Again and again, the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made. ~ Robert Schuller
Life gets much easier when you come to terms with the fact that the longer you put something off the more difficult it becomes to get started. We could all avoid a lot of disappointment, frustration and unhappiness if we would just do what we know ought to be done.
As you stop doing the wrong things you create more space for the right things and life is at it’s best when filled with milestones and achievements.
Have you noticed that what’s really overwhelming isn’t the thing itself, it’s thinking how hard it’s going to be. And seeing it get bigger and bigger the more we procrastinate.
Even if it feels as though things have piled up so high that there’s absolutely no way to dig yourself out. There is.
There are things you can do to stop that procrastination habit. Try these:
1. Set yourself apart
The thing that sets apart those who can’t get started from those who don’t want to stop, is a strong, burning desire. It’s tough to get excited about taking action when you’re not totally, absolutely certain, it’s something you truly want.
Time for a reality check. Is it truly your heart’s desire to write the book you keep putting off? To run that marathon. To be a great musician/song writer. To be a world class athlete?
Whatever you’re procrastinating about you need to know that if it isn’t something you truly desire…a big enough desire that impels you to act, it’ll always be that much harder to get started, let alone accomplish.
Make sure you have a desire that will carry you over every obstacle, especially the procrastination roadblock. Your desire needs to be important enough to get you up in the morning and keep you moving towards your aim throughout the day.
2. Aim for success not perfection
Hang on tight to your right to be wrong. Getting things wrong is a great way to learn new things and keep moving forward.
Aiming for perfection will hamper your success and make it easy to keep procrastinating. Remember that behind the desire for perfection you’ll find fear. Fear of disappointing yourself or others, fear that you might succeed, fear that you won’t. And fear is one of the biggest triggers for those of us who get caught in the procrastination trap.
Be willing to run with what you’ve got, knowing you can fix it along the way. There are no shortcuts to the top, you need to climb the mountain one step at a time. Relax. Take the pressure off yourself to perform.
3. Follow the 5 minute, one step rule
Years ago I gave up smoking. But first I procrastinated. I managed to stop smoking 5 minutes at a time. Then I discovered this worked for all the other things I procrastinated about.
Pick one thing and decide to do it for 5 minutes. No overwhelm with that. It’s easy to persuade yourself you can handle 5 minutes.
A giant bowl can be filled with water, drop by drop. And bit by bit that pile of things to do that seemed so overwhelming will be finished and you’ll wonder why you ever sat and worried and stewed about it for so long.
4. Stop dabbling your way through life and you’ll become unstoppable
One reason so few people get their heart’s desire is that they never direct their focus, never concentrate their power. Most people dabble their way through life, doing a bit of this and a bit of that, but you don’t have to be one of them.
Ordinary people achieve extraordinary things through the power of focus. You too can reach the point of becoming unstoppable by doing what they do.
Concentrate single-mindedly on the one thing you’re going to do for 5 minutes and you’ll find you get more done in a day than many people get done in a week.
The most productive people in every field have strategies and techniques to support them and concentration goes hand in hand with great accomplishments. Focusing on something is like watering and fertilizing seeds. You are growing your dreams.
5. Make yourself a promise that you intend to keep
Within you are powers, which if you would use would support you to enjoy everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could be.
Don’t wait for the inevitable consequences of procrastination and unkept promises.
Decide to no longer sit idly by while your dreams disappear. If your desires are deep enough to lead to action…promise yourself you’ll take it. Everyone can be what they truly desire to be if they bring all the power within to make it happen.
Study books, polish your current skills, develop new ones. Whatever is necessary. Promise yourself you’ll do what it takes to create an epic life filled with your fulfilled desires.
Look back, and you’ll realise you’ve always felt happiest and most contented, when you’ve completed a project or faced up to a responsibility you were worried about. The joy you experience makes it all worthwhile.
Promise yourself you won’t remain captive to procrastination because one day all you’ll be left with is a well-intentioned but unfulfilled life. You deserve more.
Are you going to try any of these procrastination tips? Do you have some of your own? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Thank you for stopping by and reading and commenting. If you know anyone who experiences procrastination, please share with them. We all could use whatever encouragement we can get!
Encourage one another.
Love Elle
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10 Comments
I practiced the 5 minutes rule sometimes. When I got distracted with Facebook, but at the back of my head I knew there is a task. So I switch the windows around. Facebook, task, Facebook, task.
Though slow, but better than not moving.
That’s a great idea Joe. You’re so right. Much better than not moving. 🙂
Thanks for a concise and practical way of realizing goals. I have been making a decision about focusing on change and this was timely and valuable for me!
I’m glad that the post was helpful MaryAnn and thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts. 🙂
Love this Stop dabbling your way through life and you’ll become unstoppable. That one stood out for me and I reflected on why- yes I do dabble- much less than i used to. 🙂
I am planning to complete one thing at a time in June
Namaste
Suzie
Hi Suzie, I’m a bit of a dabbler myself which is why I can write so knowingly about it! I’m doing better now that I time myself on where I’m focusing attention. 🙂
Hey Elle,
I don’t know if you remember me-I’m making the rounds on all the blogs I use to interact with over a year. I just started a new blog after a year away and I am excited to reconnect with the people I use to read on a daily basis.
I could relate to this post in a lot of ways. First is that I definitely get in the trap of overthinking something to death, instead of just taking one small action to move towards it. One big goal, is just a million tiny goals combined.
Second, I have tried the five minute thing and it definitely helps a lot whether it is in responding to something or pushing myself to do more on the stair climber.
Third, focus is everything. I know I can get adhd about things and I get nothing done. Thanks for the reminder that focus is everything.
I look forward to reading more of your stuff in the future.
-Sebastian 😀
Great to see you back Sebastian. I’m looking forward to having you back in action. These things really do work don’t they…as a dabbler and someone for whom the procrastination habit can easily return, I too find it helps just to practice these few steps. 🙂
First time i have seen the “5 minute rule” sounds great and will give it a try later today.
Hi Nick, nice to have you join in the conversation. How did the 5 minute rule work out for you? I find it seems to trick my mind and once I get started I’m ready to ‘carry on’. 🙂