T H E F A F F
Frazzled to Fulfilled
A Snippet from the Chapter, “The Power of the FAFF: The Fabulous Art of Feeling Fulfilled.”
Today’s To-’Done’ List
✔ Make the magnanimous ‘to-do’ list
✔ Let the mind wander
✔ (Joyfully) stroll through the house naked as a jaybird
✔ Reorganize spatulas
✔ Rearrange fridge magnets
✔ Eat (multi-grain) Cheerios from the box while gazing out the dirty windows
✔ Search for the Windex (finally find it)
✔ Clean two dirty windows with gusto (while listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’)
✔ Lose interest
✔ Feel overly underwhelmed and unproductively over it
✔ Get dressed
✔ Check off nothing on the magnanimous ‘to-do’ list
“Don’t Mess With My Mojo: A Handbook for Sparking a Sassy Morning.”
I crushed that list! (It was whipped up when I was feeling underwhelmed and needing a reminder of what I'd actually achieved.) I love to ace a good ‘To-done’ list—but I've also aced the art of avoidance. Yikes!
Ever felt like you're spinning your wheels, achieving diddly-squat? Welcome to The FAFF—The 'Frustrating Art of Fussing and Flapping'. A ‘faff’, in case you’re giving a skeptical brow lift, is an affectionate way the Brits, Aussies, and Kiwis describe procrastination. I’ve spent much of my adult life perfecting the FAFF. It brings me huge joy, despite achieving so little. However, I've taken that seemingly unproductive faffing and given it a whole new spin, transforming it into a fun-loving, productive daily ritual that can add a spark to your day—a concept I dive into further in my book, "Don't Mess With My Mojo." We can all do with a little more spark, right?!
Do you ever have outbreaks of procrastinitis?
Think of a small, niggly you've been putting off or have only partially completed. Why the resistance? What's the hold-up?
Feeling unmotivated?
Short on time?
Low on energy?
Distracted by your surroundings?
Feeling overwhelmed?
Dealing with anxiety?
Or, is it something else?
Figuring out what's tripping you up offers a clue about what's holding you back. Understanding your faffing approach can give you a peek into how you handle tasks, helping you boost your productivity. Give these questions a quick think-over and choose the one that hits home to you.
What's Your Faffing Style?
How do you tackle daunting tasks? a) Dive right in b) Leave it for the eleventh hour c) Eye them up with a chilled-out vibe
How do you prioritize your to-do list? a) Urgent stuff first! b) Delay, then decide c) Tackle tasks as they come
What’s your workspace vibe? a) Neat freak zone b) Creatively cluttered c) Zen-like tranquility
How do you handle distractions? a) Laser-focused, baby! b) Easily swayed by shiny things c) They're moments to let go and relax.
How do you feel after checking off a task? a) Energized and badass b) Phew, glad that's over! c) Grounded and accomplished
Tally up your responses to see which faffing style best matches your method for getting the sweet stuff done!
Mostly A's: "The Go-Getter." You dive right into tasks without overthinking them. You're all about getting things done and love that feeling of accomplishment when you check something off your to-do list.
Mostly B's: "The Time Flirt" You're the master of leaving things until the last minute but don't worry, you know how to get things done when push comes to shove.
Mostly C's: “The Zen-Master.” When it comes to faffing, turning distractions into moments of mindfulness and tackling tasks with a calm and methodical approach is your jam.
A mix of results: “The Multi-Mooder.” You’re adaptable and ever-changing, your mood determines your mode.
Turn mundane tasks into meaningful rituals
We can tackle those pesky little chores we always procrastinate on by flipping them into moments of self-care that genuinely lift our spirits. By transforming these mundane tasks into meaningful rituals, we can sprinkle our day with achievements and pockets of happiness. And, when you embrace this shift, you will discover the "Fabulous Art of Feeling Fulfilled!”
Three Simple Steps to Get Started
1. Choose one, doable task you know you can breeze through in five minutes or less.
2. Set your phone timer to five minutes or cue up a favorite tune, challenging yourself to wrap up the task before the music fades out (or your timer ends). Need some inspiration for motivating tracks? Check out our Mojo Mix blog.
3. Make faffing a morning ritual by dedicating five minutes to complete a niggly task with focus and intention.
When we ritualize the Focused Faff, we're not just killing time – we're adding a sprinkle of mojo to our day and injecting meaning into those little moments. It's a simple move that brings pockets of joy, and hey, who's to say you won't find yourself happily strolling through the house, as naked as a jaybird?
Discover how to turn faffing moments into productivity powerhouses, and infuse your day with joy. Snap up your copy of MOJO, today.