Overcoming The Beast Of Procrastination Once And For All
Overcome Procrastination: A Practical Guide to Beating Procrastination
If you actually follow some of the tips outlined below you will soon get things done.
Are You Bogged Down By Detail?
It's time to step back and take a look at the big picture. What exactly are you trying to do? Sometimes we get so caught up in the detail that we lose sight of where we are going.
Are You Overwhelmed?
If the task seems overwhelming - break it down into small do-able steps. Identify natural milestones along the way. If you want to lose 20lbs - aim for 1lb each week. If you want a tidy, organised desk - tackle it one drawer at a time.
If You Can't Decide What To Do
Do something - anything will do - the first thing that comes into your head. You will soon know whether you have made a good decision - you will know whether it's the right decision for you.
Give yourself permission to change your mind if it becomes obvious you are headed in the wrong direction. Doing something really is better than doing nothing - it will get you started.
Do You Lack Confidence?
Is your lack of skill real or only imagined? If it's in your imagination - acknowledge your fear and deal with it. Fears shout the loudest when they feel they are not being heard. Recognize your fear and create a plan to deal with it - the fear will soon lose its power.
If you need further skills - take steps to get them - ask for help. Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone.
Have You Got Enough Time?
It isn't always easy to find large uninterrupted periods of time. Try doing things in 15 minute chunks. You will be surprised how much you can do in 15 minutes - and it will get you started.
Are There Too Many Distractions?
You could decide not to answer the door or the phone for an hour. Take control and give yourself the gift of uninterrupted time.
Have You Got Too Many Things To Do?
If you genuinely have too much to do, say so - either to yourself, your boss, or your family, prioritize, enlist help and delegate.
Ask, "What is the most important thing to do right now?" Focus on that. Many 'urgent' things are not as important as people make out.
Is It An Unpleasant Task?
The longer you wait, the greater the chance it will go away or someone else will do it. By procrastinating you are getting a reward!
Do you really need to do it? or Could it be done less often?
Could you trade with someone or buy in help? If you really do need to do it - do it sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more energy you will spend thinking about it. It's much better to spend that energy actually doing the task and experience the reward of finishing it.
Finally, When you find yourself procrastinating, ask yourself what's so bad about what needs to be done? The anticipation is usually worse than simply doing it. Try allocating 15 minutes to doing the job and see where it takes you.
One thing's for sure - you won't be procrastinating any more.
"The hardest work in the world is that which should have been done yesterday." - Muriel Strode
Procrastination drains your energy - it truly is the thief of time. Plug the drain and begin what you have been putting off - you will feel better for doing it.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." -- Mark Twain
Which tip will you use right away? Now, get started.
By Lynne Lee
Visit http://www.beyourownlifecoachnow.co.uk/ for more tips and tools to help you coach yourself. Subscribe to my blog and free newsletter and I'll send you an article with keys to help you take control of your life.
Lynne Lee is a life coach and author working in the UK.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynne_Lee
If you actually follow some of the tips outlined below you will soon get things done.
Are You Bogged Down By Detail?
It's time to step back and take a look at the big picture. What exactly are you trying to do? Sometimes we get so caught up in the detail that we lose sight of where we are going.
Are You Overwhelmed?
If the task seems overwhelming - break it down into small do-able steps. Identify natural milestones along the way. If you want to lose 20lbs - aim for 1lb each week. If you want a tidy, organised desk - tackle it one drawer at a time.
If You Can't Decide What To Do
Do something - anything will do - the first thing that comes into your head. You will soon know whether you have made a good decision - you will know whether it's the right decision for you.
Give yourself permission to change your mind if it becomes obvious you are headed in the wrong direction. Doing something really is better than doing nothing - it will get you started.
Do You Lack Confidence?
Is your lack of skill real or only imagined? If it's in your imagination - acknowledge your fear and deal with it. Fears shout the loudest when they feel they are not being heard. Recognize your fear and create a plan to deal with it - the fear will soon lose its power.
If you need further skills - take steps to get them - ask for help. Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone.
Have You Got Enough Time?
It isn't always easy to find large uninterrupted periods of time. Try doing things in 15 minute chunks. You will be surprised how much you can do in 15 minutes - and it will get you started.
Are There Too Many Distractions?
You could decide not to answer the door or the phone for an hour. Take control and give yourself the gift of uninterrupted time.
Have You Got Too Many Things To Do?
If you genuinely have too much to do, say so - either to yourself, your boss, or your family, prioritize, enlist help and delegate.
Ask, "What is the most important thing to do right now?" Focus on that. Many 'urgent' things are not as important as people make out.
Is It An Unpleasant Task?
The longer you wait, the greater the chance it will go away or someone else will do it. By procrastinating you are getting a reward!
Do you really need to do it? or Could it be done less often?
Could you trade with someone or buy in help? If you really do need to do it - do it sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more energy you will spend thinking about it. It's much better to spend that energy actually doing the task and experience the reward of finishing it.
Finally, When you find yourself procrastinating, ask yourself what's so bad about what needs to be done? The anticipation is usually worse than simply doing it. Try allocating 15 minutes to doing the job and see where it takes you.
One thing's for sure - you won't be procrastinating any more.
"The hardest work in the world is that which should have been done yesterday." - Muriel Strode
Procrastination drains your energy - it truly is the thief of time. Plug the drain and begin what you have been putting off - you will feel better for doing it.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." -- Mark Twain
Which tip will you use right away? Now, get started.
By Lynne Lee
Visit http://www.beyourownlifecoachnow.co.uk/ for more tips and tools to help you coach yourself. Subscribe to my blog and free newsletter and I'll send you an article with keys to help you take control of your life.
Lynne Lee is a life coach and author working in the UK.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynne_Lee
Labels: general, power habits, procrastination, self discipline, self talk, time management
posted by Al Smith at 9:19 AM
2 Comments:
this is just full of information. it is truly important to understand what is getting in your way so you can address it.
Information is a good starting point.
You're right, it does help to understand what's getting in the way. That wasn't the purpose of this article. Some people just need a nudge - that's all that was intended - others benefit from coaching or counselling - that's where people like us figure.
Discover what kind of procrastinator you are by following this link.
Regards
Lynne
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