Life
the art in overcoming
procrastination
make to-do-lists
In drafting my quarterly articles for this wonderfully
insightful magazine, I feel I owe it to
my readers to write only about that which
I am knowledgeable about or have personally
experienced. However, this article will be more
of an experiment rather than experience as I
learn with my readers. The biggest challenge I
face on a regular basis is my procrastination. I
define “my procrastination” as the knowledge
that something needs to be done and the unintentional
neglect in not getting it done until the
very last minute. Truth be told, this article is due
first thing this morning. Meeting the “absolute
deadline” is an ironic and perfect example of the
depth of my procrastination.
I tend to add everything to my daily to-do list
even those items that are not immediately due.
In making a long laundry list, not only will items
with less priority be overlooked but the entire
numerous daunting list of tasks will inevitably go
unfinished. The less there is on the to-do list, the
less likely there is that something will be ignored.
A sense of accomplishment can be found in even
the small successes. Recognizing that my to-do
list does not need to include everything that I
must do from now until then end of the year and
instead creating a daily to-do list with items to
be done that day in order is a preferred way to
prioritize. Once the duties are complete and
items checked off the to-do list, you can make a
new, shorter to-do list.
As many do, I struggle with getting started. Nike
infamously said it best when they advertised to
“Just Do It.” Getting started is often the hardest
part. Whether you start with the toughest thing
first or the easiest thing first, “just do it.” I don’t
know how much time I wasted trying to determine
what to do first. If your tasks make you feel
like you are tackling an elephant, it is said the way
to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.
There is satisfaction found in doing what is right
and doing things for others. These are items that
should be first on the list after the critical items
are done. Recognize why it is you are doing what
you are doing. Remembering why you are working
so hard towards a goal can re-inspire you. In
the mountain of must-haves, we can lose sight of
what we are truly working towards. Many times, I
only have to think about the people that are relying
on me to get things done to refocus.
If nothing I write inspires you, perhaps what
the Lord says about procrastination will. “Work
willingly at whatever you do, as though you are
working for the Lord rather than for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance
as your reward, and that the Master you are
serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23)
Meet the Attorney
Amanda Salcido is an attorney practicing in family
and dependency law. She is also a soldier in the
United States Army JAG Corps. She take a personal,
hands-on approach in representing her clients. For
more information visit her website.
Salcido Law Office
Call Amanda to schedule
an appointment.
863-688-1728
SalcidoLawOffice.com
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