Could you make a drawing just by imagining it or planning to make it?
…NO!
In order to stop procrastinating you must become aware of the unrealistic and perfectionist demands you place upon yourself. Once you learn to identify this trait in yourself, you can then learn to be more gentle by telling yourself that you are good enough, that you are doing your best. Some helpful steps to overcoming procrastinating are:
- Identify your fear. If you are unable to do anything more than look at your to-do list, ask yourself what it is that you are afraid of. Not finishing it on time? Not fully understanding the task? Facing rejection upon completion?
- Learn to “dechunk”. Sometimes just one goal can be overwhelming when it is a large project. Break it down into manageable chunks. Learn to make decisions and prioritize. Set a timer for small increments of time and take breaks regularly
- Set up realistic goals. There is no better way to procrastinate than to set yourself unrealistic goals, like writing a twenty page essay in one day or attempting to do ten tasks before lunch.
- Write down daily goals and deadlines. Get an appointment book or a wall calendar and write down everything you must do so that you can see your goals clearly. Each day make a list of what needs to be completed and carry it in your wallet so you can look at it regularly.
- Role models. Find role models who are productive without being perfectionists. Observe their methods and learn how to be satisfied with being good enough and doing your best.
- Get an action buddy. Tell a friend or coworker what your daily tasks are each morning, and then check in again at the end of the day to let the other know what was completed. There should be no judgment or reprimands if tasks are left undone, though.
- Sports. Playing sports gives us the opportunity to see immediate results, allows us to focus sharply on the task at hand, changes our state of mind both chemically and mentally and teaches us to know when to stop (when too tired or in pain).
Remember that learning to stop procrastinating is a process.
Use these tools to slowly and gently overcome your procrastination,
one day at a time
Part II of the article can be found here: Learning to Stop Procrastinating
Are YOU a procrastinator? Do you sabotage yourself and do not even recognize it? Follow the link to read more – Stop Procrastinating.
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