Being able to put first things first is a habit of integrity and execution that should be practiced during moments when it is critical and will be a deciding factor of how meaningful that time will be used. According to Vik Nithy, a 20 year old student, procrastination is a personal struggle in our brains, and it is how we deal with it that will eliminate this none progressive quality. His talk not only explains why we procrastinate but how we can resolve it, including "to plan goals, plan time, plan resources, plan processes, plan for distractions, and plan for failure."
I have been working on this third habit for awhile now. Doing the "little things" as a reward for tacking the "bigger things." Instead of being late all the time, I'm right on time; however, being early is my goal. I generally set deadlines closer than they actually are to psych myself out. Most importantly, I try not to overthink nor stress out, otherwise it will most likely lead to procrastination (and now I can understand why from Nithy). Sometimes, I still look for the "zone" or the "conditions" that I decide are favorable to start the important tasks. Fortunately, the library and Starbucks have made it easier to focus and not have that as an excuse; I work better when there are other busy bodies around as I am easily influenced by their productivity. I believe I've made progress and intend to continue working on the various ways to stay happy with how I use my time. Another thing I could work on is the considerations of others involved with my decisions. I would not want to let anyone down, but I would also not want to sacrifice myself if getting help is an option.
Working with others and trusting their efforts is also making good use of resources. Through collaborations, through team or group efforts, tasks could get done more effectively and more efficiently. Hopefully, through working with others such as my colleagues, we all will be able to plan better and ensure the important tasks are completed first.
Nithy, Vik. (2012, March 13). Why we procrastinate by Vik Nithy @ TEDxYouth@TheScotsCollege. TEDx Talks. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD440CY2Vs0