I recently read about a survey (by the University of Chicago)
which suggested that those who relish challenge are more likely
to live up to 10 years longer than those who spend their lives
inhibited by timidity.
Trying to realise our ambitions, even if we don’t always meet
them, is preferable to not having the courage or motivation to
take the risk. So not making any resolutions because we fear
that we’ll break them is having a defeatist attitude, as we
allow procrastination to become an insidious habit which stops
us from leading more fulfilling lives.
1. Personal values development. Take the time to find out what
you really want in life, what your personal values are. Do
you want more time, more money, better health, greater self
esteem and confidence, more fulfilling relationships, a
different career, set up a business? When we procrastinate
it’s often because what we are planning to do is not really
aligned with what we truly want. We may be scared of our
skills (or perceived lack of) or fear ridicule from others.
2. Make health a priority. Without good health we are less
likely to have the energy and dynamism needed to make
positive changes in our lives and it’s easier (and necessary
if you’re very ill) to procrastinate. So ensure that you
have a nourishing diet, sleep well, exercise and meditate.
Incidentally, it is thought that regular meditation helps
delay the worst effects of the ageing process.
3. Visualise your life without procrastination. See and feel
the benefits in your life if you didn’t procrastinate. What
could you do and achieve? Begin to act as if you’re not a
procrastinator. Write down, draw, imagine your life as a
film. Use affirmations to help you.
4. Banish the Gremlin. That little voice which runs on auto in
your head – that dismisses any idea that you might have. It
says things like “I’m not in the mood” “I don’t have time”
“I can’t do this”. Stop running on auto, replace the
“should’s” “oughts” “have tos” with “want to” “desire”. You
have a choice. Acknowledge your choices and banish the
Gremlin. Again, using affirmations can help you replace the
Gremlin with more positive alternatives.
5. Overcommitment. Saying “yes” to everything – often leaves
you feeling tired and without the energy to focus on what
is most important to you. This leads to procrastination as
projects and tasks are dropped. Identify what is most
important to you and only focus on those areas which will
make the biggest difference to your life. It will enhance
your focus and motivation.
6. Setting personal professional goals. It’s hard to motivate
yourself when you don’t have a good idea of what you want to
accomplish. So when setting goals think about what you want
to achieve in the short term and long term. Techniques for
doing so include the SMART strategy. S = specific M =
measurable A= Action R = Realistic T = Time based. Use goal
setting software to help you in goal planning and setting.
7. Prioritize Your Goals. Develop a plan or schedule to help
you reach your goals. In doing so you will begin to identify
whether some elements need to be included or enhanced or
dropped completely. Also remember to be flexible, revisit
your goals regularly and modify or drop if appropriate. Just
because a goal is written down doesn’t mean that it is set
in stone!
8. Divide and conquer. Once you’ve prioritised your goals,
divide them into smaller chunks. Sometimes we procrastinate
because a project seems really large that the scale of it
overwhelms us and puts us into a temporary form of paralysis
– you don’t know where to start, so you don’t start at all!
Approach each project – especially large ones – on a step by
step basis.
9. Reward yourself. Once you start to complete tasks, reward
yourself by giving yourself something that you want. So
instead of seeing a film before you complete a task, see
it afterwards and make it a reward for you.
10. Just get started. No excuses. Don’t wait until you’re “in
the mood”. The mood never comes! It is a clever camouflage
and a delaying tactic. What you resist persists! Start with
what is easiest, so that you experience immediate success,
which will give you the fuel and motivation to upgrade and
take on larger projects.
Do any of the above and you’ll be well on your way to Kicking
the Procrastination Habit. And if you’re procrastinating over
doing any of the above :.), then remember that life is the
biggest deadline of all!
Julie Plenty is a Personal and Business Coach who coaches self employed creative professionals to live more creative, fulfilled lives and increase the success of their business. To sign up for the Life Design newsletter and register for a special offer on her forthcoming ebook on Kicking the Procrastination Habit! visit: http://www.self-help-personal-development.com
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