Are you a procrastipainter?
Don’t delay projects. Here’s five ways to stay on track
“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well,” Mark Twain once famously said. Apparently, that’s an ethos shared by many homeowners, especially when it comes to home improvement projects.
In fact, the results of a recent poll commissioned by Glidden Paint reveal that people are more inclined to procrastinate on home maintenance than any other aspect of their lives. The survey found that 84 million people plan to paint a room in their homes in the next year, a majority of whom admit that painting is easy; yet about one in four confess that they’ll delay this project regardless of its lack of difficulty.
The study also shows that Gen Y is 13 per cent more likely than other generations to put off smaller tasks, such as fixing things around the home or painting a space; what’s more, nearly a quarter of millennials would opt for a tattoo over initiating a painting job.
What’s behind these home upgrade hesitations? Plenty, say the pros.
“The top reason why people procrastinate, we’ve found via the survey, is that they don’t feel emotionally prepared for the task. We also found that people aren’t as motivated to get started unless they can visualize the end result,” says Luke Klein, senior brand manager for Pittsburgh-headquartered Glidden Paint.
Many homeowners also opt to delay because they feel overwhelmed by the scope and details of a project and don’t know where to begin, believes Mick Lynch, senior vice-president of installations at Power Home Remodeling in Philadelphia.
“It’s human nature to freeze and not move forward when the process seems complex,” says Lynch. “Plus, renovating a kitchen, painting and other home improvements don’t provide the same rush and excitement as taking a vacation, buying a new car or other big purchases that instantly reward you.”
Tod Colbert, founder of Weather Tight, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based exterior home improvement company, thinks 20- and 30-somethings today, in particular, often give low priority to enhancing their abodes.
“For millennials, their home isn’t always their sanctuary. They value experiences and community more than previous generations, and they want to spend their free time travelling, being with friends and meeting new people,” Colbert notes.
Problem is, kicking that needed upgrade or repair down the curb can lead to regret later — including a costlier and more time-consuming job.
“Say you have a leaking roof but wait too long to fix it. The damage caused by this delay can be much harder and more expensive to fix,” Lynch adds.
To prevent procrastination, try these tips:
1. VISUALIZE THE END RESULT
“The more you focus on what the finished product will look like, the sooner you’ll achieve the end result,” suggested Klein.
2. CREATE A PLAN
“Identify what you want to tackle and in what order. Make lists of the steps and materials needed, and budget appropriately,” Lynch says.
3. BREAK UP YOUR BIG JOB INTO SMALLER PARTS
“If you want to paint a room, don’t feel like you have to get it all done at once,” recommends Cate Griffing, owner of Wow 1 Day Painting in Maywood, New Jersey. “Take one night to do most of the prep work. The next night, fix any wall imperfections. “The next day, paint the walls. The following day, add a second coat if necessary.”
4. ASK FOR HELP
“If less prep were required, 76 million people would be more likely to start a paint project. You’re more likely to get rolling if you have friends or family pitch in with the prep,” Klein says.
5. REWARD YOURSELF UPON COMPLETION
“Every time you complete something on your home project to-do list, give yourself a treat or gift. This provides an incentive to stick to the plan,” advises Colbert.