What’s Your Frog? Tackling that procrastination

I’ve been putting it off and putting it off.  I can always find something more interesting or more fun to do.  But I know I have to do it and the sooner the better.  It’s like a shadow lurking.  I don’t think about it that often, but it’s there. And when it does surface, I feel anxious, and a little frustrated with myself that I haven’t done it yet.  There’s never the perfect time.  I just have to do it!!  Then it will free up my mind and I’ll feel happier.

For me this “frog” is getting my bookkeeping caught up for my business — recording my expenses and invoices.  It wouldn’t be such an ugly obstacle if I’d stayed on top of it.  But I’ve been “busy.”  And it isn’t fun so I can easily put it off. The inspiration to make my paperwork this week’s tip has inspired me and has basically made me accountable. After all, I better make some progress if I’m going to share it. So today I’m working towards getting at least 30% of it done. I already feel better!

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” — Mark Twain

Thanks to Mark Twain, it’s common to refer to the task that we dislike as a frog and, thus the saying, “Eat the frog first.” What’s your frog? What “thing” do you need to do that you’re putting off because it may be stressful, irritating or just not fun? Stop procrastinating and get it done. Schedule it in your calendar, put a note on your mirror, ask a friend to hold you accountable, if possible, break it into smaller pieces, whatever works for you. You’ll feel so much better once it’s done, and you’ll feel better about yourself for getting it done.

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Tina Hallis, Ph.D. is Chief Positivity Officer of The Positive Edge, a company dedicated to helping people and organizations increase their positivity to improve the quality of people’s work lives and the quality of company cultures. She is certified in Positive Psychology, an authorized partner for Everything DiSC®, and a Professional Member of the National Speaker’s Association