Tag: Overcoming Procrastination

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This is How I Overcome My Cold Procrastination

Written November 20, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Winter can be challenging for running. The temperature in Nashville has swiftly dropped in the past few days. It’s just over 10 degrees cooler today than yesterday. Since it has been so warm until last week, my body has difficulty adjusting to the new temperature norm.

Since the brain stroke, my body has not been able to regulate the temperature well. Compared to February’s temperature, today’s temperature is not too cold; it’s just noticeably chilly compared to yesterday. The sudden temperature change impacted me in many ways, including my ability to do chores outside and run. 

When I think about these activities, procrastination becomes more tempting. It looks chilly outside, and my weather App also confirms this. While these tasks are essential, I also want to stay inside the warm house. 

So I just put on long sleeves for a run. I don’t think I need my windbreaker or running gloves yet. I act like this on the first step every time. Surprisingly, it works for me. Maybe it has something to do with humans’ very nature of difficulties letting go of something they started to work on. For me, running is something I have invested in for several years. 

My wife didn’t hesitate to get me nice running clothing. She said I was motivated to run the first time she got me a nice pair of running shoes. It motivated me to run longer. So, she made sure I had excellent running equipment. For herself, she made sure that she had running shoes or equipment with cold wind for running, but such equipment was only for her health purposes. She doesn’t care about a shirt or pants unless she starts to run longer distances, which she used to do in her 20s and 30s. 

Anyway, I put on my running clothing and shoes, and all my procrastination temptations went away. I managed to run despite this chilly weather. So, this is my little win against procrastination.

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Organizing Your Tasks is the Key to Creating Flow

Written October 31, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

I have been organizing my schedule. My routine has been disrupted this week due to a blood lab appointment. In addition to the appointment, I also wanted to make apple pies and pumpkin muffins for my wife. For weeks, I have noticed that some schedule changes could impact my daily routine. I want to keep my schedule so that I have accomplished something for the day.  

The best way to increase your satisfaction in your daily routine is to keep it organized and prioritize your tasks. Not all tasks provide me with an equal amount of satisfaction. However, it is still essential to do the tasks, such as going to the lab or my doctor,  that have a due date or must be done. My wife created the task list and put the rate on each task, which she learned in her teens and customized to fit her needs. I would not do the same way she does, but I adjusted my schedule to accomplish something I care about, such as exercise.

I created my tasks around the exercise because that gave me the most satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment for the day. Aside from finishing this blog entry, which I’m working on now.  I’ve completed most of my Friday chores a couple of hours early. After my exercise, I seem to gain more energy.

Procrastination is my biggest problem. Even after my exercise, I have much less energy than my wife. I’ve worked to eliminate the problem but still suffer from the temptation, even with the extra energy I seem to have. Today, I was tempted to pause my progress or put aside the tasks. I noticed those tasks accumulated so quickly in the later days, so I decided to complete everything before relaxing. It was a good decision I made. I created momentum to complete my tasks more quickly. Every time I complete my checklist, I gain more energy. As a result, I will likely have another hour or two until my friends become available to play our regularly scheduled games. 

Organizing and prioritizing my tasks help me sustain adequate energy to complete them. When I complete the tasks that mean a lot to me, I gain much more energy. When you get momentum, you will gain a flow. I could be better. I still struggle with the temptation of procrastination, but I am working toward it.