Do you find these statements to be true?
-Sometimes I put off things I do not want to do.
-Sometimes I replace my “I don’t want to do” tasks with pleasurable distractions.
-Sometimes I put off what I do not want to do even though I know that doing them is
beneficial to myself or others.
I check all three statements with a resounding, “Yep, that’s me.” I imagine that may be use as well, because you and I have one thing in common- we’re human!
In the last post Why Do We Procrastinate? Is Eating M&Ms the Solution? I wrote about the various reasons that you and I procrastinate. (If you haven't already, check out that blogpost to identify the procrastination tendencies unique to you.)
What feelings go along with procrastination?
There can be a lot of negative feelings associated with why we procrastinate and how we feel when we do so. Negative feelings of fear, guilt, stress, failure, anxiety, doubt, self-worth, and shame to name just a few. (I personally experience internal dialog that does a fine job of heaping guilt on me backed up by stress!)
What feelings do you usually have when you procrastinate?
Can you lessen the times you procrastinate?
Yes! All of us can change, even behavior that has kept us company for a long time. Battling procrastination can be done through small, incremental steps that will stick with you the more you practice them. Here are thirteen suggested techniques from solvingprocrastination.com to help you the next time you are tempted to procrastinate.
13 Procrastination Busters!
· Prioritize tasks based on how important they are.
· Break large and overwhelming tasks into small and actionable pieces.
· Get started on tasks by committing to only work on them for a few minutes.
· Remove distractions from your work environment.
· Identify when you’re most and least productive and schedule your tasks accordingly.
· Set intermediate deadlines for yourself on your way to your final goals.
· Create a daily goal and mark streaks of days on which you’ve successfully achieved it.
· Reward yourself when you successfully implement your plan of action.
· Focus on your goals instead of on the tasks that you have to complete.
· Visualize your future self experiencing the outcomes of your work.
· Count to ten before you indulge the impulse to procrastinate.
· Avoid a perfectionist mindset by accepting that your work will have some flaws.
· Develop a belief in your ability to successfully overcome your procrastination.
Have you used any of these Procrastination Busters?
How did they work for you?
Which Buster would you like to try the next time you are tempted to procrastinate?
Finally, here is a great quote that helps motivate me when I am tempted to procrastinate. I hope that you will find it motivating as well!
“Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.” -Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States
“Why People Procrastinate.” www.solvingprocrastination.com. 2021 Solving Procrastination.
Interested in coaching that will help you lead, achieve, and inspire? Contact Carol now for a complimentary 20-minute session.
Comments