Bible Money Matters

Christian personal finance

Menu
    • About
    • Archives
    • Contact
    • Close
  • Making Money
      • Popular Articles

        • 50 Ways To Make Money: Maximizing, Creating And Increasing Your Income
        • 10 Weird And Unconventional Ways To Make Money
        • Making Money With A Blog (e-Book)
        • 10 Places To Sell Or Trade Your Unused (Or Broken) Electronics
        • Ways To Make Extra Money Series: 20 More Income Generating Ideas From Our Readers
        • Making Side Income Can Help Blunt The Impact Of Becoming A One Income Family
        • Earn Cash Back With Discover it® Credit Card
      • Recent Articles – Making Money

        • Best Sites Like Fiverr To Make Money As A Freelancer
        • 13 Of The Best Independent Contractor Jobs
        • 25 Of The Best Gig Economy Jobs
        • How To Make Money Blogging: Turn A Blog Into A Business
      • Categories

        • Making Money
        • Investing
        • Retirement
        • Jobs & Work LIfe
        • Money
        • Income
    • Close
  • Saving Money
      • Popular Articles

        • 50 Easy Ways To Save Money Every Month
        • 10 Weird And Unconventional Ways To Save Money
        • 10 Practical Ways To Save Money And Increase Your Net Worth
        • How To Save Money On Just About All Of Your Regular Monthly Bills
        • Ways To Watch TV Without Paying An Arm And A Leg For Cable TV
        • Save Money On Your Hospital Bill - Just By Asking
      • Recent Articles – Saving Money

        • How To Save $100k In 7 Practical Steps
        • Stairs App Review: Save And Invest To Earn 4-6% Interest
        • Honey Review: Save Money Automatically When You Shop Online
        • 9 Convincing Reasons Why You Need An Emergency Fund
      • Categories

        • Saving Money
        • Frugality
        • Planning
        • Finance
        • Saving For Retirement
        • Savings Accounts
    • Close
  • Banking
      • Best Rates For 2019

        • Best Credit Cards
        • Best Savings Accounts
        • Best Mortgage Rates
        • Best CD Rates
        • Best Brokerages
        • Free Credit Scores
      • Recent Reviews

        • TradeStation Review: Commission Free Stock And ETF Trades
        • Firstrade Review: Commission Free Trades on Stocks, Crypto, And Options
        • Cadre Real Estate Investing Review: Commercial Real Estate Investing
        • Axos Self Directed Trading Review: Invest, Trade Stocks For Free
      • Categories

        • Bank & Software Reviews
        • Investing
        • Credit
        • Banking
        • Mortgage
        • Insurance
        • Family Budget
    • Close
  • Recommended
  • Video
    • Close

The Just-Do-Something Principle (Or Making Productive Procrastination Work For You)

By Melissa 6 Comments - The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited September 16, 2013.

Share15
Pin3
Tweet24
Share2
44 Shares

We’ve all been there.  It’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon, and you don’t feel like doing any of the work you have to do.  Maybe you walk around and find something to distract you, or maybe you check Facebook for the 5th time in an hour just in case anything new is going on since you were last there.  (As if!)

If you’re a fairly productive person, this moment doesn’t happen to you frequently.

If you’re not quite as productive, this moment may happen over and over again, leaving you with very little accomplished at the end of the day.

My friend, for example, is an accomplished artist.  Her drawings look like photos they’re so lifelike.  I have no doubt that she could make an excellent side income with her talent if it weren’t for one personal problem–she’s a terrible procrastinator.  If she has 8 months to get ready for an upcoming art show, she’ll waste 7 of those months only producing a few portraits.  The last month, she’ll crank out the paintings, but even though she’s now working 110%, she doesn’t have enough time to get everything done.

Sound familiar?

She, and many other people, would benefit from the just-do-something principle.

What Is the Just-Do-Something Principle (Or Productive Procrastination)

Productivity Tips - Just Do SomethingThe basic premise is that when you’re faced with a task you don’t want to do, rather than procrastinate and get nothing done, choose to do something else instead.  At least then you’re getting something done.

Let’s say you’re working full-time and taking a college class online.  You have a big paper due in a few days, but you just don’t feel like doing it.  Instead of mindlessly watching a tv show, just do something else that will help you when you finally do feel like writing the paper.  Maybe instead of writing, you go in the kitchen and cook a few meals.  Now, for the next few days, you won’t have to think about cooking.  Instead, you can work on the paper because you’ve freed up more time by making the meals ahead.

This concept also applies to personal finance.  Perhaps you have debt that you’re trying to pay off, and you want to sell a few things around the house.  You just don’t feel like doing it.  You can instead do something financial that you do feel like doing.  Maybe you balance the checkbook and reconcile your budget with your actual spending.  Maybe you search for some part-time jobs you might pursue to make extra money.  The point is, you’re doing something that needed to be done.

Sometimes A Break IS Needed

Of course, sometimes, what you need is to completely disconnect.  Sometimes you’re working on a big project and the best thing to do is take a break and unwind with a book or movie or take a walk.

I’m not talking about those moments.

I’m talking about the little moments that happen every day when you don’t feel like doing something.  Usually, most people decide to just power through, or they just stop productive activity.  A better choice may be to implement the just-do-something principle.

