16 Nov, 2016
6 Ways to Turn Procrastination into Productivity
Beth Braccio HeringWriter, Freelance Jobs
Nearly all job seekers have the occasional day when they just can’t seem to get moving. But instead of turning to daytime television or a Candy Crush marathon when the going gets tough, consider activities that provide a breather, turn procrastination into productivity, and offer the possibility of actually helping your job situation.
Here are six ways to turn procrastination into productivity:
1. Try exercise.
All those hours in front of the computer may be taking a toll on your body. A brisk walk, a yoga DVD, or an hour at the gym may boost energy and eliminate those neck and back aches that make sitting still so difficult.
2. Organize your space.
Clutter inhibits focus, so clean up your workspace. You’ll spend less time hunting for things when you do return to job search activities, and the tidiness itself may lure you to sit down and stay a while.
3. Get social.
Connections remain a primary way of finding positions, yet job seekers often overlook networking in favor of solitary activities such as searching job boards. Loneliness might be at the root of your procrastination, so seek opportunities to be around others.
Invite a former coworker to lunch. Research meet-up groups of interest in your region. Explore community service opportunities—employers love to see volunteer work on a resume, and you’ll make new acquaintances.
4. Indulge your inner gamer.
Check out Habitica, a fun app that rewards productive behavior (such as sending out a certain number of resumes) and issues consequences for procrastination.
Join a community of fellow job seekers for extra support and accountability.
5. Make an inspiration board.
Use Pinterest or a good old-fashioned bulletin board to produce a visual reminder of your dreams. Fill it with inspiring quotes, reminders of why you do the work you do, people you admire, things you’d like to buy … anything goes!
Not only can the act of creating it help you focus, but also you’ll have something tangible to turn to on other days when motivation slumps.
6. Take the afternoon off.
While it initially may sound counterproductive, a good break may be what you need to return to your hunt with new vigor. Take in a matinee, explore a museum, or see what’s new at your local library.
“Allow yourself to have fun,” says productivity expert Mitzi Weinman, author of It’s About Time! Transforming Chaos into Calm, A to Z. “A person can’t and shouldn’t spend entire days on job searches.”