Procrastination Strategies

The progressive realization of worthy goals propels you towards that vision of prosperity. The addition of positive choices everyday improves the quality of your journey? So, why not get started? In case you’re a procrastinator, here are eight tips to help you begin:

1. Acknowledge that procrastination creates needless stress for you. By procrastinating, you put yourself under an energy-draining emotional strain. Procrastination is the opposite of success. If your procrastination represents indecision, then identify what information you need to make that decision and get moving.

2. Breakdown overwhelming tasks into small ones. You want to write a two hundred-page book? Write a page a day and you’ll be done in seven months.

3. Do a start-up task to break the stalemate. If your goal is to start a home-based business, go to the library and check out some interesting books and periodicals on the subject or do some research on the internet.

4. Work on your goal for ten minutes. Doug hates filing, but if he sets a timer for ten minutes and puts on his favorite CD, it gets done.

5. Use your moods to your advantage. Recently, Judy had a big marketing proposal to write which could earn her a coveted promotion, but the words eluded her. Feeling social, she called several contacts in her marketing association and brainstormed more ideas for her proposal. These conversations illuminated why she had writer’s block and the next day, the proposal flowed.

6. Procrastination can also mask ambivalence. If you’re still doubtful about your goal, list out the pros and cons of accomplishing it. If the advantages don’t outweigh the disadvantages, then the job isn’t worth it.

7. Make a contract with a friend or a colleague that you’ll meet your goal by a specific date. If nothing else, fear of embarrassment will motivate you. This is why job-hunting groups, leads groups, small business planning groups, and support relationships, like mentoring, work. Use the advantage!

8. Lastly, reward yourself for meeting your goals beginning with your first steps. Latoya loves inexpensive costume earrings and treats herself to a pair whenever she crosses off an action step. Procrastination rates as a prime time-waster.

© Copyright 2004. Gail McMeekin, LICSW, Creative Success. Material may not be utilized without the permission of the author. Permission is hereby granted for each user to print one copy for his/her personal use.