Cure Procrastination

Procrastinating is not the same as doing nothing. It is engaging in a task that delays getting to another task that is important to complete.
 
Having fun with friends, watching TV, shopping, surfing the Internet, and texting are popular activities that delay many of us from completing important tasks. When these repeatedly take priority over getting important tasks completed, procrastination has reared its ugly head again.
 
Before you can tackle procrastination, you must decide if the neglected task is worth your time. You may not want to go in for a dental exam, for example, but if you recognize that the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomforts, then this is a task clearly worthy of procrastination busting.
 
If, on the other hand, you are procrastinating making a personal phone call to someone with whom you don't want to develop a relationship, then dump this plan. No more procrastination.
 
What can you do about procrastination for tasks you want to get done?
 
There are at least six ways to cure procrastination.

1. Change your flawed thinking to positive, realistic thinking. In my childhood the adults always had a quaint saying for every occasion. For procrastination my favorites are "Time waits for no man." "Strike while the iron is hot." "He who hesitates is lost." or one from Mae West, "He who hesitates is last. "These old sayings still hold meaning. You can't wait until you're in the mood to clean the stove. (Does that ever happen?)  It's the joy of having a clean stove that must propel you forward. Use positive self-talk or whatever gives you a kick to get yourself motivated.
 
2. Set clear goals for yourself. Your goals must be attainable. If not, perhaps they need to be broken into small chunks or revised altogether. With specific tasks work backwards from the due date with a calendar in hand. Be realistic about how much time it will take to get the parts done. Most important in setting your goals is to avoid overloading yourself. Trying to take 18 units, work 40 hours and raise a family is a blueprint for failure or at least heightened stress.
 
3. Prioritize and break up your tasks. Have you ever tried to consume a steak in one bite? Probably not. Neither should you expect to finish a project in one step. Packing well for a trip, for example, takes time and many considerations. Start early and you will remove a major chunk of stress from your travel.
 
4. Organize your work area and tools before you begin. Decluttering may take a little time, but you'll waste precious time and lose your momentum if you have to stop for pen, pencils, paper or your other tools. Besides, being able to put your hands on what you need quickly will boost your mood.
 
5. Use reminders to help you remember important tasks. Refer to your master calendar, but also use post-its, a memo book and other memory aids.
 
6. Reward yourself. When you've successfully completed a task give yourself a treat. This will reinforce your positive self-esteem. Now you'll feel more positive about approaching the next task.

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is an author, coach, speaker, consultant and entrepreneur. She has impacted the lives of students, educators, business owners, leaders and many audiences during her career. Her passion for encouraging people to make choices that lead to their happiness began when she was a junior high inner city English teacher and continued to grow deeper as she worked with university students, her own private tutoring program, and with retailers and business owners. She has written language arts texts, academic articles, curriculum, grant proposals, and motivational guides. Her passion for writing and inspiring others has lead her to create and maintain twelve websites, three blogs and two newsletters.
Her book, Color Your Life Happy, scheduled for Spring 2009 release, promotes making choices that give you the life you want. Get pre-release information at her websiteThe philosophy she lives by is "Nobody becomes somebody without the help of somebody else."
From her blog, she encourages uncovering your inner joy and making choices that lead to the life you want.

Procrastinating is not the same as doing nothing. It is engaging in a task that delays getting to another task that is important to complete.

 
Having fun with friends, watching TV, shopping, surfing the Internet, and texting are popular activities that delay many of us from completing important tasks. When these repeatedly take priority over getting important tasks completed, procrastination has reared its ugly head again.
 
Before you can tackle procrastination, you must decide if the neglected task is worth your time. You may not want to go in for a dental exam, for example, but if you recognize that the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomforts, then this is a task clearly worthy of procrastination busting.
 
If, on the other hand, you are procrastinating making a personal phone call to someone with whom you don't want to develop a relationship, then dump this plan. No more procrastination.
 
What can you do about procrastination for tasks you want to get done?
 
There are at least six ways to cure procrastination.

1. Change your flawed thinking to positive, realistic thinking. In my childhood the adults always had a quaint saying for every occasion. For procrastination my favorites are "Time waits for no man." "Strike while the iron is hot." "He who hesitates is lost." or one from Mae West, "He who hesitates is last. "These old sayings still hold meaning. You can't wait until you're in the mood to clean the stove. (Does that ever happen?)  It's the joy of having a clean stove that must propel you forward. Use positive self-talk or whatever gives you a kick to get yourself motivated.
 
2. Set clear goals for yourself. Your goals must be attainable. If not, perhaps they need to be broken into small chunks or revised altogether. With specific tasks work backwards from the due date with a calendar in hand. Be realistic about how much time it will take to get the parts done. Most important in setting your goals is to avoid overloading yourself. Trying to take 18 units, work 40 hours and raise a family is a blueprint for failure or at least heightened stress.
 
3. Prioritize and break up your tasks. Have you ever tried to consume a steak in one bite? Probably not. Neither should you expect to finish a project in one step. Packing well for a trip, for example, takes time and many considerations. Start early and you will remove a major chunk of stress from your travel.
 
4. Organize your work area and tools before you begin. Decluttering may take a little time, but you'll waste precious time and lose your momentum if you have to stop for pen, pencils, paper or your other tools. Besides, being able to put your hands on what you need quickly will boost your mood.
 
5. Use reminders to help you remember important tasks. Refer to your master calendar, but also use post-its, a memo book and other memory aids.
 
6. Reward yourself. When you've successfully completed a task give yourself a treat. This will reinforce your positive self-esteem. Now you'll feel more positive about approaching the next task.

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is an author, coach, speaker, consultant and entrepreneur. She has impacted the lives of students, educators, business owners, leaders and many audiences during her career. Her passion for encouraging people to make choices that lead to their happiness began when she was a junior high inner city English teacher and continued to grow deeper as she worked with university students, her own private tutoring program, and with retailers and business owners. She has written language arts texts, academic articles, curriculum, grant proposals, and motivational guides. Her passion for writing and inspiring others has lead her to create and maintain twelve websites, three blogs and two newsletters.
Her book, Color Your Life Happy, scheduled for Spring 2009 release, promotes making choices that give you the life you want. Get pre-release information at her websiteThe philosophy she lives by is "Nobody becomes somebody without the help of somebody else."
From her blog, she encourages uncovering your inner joy and making choices that lead to the life you want.