Learn how to overcome secret procrastination traps, such as procrastal learning and saying yes to all meetings. Discover the three habits that contribute to secret procrastination and learn how to overcome them through efficiency and speed.
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Quick takeaways
Avoid procrastal learning by setting boundaries for acquiring knowledge and taking concrete action.
Prioritize meetings by evaluating their significance and communicating openly with organizers to regain control over your schedule.
Deep dives
Beware of Procrastal Learning
Procrastal learning is a secret form of procrastination where we spend too much time acquiring knowledge instead of taking action. It could be going down a rabbit hole of TED Talks, pursuing endless certifications, or constantly seeking more information. While learning is valuable, it should serve a purpose and be followed by concrete steps towards implementation. To combat procrastal learning, set boundaries on your learning and recognize when you have enough information to start taking action.
Say No to Unnecessary Meetings
Attending every meeting can be a productivity drain, especially when not all meetings are essential or strategic. It's crucial to prioritize and make thoughtful decisions about which meetings to attend. Communicate openly with meeting organizers, expressing your top priorities or suggesting someone else from your team who can provide updates. By selectively attending meetings, you can regain control over your schedule and focus on more important tasks. If declining meetings feels unsafe due to company culture, start by discussing with your manager the need to evaluate meeting schedules together.
So many of us are busy at work and the days keep flying by without us ticking projects off the to-do list. Have you wondered where all the time is going, how you’re always so busy, and yet the big things just aren’t getting done?
Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.