How to STOP Procrastinating
Procrastination: The act of delaying or postponing something.
If you’re reading this, I could guess that you have procrastinated at some point in your life just like me.
You waited until the day before to start a project that should have taken weeks.
You waited until THE MORNING of Mother’s Day to buy flowers for mom (guilty as charged.)
Or you don’t make the changes you MUST make in your life for them to be better.
Imagine this. You look at your calendar and say “XYZ project isn’t done until next month. We are good.” Then, you look two weeks later and say to yourself, “XYZ project isn’t done until two weeks from now.” Then you look again and say to yourself, “still have a week left.” Next thing you know, it’s the day before and you feel like you are screwed.
Oftentimes, we procrastinate because it’s simply something that we don’t want to do which leads us in a bind and stressed out because we run out of time.
Another reason we might procrastinate is because we are afraid to get started. We might be overwhelmed and not sure which direction to go in. We need clarity.
Do you find that this is something you do on a regular basis?
Try these tips to keep you from procrastinating.
Get organized- Many of us procrastinate because we feel overwhelmed. First, start by prioritizing things. Make a list of everything that needs to get done and tackle the most important thing first.
Stop being a perfectionist- If you are waiting for it to be perfect, STOP. There are people I know who wait years to get something right and then never complete it. I’ve got news for you - all beginners suck. The best way to get better is to do it, over and over and over again.
Take breaks- Force yourself out of your workspace every few hours to rejuvenate your brain. Sitting in the computer for 8 hours will cause your brain to work much slower than if you step outside for a few minutes to take a couple deep breaths and relax.
Get an accountability partner- You are creating a new standard for yourself. Ask a friend or hire a coach to hold you to a standard of getting it done.
Create scarcity- Whether it’s a project assigned to you or your own, set personal deadlines that allow you to leave room for error in case you have to redo something.
I get it. Some of you may be rolling your eyes now and saying, “I work well under pressure.”
That means it’s time to create pressure for yourself so you start getting focused. Set up specific timelines that you can be held accountable to either with a coach, friend, or boss.
These simple steps can offset a lot of frustration and stress in the long run when you have a goal in mind.
Do you need some extra accountability?
1-on-1 coaching is not only a great option but a way to get to your goals faster and further than if you didn’t have a coach.
Reach out to me at shannon@livwellsolutions.net to see if we would be a good fit to work together.
