PAY CLOSE ATTENTION

We all lose precious moments to delaying tactics, postponement and dilly-dallying. Social entrepreneur Sharath Jeevan and author Gemma Bray explain how to call time on this self-defeating behaviour

Know your ‘why’

“Ask yourself what is at the root of your procrastination,” says Jeevan. “There might be a very good reason, such as you don’t have all the information, input or energy you need to complete the task.” Procrastination is not always a bad thing – it may be necessary if it’s not about avoidance.

What makes you tick?

“Not everyone thrives on completing tasks immediately,” says Jeevan. “I’m someone whose creative juices flow best close to the final deadline. I feel fresher, and that type of urgency helps me deliver a good product. Knowing your own style helps a lot.”

Do the toughest task first

This is known as the ‘eat the frog’ strategy (eat the frog or it will eat you and you will procrastinate all day). It’s tempting to postpone difficult tasks, but they will sap your attention – at the back of your mind, you know the task is waiting.

Don’t use ‘research’ as an excuse

“I have my phone set up with three different home screens – work, home and lifestyle – with fitness apps, social media and so on,” says Bray. “That stops me checking the weather, browsing Facebook and online shopping whenever I pick up my phone. If it’s not on my work screen, I don’t go there.”

Perfectionism doesn’t make perfect

One reason a lot of us procrastinate is because we are fearful that our work is not good enough as it is. Maybe we have grandiose ideas about our completed project having to be a world-class work of art, business or science.

“Perfectionism is the enemy of the good,” says Jeevan. “Instead, aim for mastery. Mastery accepts that you never get to perfection, but what should motivate you is the process of getting better and better at the work. Do your best at the time, but accept that there will always be things on which you can improve. Getting more proficient at something is exciting.”

Balance your timekeeping

If time is the currency of your life, how are you spending yours? When the clocks spring forward and you lose an hour, you realise the value of 60 minutes. But how can you use your time more meaningfully?