Avoiding procrastination He who puts off nothing till tomorrow
has done a great deal
Baltasar Gracián, 1601-56 Spanish | |
| Is your procrastination related to a project? or is it a habit? To remedy procrastination: Begin with one, modest project
Answer these basic questions
Keep the answers before you as you mark your progress: What do you want to do? -
What is the final objective, the end result?
It may be obvious, or not -
What are the major steps to get there?
Don't get too detailed: think big -
What have you done so far?
Acknowledge that you are already part of the way,
even if it is through thinking!
The longest journey begins with a first step
Why do you want to do this? -
What is your biggest motivation?
Do not concern yourself if your motivation is negative!
This is honest and a good beginning.
However, if your motivation is negative,
re-phrase and re-work it until it is phrased positively -
What other positive results will flow from achieving your goal?
Identifying these will help you uncover
benefits that you may be avoiding: Dare to dream!
List out what stands in your way -
What is in your power to change? -
What resources outside yourself do you need?
Resources are not all physical (i.e. tools and money),
and include time, people/professionals/elders, even attitude -
What will happen if you don't progress?
It won't hurt to scare yourself a little...
Create a simple "To Do" list
This simple program will help you identify a few items, the reason for doing them, a timeline for getting them done, and then printing this simple list and posting it for reminders. | Develop your plan, list -
Major, realistic steps
A project is easier when it is built in stages;
Start small;
Add detail and complexity as you achieve and grow -
How much time each will take
A schedule helps you keep a progress chart
and reinforce that there are way-stations on your path -
What time of day, week, etc. you dedicate yourself
to work. This helps you
develop a new habit of working,
build a good work environment, and
distance distractions (It is much easier to enjoy your project when distractions are set aside.) -
Rewards you will have at each station
and also what you will deny yourself until you arrive at each station -
Build in time for review
Find a trusted friend, elder, or expert to help you
motivate yourself or monitor progress
Admit to: -
False starts and mistakes as learning experiences
They can be more important than successes,
and give meaning to "experience" -
Distractions and escapes
Do not deny they exist, but deny their temptation -
Emotion
Admit to frustration when things don't seem to be going right
Admit that you have had a problem, but also that you are doing something about it -
Fantasy
See yourself succeeding
Finally, if procrastination is a habit of yours:
Focus on the immediate task and project, and build up from there.
Each journey begins with one step. |
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