Welcome to the 30th issue of 5 Minute Friday from The Backpack CPA! Every Friday I share a short newsletter with tips & resources to help you with your professional & personal growth & development!

Let's start "GROWING" through our human journey instead of just "GOING" through it!

First a few words from a wise person…

“You may delay, but time will not.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Harnessing Productivity Through Procrastination⏱️

We’ve all been there. You have a task that needs to be done, but you just can’t seem to get yourself to start. So, instead of getting to work, you find yourself scrolling through your social media feeds or playing a few rounds of solitaire. In today’s world of remote work and deadlines, our ability to procrastinate can have an impact on our productivity. Let’s take a look at how we can use procrastination as a force for good.

When Does Our Brain Perform Best?
Sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated throughout the entire day, especially if you're not feeling at your peak performance level. That's where productive procrastination comes in! This is the act of engaging in activities that don't require too much energy or mental power (like responding to emails or doing research) when you would rather be focusing on something else (like taking a nap). It's a great way to keep yourself busy without overworking yourself, and it allows you to accomplish tasks without having to exert too much effort.

Also knowing which time of day you perform best is key to maximizing your efficiency, so take a look at your daily routine and see when you feel most awake and focused. You might be surprised by what you find!

Break It Down Into Manageable Chunks
One of the biggest reasons why we procrastinate is because we are overwhelmed by the size and scope of the task in front of us. The key here is not necessarily to make the task easier but rather to break it down into smaller chunks that are more manageable and less intimidating. If you have a big project looming in front of you, try breaking it down into smaller tasks based on priority or importance. Once each individual task has been identified, focus on completing one chunk at a time until the entire project is complete.

Take Breaks
Another great way to use procrastination as a tool for productivity is by taking regular breaks throughout the day. We all need time away from our screens and our work in order to recharge and refocus our efforts. Scheduling regular breaks during your workday will give you an opportunity to step away from your computer and do something else for a while—without feeling guilty about it! Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk outdoors, or even just stretching for five minutes—taking regular breaks will help keep your energy up and keep you motivated throughout the day.

Reward Yourself
Finally, don’t be afraid to reward yourself for completing tasks or projects! It can be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee when a task is finished or scheduling some downtime after finishing up an assignment. By rewarding yourself with small treats along the way, you can keep yourself motivated and engaged with even the most tedious tasks.

Procrastination doesn't have to be seen as an enemy; rather, it can become your secret weapon when used strategically and mindfully. Breaking down daunting tasks into manageable chunks, taking regular breaks throughout the day, and rewarding yourself along the way are just some of the ways that productive procrastination can help boost your productivity levels in both your personal and professional life! So go ahead—give productive procrastination a try today!

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📗💡 Learning/Tools

PQ Reps

PQ (Positive Quotient) Reps are short exercises that help increase your Positive Quotient (PQ) – a measure of mental strength and resilience. Put simply, the more reps you do over time, the more resilient and successful you become. It’s that simple!

This approach to boosting PQ is based on scientific research and evidence-based practices. In Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine, he identifies Saboteurs – negative mental states – that keep us from performing at our highest level and achieving our goals. Through using PQ Reps, we can improve our ability to recognize these Saboteurs when they arise, as well as learn how to transform them into powerful allies.

Here are a few easy ways to start doing your own PQ Reps today!

You do a PQ Rep by shifting your focus to your body and any of your 5 senses for ten seconds. Sight, sound, smell, feel, or taste.
Each PQ rep is 10 seconds - or the equivalent of 3 breaths
Example of a PQ rep:
- Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Hold for 3-5 seconds and slowly release all the air. Do this a few times
- Then take your hands and start touching your face from the top of your forehead and down gently on your eyelids and down your cheeks, ending on the chin. Try to do it with some pressure so you feel all the sensations in your fingertips.
- If you have thoughts or feelings come up just let them go and try to focus on your breathing again.
- Then take two fingers & start to rub them together & try to feel all the ridges in your fingertips. Then take all the fingers of one hand & try to rub them against the fingers & palm of the other hand and try to feel all the sensations & ridges. Just try to pay attention and feel the sensations and don’t worry about any thoughts.
- Try this for 2 minutes, 3 times a day.

PQ Reps are an effective way to boost your mental resilience, giving you the tools necessary to reach success in all areas of life – both professionally and personally. With consistent practice, these reps will help you become more aware of the Saboteurs holding you back while also teaching you how to turn them into powerful allies instead of obstacles standing in your way of growing as an individual. So why wait? Start doing these easy PQ reps today for greater success tomorrow!

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If you want to chat about anything feel free to send me a message or even book a time to chat https://calendly.com/vbcpa/thebackpackcpa

Stay inspired & keep growing 🚀,

Vimal (or Vic)

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Harnessing Productivity Through…