Do you want more hours in the day or days in the week?
Procrastination may be the thief of time, but what actually is this term we bandy around? Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing something. So you want more time in the day, then let’s interrupt your procrastination mechanism. We all have one!
Throughout this Mindset Matters blog series what will best serve you is to think of a specific goal or result you MUST produce this year; so have that in your mind now.
Procrastination is as tempting as it is deadly!
- Tell the truth
The best way to beat it is to recognise that you do indeed procrastinate. Notice the specific areas or tasks that you regularly put off doing. - Figure out why
Perhaps you are afraid of failing, afraid of the unknown or afraid of what others will think of you? Watch yourself closely for 48hours to identify not only why you are delaying or postponing tasks but what your regular ‘tricks’ are to pretend you are not procrastinating – (for example being on social media, being in your head with disempowered thoughts, talking to others and making everyone else a priority and then complaining you have no time for yourself, aka poor boundary setting). One of the biggest reasons that people continue to procrastinate is there is comfort in it! Yes it’s familiar!
As long as you put off the ‘next step’ you ALWAYS know what the next step is! By putting off a less desirable next step you are giving yourself short term pleasure. But you must ask yourself, and tell the truth to yourself, “Is the short term pleasure of avoiding that task causing me long term pain by preventing me from reaching my goals and living my best life?” - Kick the habit
Now you know why you procrastinate, make a plan to kick the habit.- Reward yourself for getting tasks done.
- Remind yourself regularly of the consequences of not accomplishing your tasks.
- Work with a buddy to make promises about what you’ll do and ‘bookend’ your day by giving feedback on how you did against your promise.
- Ask if you could (and would) pay someone else to do tasks you always avoid.
- Fine yourself for not getting tasks done on time.
Now to action….why not share this post with friend or colleague and ask them to be your power partner? Remember just do it, don’t procrastinate 😉
Till next time!
Your partner in performance,
Mandy
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