The reason why you procrastinate 📊

Hey you! Here’s wisdom from author Kevin Kelly for you on this fine Thursday: “Cultivate 12 people who love you, because they are worth more than 12 million people who like you.” This is a great reminder (especially for my fellow people pleasers) that it’s the people closest to you who really matter in life. ✨

How To Custom-Sort Tables in Excel

Want to put “proficient in Excel” on your résumé (and really mean it)? Then you might want to know how to create a customized sorting option. 👀

This comes in handy when you want to sort a list without using alphabetical or numerical order. For example, if you’re organizing by customer IDs, alphanumeric data, or…shirt sizes. 👕

Here’s how to create a custom-sort table so you can organize by shirt size:

Step 1) Highlight the data you want to sort. Then right-click on your data ribbon, where you’ll navigate to the bottom and go to “Sort” > “Custom Sort”

Step 2) In the “Sort by” drop-down menu, select the column you’d like to organize (in our case, that’s “shirt size”). Then under the “Order” drop-down menu, click on “Custom List…” 

Step 3) In the “List entries” box, type each item in the desired order (for us, that’s “XS, S, M, L, XL”). When you’ve completed your list, click “Add” so the list is now in the “Custom lists” box. Then, hit “OK”

Step 4) Hit “OK” one last time and boom! Your custom-sort list is live. 🎬

If you’d like to watch this tip in real-time, you can go to my video right here!

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Why You’re Really Procrastinating

I used to procrastinate a lot. Honestly, I still do sometimes (who doesn’t?). 😅 But I was able to reduce my procrastination tendencies tenfold when I realized the real cause behind my habit of putting things off.

Usually, we lump “procrastination” and “laziness” together. This thought process creates a harmful cycle: We avoid doing something we need to do, label ourselves as “lazy,” feel terrible, and procrastinate even further.

But the cause of your procrastination likely isn’t laziness: It’s fear.

Here’s an example: Back in 2019, a friend invited me to a surf and yoga retreat in Morocco. The only problem? I was super afraid of the ocean (it’s called thalassophobia 🙃 you can look it up).

It took weeks before I said “yes.” I wasn’t procrastinating because I was “lazy,” I was procrastinating because it was an active defense mechanism to avoid my fear of the ocean.

This applies to tons of situations, from launching a business to posting content on Instagram to asking for a raise. We stall because we’re fearful, whether it’s a fear of failure, of being made fun of, or of the sea creatures that live 30,000 feet underwater.

A great way to tackle our procrastination is a thought exercise by Nick Wignall:

This will help you figure out the root of your procrastination so you can begin to flip the script and tackle those limiting beliefs. And in case you’re wondering, I did end up squashing my fears and going surfing—and it was awesome. 🤗

• “Don’t be the best. Be their favorite.” I loved this career advice from creative coach and author Jay Acunzo! 🤩

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• Can’t navigate cells with your arrow keys all of the sudden? Here’s how to fix this in 15 seconds.

• The three steps to manifest your perfect day using the Hugh Jackman method.

• 📣 Here’s an Excel tip on how to use NA() to create clearer financial analysis charts!

• If you loved the quote I shared from Kevin Kelly earlier, you’ll also love his new book, Excellent Advice for Living.

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One of the best things I’ve done so far in 2023? Create a “Kind Words” folder on my desktop. 📝 Whenever I get a nice message, I screenshot it and chuck it in. On those days when I’m not feeling my best, going through those messages boosts my morale. Try it out!

Stay Exceling,

Kat