How to Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done

Procrastination comes down to two things – poor planning and poor time management. The good news is that both of these skills can be learned and mastered. How many times have you said “I’ve got plenty time to do that, it’s not due until next week” As next week approaches, you scramble around at the last minute and you ultimately suffer the consequences. Even perpetually tardiness qualifies as procrastination. It is a habitual process that leads to needless postponement. It is automatic, and it happens seamlessly time and time again. Procrastination can create barriers in controlling our lives and careers. Like all behaviors, it carries consequences. The effects of procrastination are something that we all have to confront.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A desire for change
• Time to re-organize
• A calendar
• Willing spirit
• Desire to improve your life

1. Only focus on the essential. You may be so overwhelmed with tasks that you don’t know where to begin. Take a few minutes and list your projects and tasks. Look over the list and decide which tasks are essential - which will lead to the most benefit and have the most impact on your life? Put a star next to the essential projects and
   tasks. Now look at the rest, and determine what can be eliminated or delegated. Clear the deck for the essential tasks, so you'll actually have time to do them. And therein lies the key to this step: if you focus on the benefits, instead of the difficulties of a task, you
   will be motivated to get it done. Motivation is the key.
2. Create accountability. If left to our own devices, we will put things off forever, because there is no cost to procrastination. We may feel guilty procrastinating on something important to us, but if we're the only one aware of the procrastination, it doesn't hurt us much. However, most of us hate to look bad in the eyes of others. We want others to think highly of us – it’s human nature. So take advantage of that fact, and leverage it. Here's how: for every essential project and task on your list (see Step 1), assign someone to report to. Email someone and commit to providing them with a completed task by a
   certain date or that you'd like for them to make sure you finish a project by a certain time. The more people you have who are expecting you to complete a project, the more likely you are to ensure that you do it. Create that public accountability, and you'll get it done.
3. Take baby steps. Taking on an overwhelming task or project can stop us in our tracks. Imagine looking up at a mountain and deciding whether you're going to climb it today or if you're going to go to the store to buy some groceries instead. You'll go to the store each and every time. So instead of looking at the mountain, look only at the next signpost
   up the road. When you focus in this manner, it is achievable.
4. Set deadlines. This is where refocusing your approach at time management begins. This is implied in Step 2 above (accountability), but it's so important that I had to list it as a separate step. Without deadlines, we'll never get anything done, even if we're accountable
   to someone else. Deadlines give a sense of urgency that gets us working and moving.
5. Create a reminder system. There is a tremendous amount of technology available to set up reminders – cell phones, email, PDA’s, etc. If you don’t own one of these devices, get one. They are very affordable and helpful while travelling, and they can be carried either in your purse or in your car. The benefits are immeasurable.
6. Have realistic expectations. Do you have unrealistic expectations? If you feel the need to be perfect, you will never get started. If you are painting a room, you will always notice an imperfection. Nothing is perfect. Most things are beautiful in their imperfect state, like a garden. Lower your expectations and be satisfied with the iimplementation. Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Just do it! You can revise, repaint, reread, rewrite, refinish and reconstruct.
7. Keep it interesting. Do you find the project boring? How can you propel yourself into action when you find a project empty and unrewarding? Don’t vent, re-invent! Find a way to stimulate yourself bringing enthusiasm to your work. You have a powerful
   imagination at your disposal. Use your creativity, your sense of humor and your positive thoughts to infuse your task with creativity and fun. Your values and your actions should correspond. If the immediate work at hand isn’t exciting, perhaps the larger picture is. You can always learn new skills to enhance your job.
8. Visualize a positive outcome. Use positive visualization techniques to ensure that you complete your task. See yourself finishing the task at hand successfully. Imagine all the details, even the problems and glitches. Rehearse the scene in your mind often. See yourself working it all out. Then take a bow and hear the resounding applause. Visualize your accomplishment, and by all means, reward yourself upon completion!
9. Small rewards. Rewards - we all love them. On a weekly basis, ask yourself “what have I accomplished this week that is deserving of a special reward?” Pamper yourself. You deserve it.
10. Don’t sweat the small stressors. Make sure to eliminate the small stressors in your life to minimize tension, unpleasantness and distraction. Those small stressors add up. Avoid stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, processed white foods and sugars which will physically stress your body and, therefore, your mind. Get adequate sleep. Don’t sweat the small stuff! If it’s an uncontrollable, release it from your mind.
11. Learn to relax. Whether it’s listening to music or meditating, relaxation is essential in overcoming procrastination. You will encounter obstacles and there will be times when you may want to give up and fall back into your old habits. Find a calm inner place
    within your spirit to meditate and reflect. If we take the time to find that inner calm place, this is the path to the inner peace and self acceptance that we all so desperately need. This means finding peace with our inner and outer selves.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to begin until you are committed to overcoming procrastination
• You will only end up being pushed into a further depressive state if you begin and stop