Welcome to Monday Bliss. On Mondays I like to post an idea for something to do, with regards to your space, to launch your week feeling Bliss instead of Blahs. This is the fourth week in a series that will help you remove the obstacles to getting things done in your space – so you can relax and breathe easy, without them nagging at you.

Do you have trouble getting projects done (or done on time) because you underestimate what they’ll take? Or you put something off thinking you’ve got plenty of time?

When the deadline is looming WAY out there, it may feel like you have forever. It’s “I don’t need to worry about that now” syndrome. This happens often when we have projects to get done before, say, an event at our home that’s scheduled far in advance.

Another of the 6 Reasons for Procrastination is Thinking You Have Time, But it Evaporates – you put the project off saying, I’ll get to that later, we have plenty of time! But then, bam – it’s one or two weeks away and you have SO much to do that you enter stress and overwhelm territory.

How to Overcome It
To overcome the “time evaporating” obstacle, you need to look realistically at what a project (or multiple projects) will take, and schedule out the time. Here’s how to do that:

Determine Realistic Project Scope
Take one project at a time, and flesh out all the steps completing it entails. You can even add an estimated time value to each step. This offers a clear picture of the project’s actual scope. It also helps you see what resources you need to line up to get the job done (e.g. contractors, other professionals or family members recruited to help) – and you can get them penciled in way ahead of time, which they in turn will appreciate, and could save you money in the long run.

Schedule It Out
Create a calendar noting what’s planned every step of the way. This could be representative of one project at a time, or several. Color-coding as a visual for different responsibilities or deadlines can be helpful. Post it in a prominent place so you’ll have a reminder to stay on track.

If, after you see the detailed scope and scheduling challenges a project may entail, and it’s far beyond what you realistically have time for, go to a professional for help. You may find that you can rest easier putting those challenges in someone else’s hands – be it an interior designer, remodeling/building contractor, landscaper, house cleaner or professional organizer.

Overcome Procrastination tips assembled with insights from ICD teleclass instructor Tiffany deSilva.