How to Stop Procrastinating and Relax

Putting things off is a misunderstood phenomenon. We don't procrastinate because we don't care enough. We procrastinate because we care too much. Stop procrastinating and relax!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A timer
• paper
• pencil

1. Think of one thing you could do right now that would help you feel better about reaching your goal. Don't worry if there are many things you could do. Just choose one thing. Write it down.

2. Smile. Breathe.

3. What materials do you need to do this one thing in the easiest way possible? List the materials on your paper. Gather your materials. You will relax and stop procrastinating.

4. Breathe. Do some shoulder rolls. Relax. Smile a little just for yourself.

5. Set your timer for 10 minutes. Start the timer and do your work for just these 10 minutes. (You can do anything for just 10 minutes!)

6. You are making progress. You are doing something. Set your timer and take a break for five minutes. Go outside and breathe deeply. You have already begun to stop procrastinating.

7. Set your timer for 15 minutes. Start the task again. Give yourself some warm fuzzies for doing something.

8. Continue the process of working on your goal for small chunks of time with breaks. Relax. Be focused and calm, and do this one thing. Bask in the knowledge that you are successful. You set a goal and you met it.

Tips & Warnings

• Be kind to yourself. Encourage yourself as you would encourage others. If there is a voice in your head berating you and telling you you are not working hard enough, ask yourself if you would say those things to another person. If not, then don't say those things to yourself!
• It is better to do something rather than nothing.
• Good enough is O.K. There's no such thing as perfect.
• Give yourself credit. You are learning to relax and stop procrastinating.

Resources

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[Jolocol]

on 9/12/2009 Procrastinating, for any reason, is bad habit to get into. Good advice for getting over it and getting moving. Good article!

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 6/25/2009 Great ideas to get something (rather than nothing) done. I love the little rewards!

[dlcass]

on 6/25/2009 Ha, I have a house to clean for our big graduation weekend party. I've been putting it off all week. Thanks for your article. I think I can tackle the job now.

[poshadornment]

on 6/24/2009 good ideas Joan!

[kaseysviewblog]

on 6/24/2009 Thanks for the tips! I'm going to give this a try next time I start procrastinating.