Procrastination - just gotta let go of the guilt!

Procrastination: the action of delaying or postponing something.

I sit here watching The Last Kingdom for the umpteenth time (because he is Uhtred of Bebbanburg!!), and I just reflected with my hubby on how I should probably be doing something else (to do with the business)...but actually, resting and chilling out is equally important so am I really procrastinating?

I've actually had a really productive day today. As always I set myself with many tasks, going in with the resolve that I knew I wasn't really going to do everything on that list, but I did want to do a lot of it.

Some things were more important than others (like walking the dogs and personal care) so they were done first. Other things were commitments I had made to others so I also felt a sense of obligation to stick to that - plus I also wanted to. So already I've successfully completed activities of achievement, connections and enjoyment. My main goal of the day was to get my 10k steps and I'm not too far off of that either. So all in all I ask myself again am I really procrastinating?

When looking at the remaining things on my to-do list, they're not really pressing tasks. If I don't complete them today then it won't really impact tomorrow. I also booked time off from the business, telling myself previously that I needed to rest and so again I ask myself am I really procrastinating, or just allowing myself the rest time that I had previously pencilled in for myself?!

Our self-narrative holds so much power doesn't it? My answer is continually, yes I am procrastinating if we take it as it's true definition and I'm OK with that! No guilt! I have done so much today and I am proud of that. I've done more than I wrote on my list and even though I have not done all on my list, I'm happy to roll that over until another day and take some time to watch one of my fave shows and I'll listen to some of the book later too, because it's the latest obsession!

I also remind myself that writing a blog was on my list of things to-do today and for some reason it has been something I have been putting off all year... I enjoy writing but there's something so exposing about laying your thoughts out and then I realised again, I am in control. My blogs can take whatever shape I want them to or no shape at all. Writing is not by force, so nor should it be a chore. And I am not procrastinating if I am putting off a task that does not hold any importance other than that to which I give it!

So let go of any guilt held to the negative connotations that come with procrastination as we all procrastinate and procrastination is needed because we've more than likely set ourselves an unrealistic amount of things to do with a limited amount of energy.

Top tips:

• Be kind to yourself - if you wouldn't say it to other people stop saying it to yourself.

• Let go of the narrative telling you that you are lazy or procrastinating.

• Set realistic practical daily goals - if the list looks overwhelming then you've put too much on it!

• Prioritise your tasks and do what needs to be done; the things you want to do can wait until you have the energy and time for it.

• You can't get things done if you have no motivation so rest and recharge - your body and your mind.

• Remind yourself you are in control of your energy input and output so invest it wisely and get a balance of things that bring you a sense of achievement, keep building those connections and allow some time for things you enjoy!