What do you Need?

One way to deal with procrastination is to bargain with it. When you get stuck, stop and ask yourself, “Self, what do you need?”

Typically, your demands aren’t too outrageous: maybe you need a walk, or a run, or you need to punch something (protip: punching bags are better than walls.) It could be that you need to get some mindless browsing out of your system, in which case you might want to set a timer. If you need a nap, take a nap. If you need coffee, brew some.

Give yourself whatever you need; then, get back to work.

I’m writing this while reclining in a chair because I was getting nowhere at my desk. That may not sound like a big deal, but it’s the difference between getting a post done and studying the walls while fighting the urge to get online.

In other words, be kind to yourself.