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Overcoming Procrastination
When we don't want to do something that's unpleasant or difficult, we find less important tasks to do that will keep us "busy" so we have an excuse for why we didn't get around to it. But putting something off does not make it go away, and postponing it often just makes it worse!
10 Tips to Beat Procrastination
Recharge Daily. Procrastination can often be caused (or exacerbated by) a feeling of being drained and listless. Be sure to get enough sleep and rest each day so that you have the necessary ENERGY you need to accomplish your tasks.
Get a Friend Involved. It's harder to procrastinate when another person is involved. If you have a task you aren't looking forward to, invite a friend over to help you out. If you have errands to run, find a buddy who you can run errands with. Just having an ACCOUNTABILITY partner can make all the difference in the world.
Reward Yourself. You're much more likely to complete that boring task if there is a dinner out or a new gift waiting for you when (and only when) the task is complete. We often forget that we respond better to a POSITIVE enticement to get things done. Instead of using a whip, why not try a carrot?
Do Things in Pieces. Procrastination often comes from feelings of OVERWHELM. Break tasks, even small ones, into STEPS so that they are manageable and provide you with a sense of direction.
Use Music. Turn on some fun and UPBEAT music and let it pump you up! 80s music and show-tunes are often great pick-me-ups that will give you needed energy to tackle your tasks.
Don't be Afraid to do Two Things at Once. Don't be afraid to balance routine or MONOTONOUS tasks with something that is more likely to hold your interest. You can pay bills while you watch television, or talk on the phone while cleaning up the house.
Delegate. Do you find yourself procrastinating on chores at home like cleaning and laundry? Or maybe paperwork at the office? Delegate them! Kids, cleaning people, laundry services, administrative assistants and more are all available to take some of those BORING tasks off your list and free up your time for the stuff you'd RATHER be doing.
Prioritize. Perhaps you're procrastinating on a task because it's really NOT that important. Maybe you'd love to re-organize your book shelves, but never get around to it. If it sounds like a good idea but in the end it's really not that important to you, don't let it hang over your head. Just let it go and recognize that you wouldn't have gotten that much value out of completing the job in the first place.
Get in Touch with the End Results. Before you begin a task or project that has high procrastination potential, get in touch with the OUTCOME. When the task if finished, what will that mean to you? What will be better in life as a result?
Just Do It. Don't THINK about it too much, just jump in and get it done! It may take time to break the procrastination habit, so be sure to cut yourself some slack. Remember that even a small amount of PROGRESS may allow you to achieve more than you ever have before!
"You will never find time for anything.
You must make it." -Charles Buxton
Information gathered by Nikki Fingerle using
resource articles on www.onlineorganizing.com
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