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Kicking the Clutter: What kind of procrastinator are you?

Part two: The last-minute racer
Kicking the Clutter Powell River
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Procrastinator: a person who postpones or avoids work, organizing, cleaning, or other activities that will help them accomplish their life goals.

The last-minute racer is the type of procrastinator who leaves everything for the last possible second. The problem with being a last-minute racer is you end up having too little time to finish the work or you have to pull an all-nighter. As a result, your important work is not nearly as good as it could be.

Here are some of the characteristics of the last-minute racer:

“I like working under pressure.” If that’s your thing, you will drive everyone crazy, including yourself. Last-minute racers like the rush of adrenalin knowing the deadline is approaching and having to do everything fast. But doing everything fast often means poor results.

Fun first, work later

Last-minute racers love quick and easy tasks. They start with something fun and put off the harder work for later in the day. As a result, there never seems to be enough time for the more difficult tasks at the end of the day.

A solution for last-minute racers

If you’re a last-minute racer and want to prevent procrastination, you have to be aware of your habits now. Stop fooling yourself with the notion that you will change overnight and become more motivated, have more time or be more energized.

I love this saying: “The best predicament for your future is your past.” For you, it’s critical to start with the most important task first. Free up your calendar in the morning, don’t get distracted by shiny objects or social media sites.

What helps in this case is breaking it down into smaller pieces. Figure out what the first step is and write it down. I start important projects the night before. When I wake up rested after a good night’s sleep, I continue with the work I already started.

If you start with something difficult, even for 10 minutes, then you’ve started the momentum. Now, just schedule 10-minute sessions to build on. Reward yourself for incredible work and commitment to your future.

Procrastination is closely related to disorganization. Some procrastinate on filing taxes, writing a report, general organizing, cleaning and maintaining their home/property, starting a business, or beginning a new exercise routine.

We continue this debilitating habit because there are no immediate consequences to our behaviour. They come later when we experience challenges that all can be related to procrastination.

We all have different reasons for avoiding things, and 95 per cent of people procrastinate, so you’re not alone; you have plenty of company. Wouldn’t you like to be among the other five per cent?

Part three: The productive procrastinator

Part one: The wishful thinker

Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in Powell River and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com