On Saturday I spent my day working behind the scenes here at ForTheLose.org. I did many subtle things like managing various plugins and other not-so-subtle things like getting the site listed in the BuySellAds marketplace. I also began work on a brand new WordPress theme design.
The thing is, compared to the countless number of other times I began working on a new theme design, this time was somehow different. I didn't feel the urge to do stupid time-wasting things like playing Left 4 Dead or just laze around the internet, I just hopped right in with a fresh idea and didn't stop until I practically fell asleep at the keyboard. The next day I awoke, hopped right back to work, and had the entire design completed in Photoshop within an hour . I cut the images and prepped the workstation folder and that's where I am now, about 24 hours later.
I began thinking, how is it that I completed a process that normally takes me up to a week in such a short period of time? The answer was simple. I didn't give myself time to procrastinate.
The "Just Do It" Tip
We all know that feeling. You procrastinate (often for no good reason) and just can't get any work done. That feeling plain ol' sucks. Not only does it make you feel crappy, but specifically if you're working on a web design or other online project, you're also probably losing out on money. Which makes you feel even more crappy.
It's a giant loop of crappy crap feelings, really.
What I discovered on Saturday will hopefully change the way I work nowadays. Whenever you get the feeling that you just don't want to work on a certain project right now, don't give in. In my case, I opened up Photoshop and broke the design process down into steps. I just set goal after goal after goal.
For example, once I was done with the header area, I decided I would just get the sidebar area designed before I took a small break. But once I was done with the sidebar, I set a new goal. In this case, it was to move on to the design of a single post, and then I'd take my break. Eventually I had the whole design done before I ever even took one break.
I don't want you guys to get the idea that I'm trying to tell yourself to work yourself to the bone and never take a breather. Sure I stopped for a minute or two here and there when I saw an interesting tweet (or something like that).
The point I'm trying to get across is that to get anything done, you have to get started first. I found that once you get your work started for the day, it's very easy to keep going. It's as if you've built up some good momentum.
So right now, if you have something your procrastinating with, just get started right now. Open up whatever program needs to be opened, open whichever file is necessary, and just go. Trust me, it's not as bad as it seems.
(Also +10 cool points to whoever spotted the Easter Egg in this post's image.)
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Post Tags: procrastination, tips, Web Design
What, the thing that looks like the Nike Swoosh?
The thing I dislike about this post, is that most people probably figure this out sooner or later. They know that they're gonna have to do the work eventually, so they might as well do it know before they lose all their money and become a hobo.
But it's nice that you're helping the procrastinators along, instead of letting them grow some balls and do it themselves.