We’ve all been there. Knowing what we should be doing and not doing it. Knowing what we want to do and still…not…doing…it!
Instead we are daydreaming, off in our own little universe without a care in the world. We like it there, it’s safe and comforting.
Procrastination…it’s a momentum killer and a dream stealer. It lulls us all into a false sense of “time security.” The idea that we have all the time in the world to do whatever needs to be done. The fact is, we all have the same amount of time…24 hours (1,400 minutes or 86,400 seconds) in a day and not a second more. Scientist haven’t developed a way to give us more time and until they do, we must learn how to use the time we have to make a difference in the world we live.
Here are four simple steps to put procrastination back where it belongs and get you, me, us where we belong which is making positive movement towards the realization of our goals and dreams.
1. Determine where you want to end up…Keep it BIG!
One of the main ways procrastination creeps into our lives is that we get too bogged down in the big picture details. We have a goal or dream and then we try to figure out each step we need to take to get there. STOP! Don’t worry about all the little steps need to get there, instead focus on the what the end goal looks like. Visualize what life will be when you arrive and have faith that things will unfold in due time when you need them.
2. Prepare for the next day the night before.
I usually get up in the morning energized and ready to face the day…then I get to my office. What do I do first? Maybe I’ll check my email…no, let me wrap up this project real quick…wait, I need to return a call I received. What actually happens is I decide to clean up my office and nothing of real importance gets done. One way to not let this type of procrastination set in is to, “Prepare for the next day the night before”. Write down a list of actionable items that you want to finish tomorrow that will help you move closer to your goals. By preparing for the next day the night before you are setting yourself up for a dose of daily success!
3. Start with one or two small tasks
This may fly in the face of traditional wisdom, but I believe that we all like to see success early and often. It gives us the motivation to keep going and keep pushing on towards the end. Starting with one or two small tasks each day will help build up our confidence and provide the extra gumption to take on a larger task. Another benefit is it allows those who aren’t morning people to shake out the cobwebs or realize the effects of a cup of coffee before moving on to a bigger, more complex task. Think of it like a snowball rolling down a hill…at first it may not seem like much of a threat, but as it continues to roll and pick up steam and snow the more power it generates. Tasks are like a snowball, get a couple of quick wins and some success under your belt every morning then watch out world! Nothing is going to stop you now!
4. Stop starting and start finishing
Author/Speaker David Allen has said,
”Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do.
It comes from not finishing what they’ve started.”
Often times we feel overwhelmed with what we need to do. We feel that we have too much to do in to short of time which leads to prolonged periods of procrastination. Instead of focusing on everything that needs to get done, focus on one thing at a time and knock it out! Finish it! Get it off your plate and move on! Having something 99% finished ultimately means it is 100% unfinished! Stop starting and start finishing and take another step towards achieving your goals!
Procrastination can be a momentum killer and a dream stealer but only if you let it. Take the steps to not allow it to happen, and if you feel procrastination sneaking up on you, take BOLD action and keep moving forward!
How have you battled procrastination in the past? Leave a reply in the comment section below.