Procrastination, Connect with your goals
The two rules of procrastination: 1) Do it today. 2) Tomorrow will be today tomorrow. ~Author Unknown
I am, have been and will probably continue to be to some extent a procrastinator for the rest of my life. I have improved a lot but I’d be the first to admit that when my will is tested, where procrastination is concerned, my body is often found wanting. What does this mean though in the grand scheme of things? Well for me when I find myself procrastinating that realisation is itself a reminder that my mind is constantly keeping track of the work to be done in it’s own haphazard way. Thankfully, my mind has not give up on me just yet, and still lives in quiet hope that I’ll change my procrastinating ways.
Procrastination indicates uncertainty of purpose
When I start procrastinating I quite simply sit back and re-evaluate the task that needs to be done. In simple terms if I’m putting off a task I need to give some thought to why I find it so boring, complicated, distasteful or worthless. In order to move past the moment of choice I need to move past the task at hand and focus on the reason I’m doing it. As soon as I’m able to connect with that truth I find the decision on whether to take on a task is much easier and the decision I invariably take is much more permanent. Uncertainty of intention will certainly breed uncertain action in your life. Only in that connection with your true purpose can we beat procrastination.
Do it till it’s done
Once I’ve determined that a task is the best use of my time the next step is simple, do it. Do it. The task has passed all the tests of logic and must be done. So do it. Don’t do anything else until it’s completed.
Procrastination is often bred out of a disconnect from your goals. In order to feel the energy of your goals fuelling your action, and avoid the inevitable pit stops of procrastination connect with your reasons for doing things often and the power of doing will carry you forward.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Michael,
Certainty of purpose has helped me to defeat procrastination most of the time. The more clear I become in what I want the less I put things off. Clarity is key. Hazy desires bring about uncertain action, and uncertain action includes a great deal of waffling. Waffling is the father of procrastination.
Excellent advice buddy
[Reply]
[Reply]
I find that writing down a list of everything I need to do keeps me from procrastinating. It kind of sets a goal for me: which would be to cross everything off the list.
[Reply]
This works for me with certain tasks. I know for a lot of people the list is enough. Long term though I find to stick to the big tasks that make a difference in my life I need that connection with purpose to renew my energy when simply ticking off an item is no longer enough.
Thanks for the comment and welcome to Monetize Your Life
[Reply]
What helps for me is writing my goals down in the 5×5p5 goals booklet, downloaded from http://www.isetmygoals.com/goal-setting.html . It is always in my wallet and I review it regularly. It keeps me focused on what really matter to me.
Enjoy and success!
Ronny
[Reply]
Mike Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Thanks for the resource, very useful I much prefer paper based goal setting/tracking tools.
[Reply]