The “Distractions List” Method That Has Kicked My Procrastination Habit

I’m a grasp procrastinator. I’m so good at it that I’ll procrastinate by studying articles about easy methods to not procrastinate. Normally, these articles are full of commonsense gadgets like preserving a planner and setting common work hours, which have by no means labored for me. However as soon as, in a very unhealthy match of procrastination, I got here throughout one thing known as the “distractions checklist” methodology. I assumed it was ingenious and instantly started utilizing it — and it has nearly doubled my productiveness.

A distractions checklist is actually one other form of to-do checklist, however one which retains you centered on what you’re already doing. With this methodology, you make a listing of all of the issues that distract you as you’re engaged on a undertaking. Write them down in the intervening time they enter your thoughts. That can get the nagging thought out of your head and onto a chunk of paper so it gained’t get in the way in which of ending your work. If you take a break, you’ll be able to overview the distractions checklist to see if there’s something you have to do immediately or when you can simply take away it from the checklist in any case.

The distractions checklist trick works notably effectively with the Pomodoro Method, the place you’re employed in 25-minute increments and take five-minute breaks in between. Through the breaks, I’m usually capable of knock a bunch of little issues off the checklist.

My distractions checklist has been a large boon to my productiveness. Earlier than, when one thing would distract me, I might cease what I used to be doing to shortly handle that new to-do. Now it will get put aside till I’m prepared. I don’t have to fret about forgetting the factor I’m alleged to do by the point I’m accomplished working, or taking time away from work to do it.

I solely use my distractions checklist whereas I’m working from house, which is form of humorous, as a result of the checklist tends to refill with issues I have to do round the home. Possibly I would like to begin a load of laundry or clear off the desk — I jot them down and transfer on. I additionally embrace some bigger, outside-the-home gadgets, like making a physician’s appointment or mailing a bundle. Any activity that occurs to distract me whereas I’m working goes on the checklist.

Throughout my breaks from work once I’m utilizing the Pomodoro Method, I deal with some issues on the distractions checklist. If something is left over on the finish of the workday, I both do them immediately or save nonessential gadgets till the subsequent day, and add them to the checklist whereas I’m working once more. On the finish of the week, I attempt to cross each remaining activity off the checklist.

My distractions checklist is the one factor that’s ever truly helped with my procrastination behavior. It retains me on monitor as a result of I’m getting the thought out of my mind, and it additionally helps me really feel calmer and extra organized as a result of I’m not fascinated about one million issues unexpectedly. As a substitute, I’m monitoring them and permitting myself to get again to the duty at hand. It’s a form of meditation. With meditation, you embrace drifting ideas after which refocus in your breath. With the distractions checklist, you write down drifting ideas after which refocus in your work. Give it a strive. You gained’t remorse it.