Perfectionist procrastination
I find that most of my procrastination comes from being a perfectionist. It is hard to think of starting a big project without having sufficient time to finish it in whole. Breaking the large project up into smaller "projects" seems to help. So rather than saying "this next three weeks I have to completely redesign the lab", it helps to say "tomorrow I have to get three of the new trainers into the lab and operating properly". It is a subtle trick that seems to help fool me into thinking I got everything done. Although it does not always work, I sometimes do not fall for my trick... :)
Shelly, Sounds like you've taken the time to get to know yourself and your personal working style. I appreciate your honesty in your self assessment and it likely serves you well. With these kinds of insights, it's a lot easier to make small changes that increase our productivity.
Dr. Melissa Read
I can relate to you Gary! There's something about the time crunch that increases my productivity. Sometimes I'm just thinking through a process or project in my mind before I actually get it down on paper. I learned not to worry as much as long as I am spending time on the task.
As a perfectionist, I used to wait to begin projects, because I wasn't sure if I could complete them perfectly the first try. I see how unrealistic it sounds, but perfectionists can relate :) I started typing "Rough Draft" on the top of my papers & it really helped. Somehow it removed a mental roadblock that was keeping me from getting started.
Gary, Ha! Nice to know you have a good handle on exactly where you are coming from. Note that some instructors do thrive under pressure. Like you, they get more out of their work when they do it a little late. Yes, to your point about balance. That's really key.
Dr. Melissa Read
I as well am a perfectionist. I feel that procrastinating actually helps me manage things and get them done. I seem to do my best work when time is crunched and under stress. If I have alot of time to do something I tend to over think it trying to make it perfect. The stress of procrastination seems to counter that to a degree. The key is finding the balance. If I ever find myself being overwhelmed, breaking out the to-do list works great. Oh yeah. I almost forgot. "My name is Gary, and I am a workaholic." Hehe
I agree Joan. Sometimes 80% is enough too. It's hard because many instructors are perfectionists. We want things to be 100% all the time but we only have so much time. Sometimes we've got to remind ourselves of the basic requirements of our tasks and pick and choose when we decide to go above and beyond.
Sometimes I play "beat the clock". If I worked on a task till I am satisfied, it might take hours, days, or weeks. I need to remind myself that sometimes 90% is good enough (although, that depends upon what the task is).
So, if I estimate that it could be done satisfactorily (not ideally) in 1-2 hours, although I could spend all day on it if I had that luxury, then I'll give myself that time limit and just do it in 1-2 hours. I HAVE to wrap it up within that time allowance. This way, I have to stop when it is time to "clock out".
I have a really hard time with procrastinating everything. I wait to the last minute on big project, because I feel that I when I do my best work...more or less because I have to finish the work. I usually only procrastinate with things that affect me, not other people as well. I am very organized when it comes to classroom instruction.
Excellent to hear Taylon. You don't have to manage your tasks perfectly and some tasks are ok to let slip through the cracks. Just focus on prioritization and you should be ok!
i too have been trying to manage my procrastination. tricks like this have really helped me.
I need help because I'm a procrastinator. I'm going to try Randall's trick and see if it works for me. I always get my work done, but I have a bad habit of waiting to the last minute. I was going to go to a procrastination workshop, but I just kept putting it off. Help.
Excellent trick Randall and one that I'm confident many other instructors can benefit from. When we break down large tasks, they become much more manageable and far less overwhelming. We also feel a sense of completion each day which can be very satisfying.
