Some Techniques To Beat Procrastination

Do you procrastinate? We all procrastinate from time to time.

In fact, most of us have what Chalene Johnson (American Entrepreneur) refers to as "destination procrastination," which is the place you go or the tasks you resort to in order to distract yourself from what you really need to be doing.

What really seems to work, though, is that what you really need to be doing is:

Do it now!

This seems obvious, and it’s not that we don’t know that we should do things now. The problem is that we don’t know how.

Here are some techniques to get started and beat procrastination:

Set Aside Blocks Of Time To Do Things

Just like you schedule time to go to business meetings, exercise, etc., the same principle applies to other things you might procrastinate. Pick an hour a day to get things done.

If It Comes To Mind, Then Do It

Scheduling time to do things is important. But if something comes to mind randomly, do it when you think of it (assuming that you have time). For example, if you’re sitting down reading a book or watching a show and you’re reminded that you need to do a chore, stop what you’re doing and do it.

Use A Timer To Bring You Back To Reality

One way to stay on track is by using a timer. On one hand, you can use the timer to set aside a timed work block. People generally work more focusedly and with a sense of urgency. On the other hand, when the timer goes off (after, say, 30 minutes), ask yourself if you’re doing what you’re supposed to be.

Your Future is created by
​What You Do Today, not Tomorrow.

Do Not Multitask

A lot of people say they’re great at doing many things at once. The reality, though, is that they’re usually great at starting many things at once but never actually doing any or all of them (or at least very well). Most people need to focus on one thing at a time—to do it well and to get it done.

Eliminate Distractions
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Distractions feed procrastination. Eliminate them. Remove clutter from your workspace. Turn off notifications. Leave your phone in a drawer. Only keep essential programs open on your computer. Don’t turn on the TV.

Compare Your Actions With Your Values
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It doesn’t matter what we say is important. The things that are priorities in our lives are the things we actually do. How does what you do mesh with what you believe? If you say that getting out of debt is important, are you actually doing the things that will get you out of debt? If you say that getting in better shape is important, is choosing TV over exercise going to help? Is that fast food meal really the best choice?

Cheering you on! Stay safe and healthy. God bless!

To a better you!