Is it just me, or is having a fairly light workload or small to-do list almost as hard as having an overflowing workload or long to-do list? When there isn’t as much to do, there’s so much more time to do it, so it’s easy to fall into the “I can do it later” trap until the last minute. It’s like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This workload is too much, this one is too little, this one is juuuust right!
How do we avoid the “I have so much time I can do it later” mentality and accidentally procrastinate to the last minute?
When you don’t have much to do, do you still follow the same routine and systems that you use when you have a full workload? If not, what is keeping you from using it if it works?
How do you need to be motivated? Is it different than when you’re busy?
What is it worth to you to stick to a schedule when you don’t have much to do? Is it still important?
However you like to keep track of your daily to-do list, schedule, or routine, is it possible to schedule in all the down time you have? What would or would not work about that?
How do you know when it’s the last minute? What are you telling yourself about how long it takes you to complete a task? How much of a time-buffer between “finishing” and the due date do you need (or like)? How do you know when it’s time to do something?
Are the tasks on your light workload just as important as they would be if you were busy? What’s different?
If the projects aren’t time sensitive, and you have all this time to do them, how do you know when to start? Is it possible to do the project when it’s given just to “get it over with” (or whatever phrase you prefer) so it isn’t hanging over your head? What’s keeping you from doing something now versus doing something later? How do you know when to do something now or later?
How do you remember to do the thing that you’ll do “later”? Is that system working for you? What are the shortcomings of it? What works about it? What do you like about it? How could it be different to work even better?
How much do you need to accomplish in a day to make it feel like it wasn’t a waste? How do you honor and value your time and the time of others? Is that even something important to you? If it’s not, that’s okay. I’m asking for those who it is important. If it’s not important, what about it makes it not important?
Is there guilt (or other negative feelings) creeping in because you’re used to being busy and now you aren’t? If so, where is that coming from? What are you telling yourself about having down time? Is it true or rational?
What will it take to avoid procrastination now that you have all this free time and not a lot to do?
