If you are anything like me, you procrastinate, not a personality trait I’m proud of, but it is part of who I am. Perhaps for you it’s the to-do list you never actually “do,” your bills, laundry, cleaning, or anything that is put off, and you wind up stressing out about later. I have noticed that these mundane tasks can actually cause more anxiety for me and many of my clients.
Normal lists may not do the trick anymore because they get written and then never completed, giving me more anxiety. So, rather than making myself feel bad for putting off yet another thing, I take five minute action breaks and start getting things done. My sense of satisfaction boosts and so does my level of happiness.
Five Minutes: Here’s How it Works
You have five minutes, I know you do (get off Facebook or Instagram for a little while and you will find the time) and set out an area of your life you need to tackle. You can do this at work, at home, or even while your commuting. Today, I chose my desk.
- Set a timer. Use your phone, the microwave, or your oven, whatever will ding to let you know time is up.
- Get to work. Make it a game, see how much you can accomplish. Chances are, you may even go longer than the time you set. I organized my files, grabbed a bottle of Windex, took out the trash, vacuumed, and put away anything that looked out of order. By the time I was done I had a few seconds left, and was smiling! That was something I was dreading for weeks, and only took me about 4 minutes! I do this with many irritating tasks, responding to or organizing emails or paying my bills. Sometimes I set it for longer, but when I keep the time frames small, I feel accomplished and motivated to move forward with my day. You can do this multiple times throughout the day.
- Use rewards. Maybe you reward yourself by checking Twitter or having a piece of chocolate, or doing something fun. Don’t go overboard here but, if its something you have really had a difficult time completing, why not? It will signal the reward center of your brain, making you more likely feel better about finishing the task next time.
Many of my clients who have ADD/ADHD or who find that they procrastinate and then feel guilty have found this technique effective. Telling yourself or a child, “the whole room needs to be clean,” is a daunting tas, and often times we get so overwhelmed by the big picture, we don’t see how easy it is to break it down into manageable assignments. Start with five minutes on a corner or a drawer, when your done find your inner cheerleader and give yourself a pat on the back.
So take 5, 10, or 15 minutes and start getting happier, and more control of your life, you have the time somewhere in your schedule. Just make it happen. Have a tip that works for you? Please share!
* * * * *
Emily Roberts MA, LPC is The Guidance Girl. Her goal is to help YOU become the most confident person you know! Emily is an award-winning author Express Yourself: A Teen Girls Guide to Speaking Up and Becoming Who You Are, Psychotherapist, TV & Media Contributor, Educational Speaker, and parenting consultant. She travels around the country educating girls, women, and parents. Express Yourself is available at bookstores nationwide and on Amazon. To learn more about Emily click here.
You have brought up a very good details , regards for the post.
Excellent site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your effort!
Thanks Dorthey! I appreciate your support. Let me know if you ever have questions, I am happy to write about them.
Take Good Care,
Emily
I would like to get across my admiration for your kindness supporting folks that need to have guidance on in this topic matter. Your personal dedication to getting the remedy throughout had become particularly advantageous and has encouraged regular men and women just like me to achieve their pursuits. Your insightful data indicates a lot to me and substantially more to my fellow workers. Thanks a great deal; from all of us.
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to search out any person with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this website is one thing that’s wanted on the web, somebody with slightly originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the web!
I am commenting to let you understand what a incredible discovery my child experienced checking yuor web blog. She even learned a wide variety of details, which included how it is like to have a marvelous giving heart to have certain people really easily know various advanced topics. You truly did more than people’s expectations. Thank you for coming up with those warm and friendly, dependable, edifying not to mention fun guidance on that topic to Emily.
Hello. magnificent job. I did not anticipate this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
I do not even know how I stopped up here, but I believed this post used to be good. I don’t recognize who you might be but certainly you are going to a well-known blogger in the event you are not already 😉 Cheers!
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such fantastic info being shared freely out there.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
glad it was helpful let me know if you have any questions!
Great work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on Google for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
Google…
[…]Here is a good Blog You might Come across Exciting that we Encourage You[…]…
I definitely wanted to jot down a brief message so as to express gratitude to you for all the lovely information you are placing at this website. My incredibly long internet look up has at the end of the day been honored with good facts and strategies to go over with my contacts. I ‘d claim that many of us visitors are unequivocally fortunate to exist in a remarkable site with very many perfect professionals with useful strategies. I feel truly lucky to have seen your entire webpages and look forward to some more fabulous times reading here. Thanks a lot once more for everything.
Thanks for the lovely words! I appreciate your kind words. Take Good Care, Emily
Pretty energetic blog, I liked that bit. Will there be a piece 2?
I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again!
Immensely cool points you’ve gotten right here, thanks much
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for
this information for my mission.
Feel free to surf to my weblog; sytropin benefits