I have mastered the art of turning a five-minute task into a five-hour ordeal.

And I can’t say I’m proud of this fact.

You know when a sneaky little habit convinces you that cleaning the fridge is more urgent than finishing your work?

Or how about texting a friend, washing last night’s dirty pan sitting in the sink, or (gasp) scrolling 5 more minutes on social media.

Some common distractions that detract from work at hand are really full-fledged procrastination with a capital “P.”

It’s not like I choose to delay work, it just seems to happen.

It can really creep up on someone, right?

Procrastination steals time and energy. It’s a like a pesky little gremlin that sabotages the best intentions.

What if I told you, procrastination can be productive? Say what now?

You can make it work for you!

Listen in as I explain in today’s episode.

Losing Precious Time is Not an Option for Physician Moms

Procrastination is this unintended drift that can sometimes be harmful.

Each diversion like a shopping trip here, a Netflix day there, seems harmless enough but draws a person away from the important task at hand.

People gradually veer towards a million other things without ever consciously deciding not to work.

Procrastination can lead to many common ills

. Delaying tasks leads to increased stress and anxiety.

There is a predictable decrease in productivity by impacting work output and efficiency.

The quality of work suffers too if rushing to complete tasks at the last minute.

There can also be a negative impact on relationships. If I had a dime for every married couple that had one partner who is always late to get out of the house for a party or other couples’ event!

These all sound pretty rotten, right?

I would like to offer a counterargument. Lean into procrastination.

Procrastination can be a productive tool.

The Art of Productive Procrastination: A Doctor’s Perspective

Many common time management techniques pop up when people discuss exasperation with not staying on track. These methods are powerful and do work, but I would argue are not always the answer.

Some popular items include:

• Tackle the most important items first.

• “Eat the Frog” technique is popular, in fact there was an entire book written on this. Essentially, the idea is to tackle the most challenging task first. All the subsequent tasks will get a little easier.

• “Deep Work” is another mode of working on one important item, but with extensive care to create a focus zone.

• I do love to tackle my most challenging task first thing in the morning mostly because my brain is firing on all cylinders after my morning coffee!

• Commit small chunks of time.

• The “Two-Minute Rule” and the “5-Minute Rule” are self-explanatory. Small amounts of time are less intimidating or stressful.

• With the 2- Minute rule, if a task can be completed in two minutes or less, do it immediately.

• With the 5-Minute Rule, commit to working on a task for just 5 minutes. Often, once you start, you’ll find yourself continuing.

• These small acts of productivity can help you gain momentum and reduce the number of tasks on your to-do list.

• The “Pomodoro Technique” is another way to chunk time into longer segments, like 25 minutes, and intersperse with short breaks. This can boost productivity and help prevent burnout.

• Lastly, “Timeboxing” allocates specific time blocks for different tasks. This can help you stay focused and avoid distractions.

These are all great time management tools that help beat procrastination.

Now, I want to challenge you to lean in to procrastination. Instead of fighting it, embrace it. At first this may seem counterintuitive, right?

Why would anyone want to spend more time procrastinating when I just said that leads to stress, anxiety and mistakes?

While procrastination often gets a bad rap, it can actually be a useful tool when harnessed correctly. Sometimes, taking a break or allowing our minds to wander can lead to creative breakthroughs. Our brains need time to process information and form new connections.

By stepping away from a problem, you can gain a fresh perspective and approach it with renewed energy.

Giving ourselves permission to procrastinate, we can return to our tasks with renewed energy and fresh perspectives. However, it’s important to strike a balance and not let procrastination spiral out of control.

There are several ways to lean in to procrastination:

• Procrastinate with Purpose:

• Set aside specific time for “procrastination.” During this time, allow yourself to indulge in distractions like watching a favorite show or browsing social media. This can help you recharge and come back to your work with renewed energy.

• Mindful Procrastination:

• Engage in Mindful Activities: Practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or yoga to calm your mind.

• Do a Mindless Task: Engage in a simple, mindless task like cleaning or organizing.

• These can help clear your head, reduce stress and make you more productive.

• Use short periods of time and don’t forget to set a reminder to return to the main task.

• Creative Procrastination:

• Use procrastination as a chance to take a break and spark creativity.

• You can explore a hobby. Spend time on something you enjoy, like painting, writing, or playing an instrument.

• You can daydream. Just allow your mind to wander and let your imagination run wild.

• One of my favorites is to learn something new. For example, take an online course, read a book, or listen to a podcast. Moments to grow and develop new skills.

• This can help you approach your work with a fresh perspective.

• Embrace the Inefficiency:

• Sometimes, the most efficient way to get things done is to take a less efficient route. Allow yourself to meander and explore different approaches to a problem. This can lead to unexpected insights and creative solutions.

Empower Yourself as a Physician Mom

So, let’s reframe our perspective on procrastination.  Instead of viewing it as a gremlin stealing time, consider it as a potential tool. By strategically leaning into procrastination, we can unlock a surprising benefit:  increased creativity and productivity.

Remember:

Take Breaks: Dedicate specific times for “procrastination” activities like hobbies or mindless tasks. This can help you recharge and return to your work with renewed focus.

Embrace the Unexpected: Sometimes, allowing your mind to wander can lead to unexpected insights and innovative solutions.

Find Balance: The key, however, is to find a balance. While some procrastination can be beneficial, don’t let it completely derail your schedule.

Physician moms wear many hats and juggle countless tasks. By understanding and even harnessing procrastination, they can empower themselves to work smarter, not harder, and achieve more with greater ease.

Remember, the key is to use procrastination strategically. By understanding your procrastination triggers and employing these techniques, you can turn procrastination into a productive tool.

Don’t forget to join me next week for another dose of support and inspiration. Until then, take care of yourselves, and take care of those who matter most.

It’s Time to Take Control and Thrive!