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Planning and procrastination is something a lot of us struggle with. It’s very easy to do what’s in front of us NOW, rather than devote any time to what’s happening next week.
Why do we procrastinate? Often, understanding the reason WHY we do something can help us ‘unlock’ the key to overcome it. Some of the most common reasons: fear of failure, fear of success, perfectionism, stress & anxiety, not knowing where to start and time management issues.
Like me today. When I sat down to write this article, I first went to Instagram, then Facebook, then I was reminded to look up a recipe for dinner, which made me hungry so I went to get a snack, and then I sat back down and forgot what I was supposed to be doing so I reviewed my bank account and paid some bills and checked my emails… and then I looked at the clock and realized 45 minutes had passed and I hadn’t written a word about procrastination.
The end of a year is a great time to look back and reflect on all we accomplished in 12 months. And if you’re not happy, there is still time. Here are few simple reminders to help ensure you accomplish bigger, better things in 2023.
Manage The Mental Game: There are two things that motivate us – pleasure or pain. Create an environment where it’s EASIER to do the thing you’re avoiding than to NOT do it. Eliminate distractions, lock your office door, get a delicious coffee, play your favorite music, even block time on your calendar.
Do SOMETHING: Author Mark Manson’s strategy for beating procrastination is called “The Do Something Principle.” Start with the simplest component of that task, just one little thing. It’s the old story about eating an elephant one bite at a time. Breaking down a task into smaller, more manageable parts makes the task less daunting.
Use a Pen And Paper: Relying on our memories to get things done is a faulty plan. Give yourself a clear action path every day (or week), with a list of tasks and deadlines. This will also help you delegate. Everything does NOT need to be done by YOU. You’d probably be surprised by the number of your team members who are eager for new opportunities.
Create Deadlines: According to Parkinson’s Law, “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” If you have two weeks or two days, you still get the task done in the allotted time. Many of us work well with a little positive pressure, knowing that someone is counting on our part by a deadline.
Procrastinate Much?
Believe it or not, these are the most common reasons we find ourselves at procrastination station:
…FEAR of failure
…FEAR of success
…Perfectionism
…Stress & Anxiety
…Not knowing where to start
…Time Management
Be Realistic: It’s disappointing when you miss reaching the goals you have set for yourself. That’s often the most disheartening thing about weight loss or exercise goals. We set them so high they become unreachable and then we are disillusioned and give up. Set realistic goals that are attainable, and monitor as you get close to keep everyone encouraged and on track.
Reward Yourself: Celebrate the victories. When you hit the results you want, mark the occasion. Don’t diminish it if it seemed too easy to reach, make a note to set it a little higher next time. If it was a success, jot down what worked and what you would repeat. If you missed the goal, decide if this is something you can improve it for next time, or if it’s something that you won’t repeat again.