There are many out there (like myself) who tend to procrastinate at times. You find yourself putting off work and getting caught up in countless minimal tasks. So how do you stop yourself from procrastinating and keep moving forward? I’ve got some tips for you.
Tip #1: Always Hit the Ground Running
Not knowing what to do is often worse than the work itself. That’s why you should always strive to hit the ground running for new commitments, especially in terms of how you start each and every day.
The night before, create a simple to-do list (ON PAPER!) that consists of 3 big things that you want to get done, and what work each will entail. Keep it at your desk for when you sit down, or in your bag if you commute to work, and get them done right away. Start with number one on the list and work your way down. Even if you don’t do anything else for the rest of the day (which I don’t encourage) at least you crossed three things off your to-do-list!
With a clear list of what to work on “right now”, you won’t have to stare at a long list of obligations that should get done “someday.”
Tip #2: Do the “Right” Kind of Fantasizing
Fantasies about the future are generally okay to have and are all in good fun. But excessive fantasizing has been proven to be a goal killer and a huge reason people procrastinate.
Sometimes the mistake is in what we visualize. It’s okay to visualize the future and what you want to attain, but you must not let your fantasies distract you from everyday goals. So don’t fret your day dreams, just make sure you’re not solely focusing on the rewards of the “good life” without remembering the hard work and time that is necessary to make it happen!
Tip #3: Bargain with Yourself
Sometimes it’s tough to get a task done because you have other events calling your name. Don’t get me wrong, dinner and drinks always sounds very tempting but don’t let it get in the way of the larger goals in mind. Yes, a casual evening with friends sounds nice but retiring at 40 sounds even nicer! So do this: every time you have a desire to go to the gym, movies, on a date, etc. just tell yourself that you can only go if you complete a task that you have on your to-do list for that day.
You will be rewarding yourself for doing something good, kind of like treating yourself to an ice cream sundae. Sometimes you’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day occurrences and forget what needs to be done, but with these tips you can do all that and more. Just remember that the more you get done, the less you wait – the “wait” referring to achieving success and accomplishing your dreams!
