Procrastinating in nature

15th February 2024

Procrastination. It used to be my favourite pass-time.

Procrastination is something that affects so many, if not all of us. And perhaps more-so now than ever before as we’re many of us adjusting to longer stints of home-working, home-schooling, generally locking down. Finding the ability to focus when there are so many distractions around, can be such a challenge. Mindfulness is key. A change of scenery and a breath of fresh air, some physical movement – perhaps with your furry friend – can really help clear the head to get us to the point where we’re ready to just do it. And start the task. There are supposedly four types of procrastinator, and I think I am easily all four of them – sometimes all at once!

· The Performer: giving yourself less time to try to create more focus and do the basics of what has to be done. Leaving less time for the perfectionist in you to kick in. Starting is the hardest part. The anticipation of the task is much more tiresome than the task itself for the most part.

· The Self-Deprecator: giving yourself a hard time rather than setting realistic and reasonable expectations for yourself. You’ll tend to criticise your lack of focus and inability to act rather than realising you need to cut yourself some slack and take a step back.

· The Over-Booker: giving yourself far too much to achieve and then making excuses when you can’t live up to your own expectations and deadlines, usually because you can’t say no to tasks you don’t want to do and would rather avoid, using your chaotic life as an excuse.

· The Novelty-Seeker: giving yourself too many challenges and exciting new projects before current ones are complete or generating results. We can often do this when the going gets tough on an earlier project and it becomes more appealing to work on a shiny new and exciting project because the novelty has worn off something we’re on with particularly when the barriers might seem hard to overcome.

Go outdoors for a fresh outlook

I’ve learned some helpful techniques and ways to keep at bay all of my four procrastinator personalities. First things first. If I’m not making progress and see the hours ticking away, I chuck on my walking boots or trainers – and hit the path to the forest or the hills – or any green space I can find. And if all else fails – sleep does the job. A walk or a nap – keeps the procrastinator at bay. I revive my thoughts and head and energy levels, and all of a sudden the task in hand, doesn’t seem so big, or daunting, or complicated after all. And I’m able to break down what needs to be done, into manageable chunks and there it is. Progress. Action. Satisfaction. Three things that lead me to a positive space in my wellbeing.

Techniques to avoid the avoidance

The performer in me has learned to consider only my start date, rather than my deadline, I’ve managed to avoid getting stuck in the anticipation of the task and am far more able to immerse myself in the doing, meaning the completion comes much more effortlessly and without spoiling my free time in the meantime (where previously, my mind couldn’t relax because at the back was the constant niggling thought about what I still had to do)…So always focus on the start-date!

The self-deprecator in me has learned to take an initial view on a deadline and double or even triple it. Fine, it’s not always possible to set our own deadlines, but in fact, we are in charge of our own time. So where it’s possible to allow more time, it’s always worth doing so. There’s just no point in creating a constant spiral of feeling like we’ve failed. When in fact, we set ourselves up for a fall so often. So double or triple your deadline!

The over-booker in me has learned how to be more honest. Not just with myself but with others too. Sometimes we take things on that we don’t really want to. We perhaps agree to carrying out tasks to help others rather than ourselves and at times, we’re simply just too polite to say no. So be honest, be assertive and where you can and your instinct tells you to, then just say no!

The novelty-seeker in me has learned to persevere and enjoy the longer-term rewards that come with seeing things to fruition. The interesting thing is that procrastinating about a new project, actually tests its sticking power. If I delay the start of a new amazing idea, it gives an auto sense check to see if it really is something I’m committed to before I actually make the commitment. So finish what you start before you embark on a new adventure. That’s where the real treasure lies!

It takes a while to master the four techniques. But in the short, medium and long-term, fresh air and being at one with nature will always pay off. So if you do have to procrastinate, then do it in nature. 

 It will undoubtedly pay off and help you move to change!

Carys

Carys Wynn is a holistic coach and change communications consultant