5 Things You’ve Probably Said If You’re A Procrastinating Perfectionist
It's 8:00 PM. You have a major team deliverable tomorrow, and despite 52 offers from your coworkers, you turn them all down and are convinced that you are the only one who can complete the task to your satisfaction.
After cleaning every room in your house, meal prepping for the week, and randomly picking lint out of your sweater, you decide to stay up until 3:00 AM creating the presentation, storyline, and handouts… and it looks amazing. After the presentation, everyone calls you a genius, wonders how you do it, but all you can think about is the sleep you're about to get that night.
On the brink of exhaustion, you swear that you're never going to procrastinate again, but you and I both know you will, because you're a procrastinating perfectionist.
People don't understand us, but we're blessed with a skill-set that can transform into a curse if left unchecked. Rather than get started, we wait and plan and perfect in order to avoid getting started. Even if the end product is ah-mazing, continued procrastination will prevent us from reaching our full potential. Why settle for a B when you can get an A?
Here are 5 phrases you've probably said if you're a procrastinating perfectionist and tips to get back on track.
"It will get done."
If anything, this is the procrastinating perfectionist's go-to catch phrase. The thought of impending deadlines hang over our heads like a dark cloud, and yet here we are, deciding to watch a whole season of House of Cards knowing that we could finish a designated task 3 days in advance if we were on top of our scheduling. Stop it!
Tip: Follow the "one touch rule": As soon as something is assigned to you or designated for a certain day/time, only "touch" it once. Don't start and then stop. Don't push back the deadline. Just force yourself to sit there and complete the task until it's complete and then cross it off the list.
"It's all in my head."
This phrase lets us act like we have actually began working on a task, when in reality, it's a cop out. Unless you truly have written a list or created an outline with actionable steps (or however you prefer to organize your life), you have not made legitimate progress.
Tip: Create detailed schedules/to-do lists and be accountable for the items you place on them. If you know you cannot bake 78 cakes in an hour, do not put it on your to-do list. Setting mini-deadlines can help you accomplish more sophisticated goals, but be realistic and ensure that you are following through.
"The deadline motivates me." or "I was waiting for inspiration."
Similar to the "it's all in my head" excuse, the "I was waiting for inspiration" claim also allows us to be complacent with inactivity. Sometimes you have to force yourself to be productive by creating an environment where you can focus, or refusing to move onto other activities before completing an agenda item.
Tip: At a minimum, research shows that it takes at least 18 days to change a habit, so repetition and forced realignment with more productive goals can help you get back on track.
"It would be easier if I did ____ myself." or "No one does____ like I do."
Refusal to ask for or receive help can guarantee that you will not complete some tasks. Learning to let go and/or relinquish some control is an important life skill. There are ways to contribute your opinion without leading the whole project and having your hands in too many pies can prevent you from having the capacity to focus on projects you truly care about.
Tip: Invest in training others or leaving detailed instructions so others can pick up tasks where you left off. Their interpretation of a project may not be the same, but sometimes the incorporation of fresh perspectives can lead to even better end products.
"It all worked out."
If you're a vegetarian who occasionally eats a burger, are you really a vegetarian? That's not how it works, sis. Just because you feel good about the end product, doesn't mean that the road you took to get there was appropriate.
Tip: Don't pat yourself on the back for unproductive behavior. When you have that "I really should be productive right now" feeling, do. You'll thank yourself for it later.
Want more stories like this? Check out these stories from the xoNecole Business section:
Lydia is a recent Ivy League graduate who is passionate about using her voice to enact change in minority and female communities. Dubbed the "Intern Queen," she has worked 8+ internships in diverse industries, including Wall Street firms and the Obama White House, and is now bringing her career and lifestyle tips to you! Meet Lydia on Instagram @queen_of_anglin and Twitter @its_lit_dia.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Blondes Have More Fun: 7 Celebs Going Lighter This Spring And How You Can Too
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do blondes have more fun?” it could be time to answer the call for change with a new hair color.
As summer quickly approaches, many celebrities are taking the plunge and embracing lighter hair tones, infusing their tresses with blonde tones to match the season's vibrancy.
Whether you’re looking to add a few golden highlights through your mane or go the bold route of platinum, it's essential to understand how to go lighter in the safest way possible. We’re all about preserving the health and integrity of our hair; that’s why we’ve solicited the help of Crystal Arinze, a WellCapped Affiliate hairstylist, to provide you with the best tips and insight to achieve your desired bleach blonde look without compromising your crowning glory.
On how to prepare your hair before bleaching:
“When prepping to bleach hair, a protective barrier such as Vaseline should be applied to the scalp and around the edges of the head to prevent the bleach from touching the scalp/skin, to avoid burning and chemicals entering the pores, avoid washing, specifically shampooing the hair before bleaching. Shampoo strips the hair of its natural oils that act as a protective layer.”
Rihanna
Monica Schipper/WireImage via Getty Images
Zendaya
Marc Piasecki/WireImage via Getty Images
On consulting with your stylist before bleaching your hair:
“Stylists should also ask their clients about their prior history of bleaching their hair for better knowledge of the current state of the hair. Ensuring the state of the hair is moisturized and healthy enough before bleaching is very important. If the hair is weak, dry, or has been incorrectly colored in the past, bleaching is not a good idea. If bleached on already damaged hair, one’s hair could fall out within minutes.
"To achieve a blonde moment without sacrificing the integrity of the hair, clients can opt to wear a wig instead.”
Beyoncé
Serena Williams
Kelly Rowland
On how to avoid common mistakes when bleaching their hair at home:
“Many people do not properly calculate the appropriate amount of time the bleach should be in their hair. Not ensuring the consistency of the bleach is being mixed correctly is also a problem. Lastly, many neglect post-bleaching maintenance and care after bleaching their hair, which may cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and damaged. Anyone who would like to bleach their hair at home should do their due diligence and research step by step for the best results.”
Saweetie
Phillip FaraoneVF24Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Da'Vine Joy Randolph
JC Olivera/WireImage via Getty Images
On the best post-bleaching hair aftercare:
“Biweekly or monthly hydration treatments to ensure the hair stays moisturized. Regular maintenance trims help to remove dead ends and promote growth. Avoiding color long or bleaching again for at least 6-12 months after initial bleaching.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Monica Schipper/WireImage via Getty Images