We all put things off now and then. Maybe we know we have to do something, but we're not in the mood to do it. Perhaps it's a big project that we're not looking
forward to starting.
Or maybe we're embarrassed because we should have begun months ago and haven't even taken the first step towards getting it off the ground.
No matter what, procrastination holds us back from getting our TO DOs done and, more importantly, from reaching our ultimate goals.
Here are three ways to nix procrastination.
1) Move
past the guilt. Ok, so you haven't done it and now you're starting to feel bad that it's still on your TO DO list staring you in the face. Take a deep breath, forgive yourself for letting it sit, and then move past that guilt. Today is a fresh page in a new book. Begin now.
2) Keep
moving one step closer. Last year, a friend said to me, "I'd really love to walk a 5K, but have never done so before. Maybe I'll do that one day." So, when the next local 5K came up, I called her and asked her if she wanted to walk it with me. She said yes, and I signed us both up.
One step closer.
During the weeks leading up to the 5K, I asked her if
she wanted to walk a bit with me to get her into practice. She said she only had about 30-minute increments after dinner to do so. Great! We met up 3 days a week and walked for 30 minutes at a time.
Another step closer.
The morning of the 5K, she was still a bit nervous. Even though we were walking a few nights a week, she was still worried she would
not make it. I told her we'd be taking micro-steps.
When we first started, the first micro-goal was to just get to the next block (it was in a neighborhood).
Another step closer.
Then, the next micro-goal was to get to the next block after the first.
Yet another step closer.
After that, the next micro-goal was to get to the park...about 2 blocks ahead of the two goals prior. And so on...until she
reached the finish line. Setting micro-goals along the way helped her keep moving another step closer until she reached completion.
3) Make something you LOVE doing dependent on getting a task done. You can't wait to start reading that new novel you picked up, but you
promised yourself you'd finally stop procrastinating and get your coat closet organized. Just make that reading time your REWARD for getting the coat closet project done.
Begin working on
that project...and then spend the rest of the afternoon reading your new book.
Alternately, do half (or even a quarter) of the project. And then read your book. And then go back to your
project. And then read your book again.
This method, the sandwich method (task, reward, task, reward, etc.) is also very effective. It makes the project less daunting and involves many mini
rewards along the way.
P.S. Happy Easter! For those celebrating this blessed holiday, or just this lovely spring day, wishing you and your loved ones joy, hope, and renewal in your life. Also, it's the perfect day to put ALL of your eggs in one basket!
