I Used to Procrastinate, Then I Learned to Prioritize

Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today.

Who grew up hearing this constantly from their parents? As a young person, it didn’t make sense. Why not put off what I don’t want to do until tomorrow? There’s a lot more fun to have today!

But as an adult, not only do I have responsibilities I can’t procrastinate, but I also want to set an example to my family and team on how to tackle responsibilities in such a way that procrastination is no longer the most attractive option.

Prioritizing can feel like a speed limit, but in reality, priorities are the guardrails that keep the car on the road. Without prioritizing, you can spin off without warning.

So how can you prioritize instead of procrastinate? Optimize your workflow! Working smarter can yield a higher return than simply working harder.

Here are five tangible ways to help you be a leader that prioritizes instead of procrastinates.

1. CREATE LISTS.

Get all your tasks on paper—one big brain dump—then create categories and rank them in order of priority. Decide each morning what your top three priorities are, and focus on first accomplishing those three. This makes your priorities the focus over the urgent (which will always pop up in a day).

2. BATCH TASKS.

Make phone calls during your commute to and from work each day. Return emails while listening to that podcast you’ve been meaning to get to. Batching together your easier tasks will optimize the time you have available and lead to more productivity.

3. UTILIZE TECH.

Take advantage of the Do Not Disturb and Focus features on your smartphone to prevent unnecessary distractions. Set timers for things like responding to email and researching information—sometimes knowing there’s a time limit increases productivity. Disable notifications from things like social media and news apps—your focus on tasks at hand is paramount over never-ending headlines of the day.

4. REMEMBER THAT GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF BEST.

When we’re satisfied with the status quo, it can tempt us to procrastinate in areas where we could excel. Having a growth mindset means looking for ways to become the best, not procrastinate by settling into the good.

And most importantly…

5. DELEGATE TO THE TEAM AROUND YOU.

Sometimes the tasks we procrastinate the most are the ones we should be delegating in the first place. What are the things only you can do? Honestly assess your to-do’s, then delegate, delegate, delegate.

Your best work is accomplished when you enjoy what you’re doing personally and professionally. And becoming a prioritizer will help you accomplish those things and make you an example of the kind of leader others will want to be.

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