19 min
135. Procrastination tips for moms Simple on Purpose | Intentional Living and Parenting
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- Parenting
Procrastination is an avoidant strategy and there are so many layers to it, why we do it, how to redirect it, how to accept it, and so on. It is also something almost everyone does and something that can cause a lot of shame, especially for moms
What is procrastination?
It is putting something off for later.
We all do it, everday. We put off phone calls and chores and errands.
So how do we know if we simply PRIORITIZING our time and energy of it we are procrastinating?
Why we procrastinate
There is a reason that deep down it is preferable to us to put off the task. Some reasons might include overwhelm, avoidance, all or nothing perfectionism, or we deep down don't want to do it.
How the brain responds to pending tasks
The brain has three jobs: seek pleasure, avoid pain, stay efficient.
When we have the thought about a task we 'should' do the brain responds inline with this criteria - will it produce pleasure or pain? does it require a lot of energy?
Procrastination is not always a bad thing
Sometimes procrastinating tasks can be a benefit. There are situations where it allows us to do better work, use the sense of urgency for energy, discover our true priorities, uncover some identity clutter we might have, and have less anxiety in the present.
Three ways procrastination can be a problem:
1. Because of what we do instead of the 'task'. We most likley turn to non-essential, short-term gratification activities. These often become our 'bad habits'.
2. Because of what is NOT getting done. Whether we feel like this moves us further away from our 'ideal' self (and make sure you know what that is!), piles up the chores, or becomes a way we do our life.
* Episode 129 on Expectation Overwhelm
* Get the Live you VISION worksheets
* Get the Live your VALUES worksheets
* Get the Life on Purpose Workbook
3. Because of what we think it means about us. As we procrastinate we start to identify as a procrastinator (and usually this is loaded with shame and judgement). Then we start to live into this limiting identiy we have of ourselves.
Three questions to help you deal with procrastination in your day
* Why do I want to avoid this task?
* Is this task important to my personal values and vision?
* Is this task a prioritiy TODAY?
* If yes, ask: what is one small step I can do to get started?
* If no, schedule it on the calendar and listen to episode 150 called Do You Trust Yourself to Show Up For You.
Full transcript of the episode (unedited)
Hey friends, it's Shawna, your nerdy girlfriend and life coach from simple on purpose.ca Welcome to the simple on purpose podcast. This is a place where I share ideas that I hope will inspire you to slow down, think about what matters to you your personal values, and do the work of showing up well for that.
Procrastination is an avoidant strategy and there are so many layers to it, why we do it, how to redirect it, how to accept it, and so on. It is also something almost everyone does and something that can cause a lot of shame, especially for moms
What is procrastination?
It is putting something off for later.
We all do it, everday. We put off phone calls and chores and errands.
So how do we know if we simply PRIORITIZING our time and energy of it we are procrastinating?
Why we procrastinate
There is a reason that deep down it is preferable to us to put off the task. Some reasons might include overwhelm, avoidance, all or nothing perfectionism, or we deep down don't want to do it.
How the brain responds to pending tasks
The brain has three jobs: seek pleasure, avoid pain, stay efficient.
When we have the thought about a task we 'should' do the brain responds inline with this criteria - will it produce pleasure or pain? does it require a lot of energy?
Procrastination is not always a bad thing
Sometimes procrastinating tasks can be a benefit. There are situations where it allows us to do better work, use the sense of urgency for energy, discover our true priorities, uncover some identity clutter we might have, and have less anxiety in the present.
Three ways procrastination can be a problem:
1. Because of what we do instead of the 'task'. We most likley turn to non-essential, short-term gratification activities. These often become our 'bad habits'.
2. Because of what is NOT getting done. Whether we feel like this moves us further away from our 'ideal' self (and make sure you know what that is!), piles up the chores, or becomes a way we do our life.
* Episode 129 on Expectation Overwhelm
* Get the Live you VISION worksheets
* Get the Live your VALUES worksheets
* Get the Life on Purpose Workbook
3. Because of what we think it means about us. As we procrastinate we start to identify as a procrastinator (and usually this is loaded with shame and judgement). Then we start to live into this limiting identiy we have of ourselves.
Three questions to help you deal with procrastination in your day
* Why do I want to avoid this task?
* Is this task important to my personal values and vision?
* Is this task a prioritiy TODAY?
* If yes, ask: what is one small step I can do to get started?
* If no, schedule it on the calendar and listen to episode 150 called Do You Trust Yourself to Show Up For You.
Full transcript of the episode (unedited)
Hey friends, it's Shawna, your nerdy girlfriend and life coach from simple on purpose.ca Welcome to the simple on purpose podcast. This is a place where I share ideas that I hope will inspire you to slow down, think about what matters to you your personal values, and do the work of showing up well for that.
19 min