7 Ways to Channel Procrastination Into Productivity
Although procrastination has somewhat of a bad rap as a waste of time, there’s a lot of untapped potential in putting off tasks. Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D and author of Better than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love, says that when you procrastinate, “your subconscious is still working on the task.” You may not be doing what you set out to do, but you are giving yourself time to mull over how you want to tackle the work. When your list of things-to-do seems never ending, completing one of these activities will make you feel productive and ready to check off a larger item on your list.
1. STRAIGHTEN UP
Spend some time straightening up your space. You don’t need to choose a huge task (like cleaning your entire apartment). Start with one room, your desk, or even just one drawer.
2. ENROLL IN A COURSE
There are thousands of free online courses available on everything from social media marketing to diet and nutrition. Pick one and use your available time to learn something new.
3. EMBRACE MEAL PREPPING
Instead of wandering around your home aimlessly looking for something to do, prepare a few meals for the week ahead. This way when you come home from work tired and hungry, you’ll have dinner ready in a matter of minutes.
4. MAKE YOUR BED
This is an easy way to accomplish something small that makes a huge difference. It takes all of ten minutes to change your sheets and linens and that comfy feeling you get when slipping into a clean bed is well worth the effort.
Nothing beats getting into a freshly made bed after a long day. (VGstockstudio / Shutterstock.com)
5. CLEAN OUT YOUR INBOX
There are few things more satisfying than knowing you’re all caught up on your emails. Going into your inbox is a lot more pleasant when you don’t have 200 unread emails staring you in the face.
6. LISTEN TO A PODCAST
Just because you’re procrastinating, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and learn something in the process. There are plenty of quality podcasts that are as educational as they are entertaining.
7. CATCH UP ON CURRENT EVENTS
Read, watch, or listen to the news in any format you wish. Staying informed is just as important staying on top of your work.
