takes about 8 minutes from the time I get out the stuff to make it and the time it is done.
That is not long . . .
Most you will agree that neither 8 minutes or 1 minute are very long and that most people could sustain undesired activities for that long. Thinking that through for a moment, I decided to give it a try. I decided to decide that I would use those few minutes every so often in my day to get the things done that I did not want to do.
Why domestic type items during that time?
I picked activities that were close in proximity to where I made or heated my coffee. Since the activities were close, it has been easy to do one or two things and then move on with my day.
It is working
Now that I have personally tested this for 2 weeks, I can tell you that it is working for me! The laundry is 100% up to date, all garbage cans are empty and dishes are not in the sink or on the counter. I even added wiping down cabinets and cleaning out the fridge to the list.
I work quickly and efficiently because I have made it a game. How much can I get through before the microwave beeps or the coffee pot stops percolating? (Yes, coffee lovers, I still use a percolator most of the time.) I have even surprised myself at what can get done during that time.
Your Turn!
How do you use "beat the clock?" What things do you do to fight procrastination? I'd love to hear what you think. You can do so by commenting on this posting - Here
To your success!
