Stressful Moments in Procrastination...

I can't tell you how many people tell me they're "big-time" procrastinators... My thought on that is, who isn't? I seriously can't think of anyone who, for the majority of the time, completes tasks ahead of schedule. I think anyone who does, must be superhuman or something, because it's just so against our natural tendencies. PLUS, it's practically a law of the universe that we're all pretty much going to be procrastinators- ever hear of Parkinson's Law? Tim Ferriss talks about it in his book, The 4 Hour Work Week. (Yes, that's me with the bold and adventurous author himself). It states that's a task will expand to the time alloted to complete it. In other words, if I ask you for a one page write up on your hopes and dreams, and I say have it back to me in three days, you'll get it done in three days. If I ask for it in three weeks, guess when I'll get it- at the end of the three weeks. It's so true, isn't it! It doesn't matter on the complexity of the task, it's the time given to complete it! I think this is pretty funny, considering many of us walk around calling ourselves procrastinators like it's a bad thing. Let's just let go of the guilt and accept it. Maybe I'll even start a club, Procrastinators Anonymous, where we can all tell stories of the ridiculously stressful moments we've gotten ourselves into, all because we put off doing something to the very last minute. What would be your worst story?
The best thing to do, considering the FACT that we're all procrastinators, is to operate as efficiently as possible throughout our days, maximizing our minutes, keeping an organized desk that's devoid of distracting piles of paper, and just immerse ourselves into our projects and to do lists. Find ways to trick yourself of the deadlines if you have to, all to create a greater sense of urgency. It's time to to get off email, pick our most important tasks for the day, and knock them each out, one at a time.

Must we be Connected to our Cell Phones ALL the TIME?

Seriously, what's up with people talking on their cell phones at the gym? Last night, there was a guy sitting at one of the weight machines, not lifting, just texting. Now yes, I might be one of those people who believe we don't need to be connected to our phones 24/7, but even for those who would disagree with me, is it really necessary to bring it to the gym? Can we not go ONE hour without being on our phones? Hey, I'll admit, I am all for talking and driving, (assuming you're a decent driver to begin with), because it is definitely a great time to catch up with people or return calls, however, trying to workout and talk or text just don't easily fit together, hand in hand.
Multi-tasking, no matter how hard you don't want to believe me on this, actually SLOWS down the time it takes to complete our tasks. We think we're being faster, more efficient or getting more done in less time, but that just isn't the case! When we try and use the same part of our brain for two different tasks, the amount of brain power available to each task is significantly decreased. It makes sense, right? So practice doing ONE thing at a time- including working out, writing a blog or listening to your friend tell a story on the phone... This will increase our effectiveness in whatever we're doing- so go get buff and stay off the phone while you're at it!