In my personal experience, it can be difficult to be productive while both distance learning and social distancing in tandem. The illusion of a purgatory-like free-time can curtail my motivation, but luckily I have begun to develop strategies to fight against my urge to procrastinate while weathering the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
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I start every day by writing a to-do list. Even if I don\u2019t get everything done, it is satisfying to cross tasks off and to go to sleep at night knowing I did something important with my day. I\u2019m not claiming I\u2019m productive every day\u2014I certainly was not during the block break between Block 7 and Block 8\u2014but at worst I can at least pat myself on the back for washing dishes or for calling about a prescription refill. I also write these to-do lists because I realized that the fantasy of a busy schedule keeps me more productive than the illusion of a bottomless vat of free-time, so I recommend recording to-dos to those struggling to self-motivate during this unprecedented era.<\/p>\n
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I try to complete the most unappealing tasks on my to-do list first, which allows me to tackle the most difficult parts of my day head-on when I\u2019m feeling most energetic and refreshed. I wish I could say I always stick to this strategy, but self-discipline during the shelter-in-place era is certainly an aspiration that is difficult to achieve.<\/p>\n
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That being said, procrastination is not always a negative phenomenon. Adam Grant wrote an article titled \u201cWhy I Taught Myself to Procrastinate\u201d for The New York Times<\/em>. Procrastinators are often creative, which supports Grant\u2019s assertion that \u201cprocrastination encourage[s] divergent thinking.\u201d Upon self-reflection, my identity\u2014poet, artist, and, admittedly, procrastinator\u2014also support\u2019s Grant\u2019s theory. I think that procrastination allows me to ruminate on projects. As I ruminate, my mind wanders, and I consequently create more unusual or complex products.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t get me wrong, I am certainly not advocating <\/em>for procrastination. I work hard to satisfy both deadlines and requirements, and I think that\u2019s an important part of being a student and\/or employee. However, I think it\u2019s important to avoid framing procrastination as solely shameful, because, managed wisely, the urge to procrastinate can be a creative tool.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n