Goals stalled? Always running behind? Stuck in a rut?
Procrastination means "putting it off". Whether it's a career goal, a home project, or something about your daily life, a sustained plateau on a goal can rattle your motivation, challenge your thinking. And that can eventually mean that you're putting off your LIFE, not just a task.
The key is to push through these plateaus to see the finish line. Take a good look, reassess your strategy, ask some questions, make some changes. Not dealing with it, won't make it go away. Stop putting off your life!
What can I do when I find it hard to just get started?
The hardest thing about everyday tasks is getting started on them. It's kind of like pushing a stalled car -- once you get going, everything rolls right along. You can beat procrastination in daily life tasks by setting up systems that help you. Set a time to pay bills (Wed mornings, for example). Then you do it and forget it. Most people don't decide "not to" do something -- they just don't every consciously decide TO do it. Decide. Put life on your schedule.
What can I do when I don't feel qualified to perform the task?
Being afraid that you will fail at something is a sure-fire way to get you to stop before you've started. You can beat procrastination by being honest with yourself about your level of training in that particular task. Don't complain or delay. Simply request help from someone qualified who can help you learn.
What can I do when I'm not sure this is something I really want?
I was having trouble finishing painting my kitchen and I couldn't figure out why. As I started to really think about it, I realized that I didn't really like the color. "Martha Stewart" said I ought to like it, but I just didn't. As soon as I mentally fired Martha and got the color I really wanted, I finished in no time. You can beat procrastination by telling the truth about what you really want out of life. Live as the star of your own life, not as an extra in someone else's.
What can I do when the task seems huge, overwhelming?
Beware of over-exaggeration. While it may seem like it will take lightening years to complete a job, you can control procrastination by using a timer to help you see what you can really accomplish in 30 minutes. I guarantee you'll be shocked. Schedule a specific amount of time that you will spend on it each day, or week -- set the timer. Devote that time to it, and then return next time. You'll move forward without exaggeration or exasperation.
What can I do when there are many things demanding my attention?
When there is too much crammed into 24 hours, often nothing of real value gets done You can control procrastination by setting priorities. Do things that are important to you and your life. Weed out the junk in your life, the same way you pull the weeds in your garden - just because they volunteered to show up doesn't mean you want them there!
Making a task easier often comes with making a choice to adjust your schedule, re-allocate your money, or choosing how to spend your energy. We all know that, like mom taught us, we have to get our work done before we can go out and "play". Put your work on a schedule, keep it realistic (you're only human!), and that makes play time all the more enjoyable. Your happiness depends on it!
Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates specializes in helping people who are ready to create a simpler, less stressful, more joyful and meaningful lifestyle. Visit http://www.reallifecoach.com for information, products and services, and sign up for a free newsletter.
Everyone has a life purpose; a unique and special something... Read More
As I usually do over the Holidays, I watched one... Read More
In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a... Read More
One of our most powerful psychological needs is the craving... Read More
Do you ever have the sense that there has to... Read More
Over the years in America and the west generally, the... Read More
Did you realize that as much as 47% of the... Read More
Who are the most courageous people in the world? Armed... Read More
Writing a 'life script' is like writing a movie script.... Read More
Be careful what you believe because that is what you... Read More
I hear many people discuss how selfishness leads to greed,... Read More
What impact would it have on your professional and personal... Read More
Denial is a coping mechanism commonly used when something happens... Read More
I am not a golfer, unless you count an occasional... Read More
We are all guilty of delaying what needs to be... Read More
Many professionals spend their entire careers working under managers or... Read More
Have you failed to create the life you want, because... Read More
If your business isn't as successful as you envision, what's... Read More
Want to hear about a simple & effective motivation technique?... Read More
Inside of every one of us is the desire to... Read More
How often have we heard ourselves complaining about how unlucky... Read More
What is the biggest mistake you have made about manifesting... Read More
Looking for a way to handle a setback?Edward W. Smith,... Read More
The first of January and September, as well as our... Read More
Self Improvement Tip 4 Don't procrastinate! The more you put... Read More
I look out my window at daybreak as the sunrise... Read More
What a perfect fall Saturday morning, clear sunny blue sky,... Read More
January is almost over.Why do most New Year's Resolutions fail?By... Read More
We all have excuses as to why we can't do... Read More
Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!As many of you may know I have... Read More
No matter how many times you have vowed to change... Read More
-Lack of a specific purpose in life. You can not... Read More
We encounter constant changes throughout our life; it could be... Read More
As a life coach, I often hear people say they... Read More
It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More
Very shortly, in this paragraph, I'm going to share with... Read More
Taking action about our current station in life involves taking... Read More
Why should you bother to spend your valuable time to... Read More
We frantically search for our "lost" keys that are lying... Read More
If a total stranger came up to you and said:... Read More
You've probably heard the phrase, "Idle hands are the devil's... Read More
It can be challenging to think about going to the... Read More
Many professionals have attained a high level of competence in... Read More
Breaking the mold of being a child is difficult. The... Read More
How healthy is your vision of yourself? How does your... Read More
The first of January and September, as well as our... Read More
How many times have you felt truly defeated by the... Read More
My experience tells me there are three stages people go... Read More
As the story goes, there was once a farmer and... Read More
Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery... Read More
You know, whenever you are going to make a major... Read More
It's been said that knowledge is power. While that's true... Read More
Even for a remarkable business owner like you, from time... Read More
The importance of will-power is recognized by most men, yet... Read More
What is the dictionary definition of a procrastinator? It is... Read More
What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?Are you a perfectionist?Do... Read More
Sometimes life becomes so routine, we don't have to think... Read More
For years, many of us heard the phrase "Knowledge is... Read More
I hear many people discuss how selfishness leads to greed,... Read More
Ever begin doing something that you do for a few... Read More
The manifestations of motiveA man is captive within himself. He... Read More
We stood in the kitchen talking. I was discussing my... Read More
Staying motivated at work is easier than you think when... Read More
Need to move ahead and yet find yourself holding back?Edward... Read More
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.... Read More
There are a number of techniques to help you stop... Read More
Motivation |