How To Make Productive Procrastination Work For You

If you’re prone to procrastination, try utilizing productive procrastination.  In advance, you can make a large list of things that need to be done this week.  Include even basic household activities such as paying bills, cooking dinner, and grocery shopping.  Make the list comfortably long.  Then, when you feel the urge to procrastinate, choose something from the list instead of surfing the Internet or watching a rerun of The Breakfast Club on TV.  You’ll find that you accomplish much more using this principle.

What’s your favorite technique for handling procrastination?

Related Posts

  • North Dakota Low Unemployment
    The 10 Toughest Jobs

    Sometimes we work for pleasure. But, more often than not, people work for money. Since working is an exchange of your time, energy, and talent it…

  • What Does It Take To Successfully Work From Home?

    Traditionally working a full time job involved wearing a suit, a commute, and a cubical.  The landscape has changed so drastically, however, that many people…

  • Personal Finance Bible Verse Of The Day: Work

    He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. Proverbs 12:11

Share15
Pin3
Tweet24
Share2
44 Shares
Last Edited: 16th September 2013 The content of biblemoneymatters.com is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Visitors to biblemoneymatters.com should not act upon the content or information without first seeking appropriate professional advice. In accordance with the latest FTC guidelines, we declare that we have a financial relationship with every company mentioned on this site.

This article is about: Jobs And Work Life, Tips

About Melissa

Melissa, a mom to three (ages 15, 10, and 9), blogs at Mom's Plans where she writes about homeschooling, health eating, frugal living, and paying down debt. She works as a freelance writer and virtual assistant.

Comments

    Share Your Thoughts: Cancel reply

  1. Survive The Valley says

    A tool that I use to keep track of my to-dos is Evernote. Great way to keep on top of tasks (they even have checkboxes you can use) that sync on multiple devices.

    Another strategy to keep tasks on track is to make it a habit. Once you make something a habit it becomes hard to break. Usually people talk about bad habits, but it’s just as applicable to establish GOOD habits. For example, I started the habit to flossing right after brushing my teeth 10+ years ago, and now there’s no way I can skip a floss since it’s so ingrained in me.

    Reply
  2. DC @ Young Adult Money says

    I love this concept and utilize it all the time! I have to-do lists every single day for at work and at home (I know, it’s a bit overboard). If there is a task I don’t particularly want to do, it motivates me to get the other tasks done. Eventually I get to the stuff I’m not excited about, but in the process I got a bunch of other stuff done. Definitely an effective tactic.

    Reply
  3. Taynia | The Fiscal Flamingo says

    I am addicted to lists. And it’s because I’m an award winning procrastinator. Well, if there was such a thing. Lists always keep me moving. There is nothing as satisfying as crossing something off a list. Love that sound!

    Reply
  4. mike craig says

    I love this as an alternative action plan to almost everything. Finally, an internet tips that really works!

    Reply
  5. Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says

    I procrastinate by reading other blogs ;) Seriously though, I love it, I could read for hours, but with the amount of time I spend reading and commenting, I barely have enough time to write for myself. It’s a problem.

    Reply
  6. DealForALiving says

    The biggest issue with procrastinating with personal finance is that every extra month, week, and sometimes day costs you real money when you think about interest bearing accounts or opportunity costs. But because people understand the importance of money, maybe even chronic procrastinators can change that karma starting with taking action related to finances.

    Reply
Previous Post: Interview With Author Jeff Rose About His New Book Soldier Of Finance
Next Post: Ooma Review Update: 6 Months Using Ooma As Our Main Home Phone
Discover Investment Platforms

Popular Posts

  • 21 Easy Ways To Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards
  • 10 Best Free Tax Filing Services And Software Online
  • 21 Apps That Pay You Real Money Fast
  • 17 TV Apps And Live TV Streaming Services To Watch TV Free
  • 30 Legit Online Jobs That Pay Well
  • 37 Easy Ways To Get Free Gift Cards
  • How To Get Free Stock
  • 40 Easy Ways To Get Free Money Fast
  • 21 Places To Read Free Books Online
  • 24 Legit Online Jobs
  • 17 Best Work From Home Jobs: A List Of Legit Online Jobs That Pay Well

Recent Posts

  • How To Save $100k In 7 Practical Steps
  • How to Save Money When Remodeling A Home
  • How To Hire A Contractor For Your Remodeling Project
  • Remembering 9/11 Years Later: Where Were You On That Fateful Day?
  • TradeStation Review: Commission Free Stock And ETF Trades
  • Firstrade Review: Commission Free Trades on Stocks, Crypto, And Options
  • Cadre Real Estate Investing Review: Commercial Real Estate Investing
  • Best Sites Like Fiverr To Make Money As A Freelancer
  • Axos Self Directed Trading Review: Invest, Trade Stocks For Free
  • 30 Quotes About Easter And Resurrection: He Is Risen!

Disclaimer

The information contained in BibleMoneyMatters.com is for general information or entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial advice. Please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your specific situation.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, we state that we have a financial relationship with some of the companies mentioned in this website. This may include receiving access to free products and services for product and service reviews and giveaways.

Any references to third party products, rates, or websites are subject to change without notice. We do our best to maintain current information, but due to the rapidly changing environment, some information may have changed since it was published. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

We respect your privacy: Privacy Policy.

Thanks for visiting!

Bible Money Matters - Seen On These Sites and more..
Bible Money Matters is a personal finance, entrepreneurship and investing community. Give more, save more and live more.

Copyright © 2023 · Bible Money Matters | Sitemap | Advertise | Privacy Policy