26
Sep

What is Your Excuse | Stop Procrastination

Procrastination is a problem that seems to be growing.  It is very easy to allow something to interfere into your plans and get distracted.  Mainly because the something that comes up fits into one of two categories:  1.  It is easier and quicker to get done, so it logically makes sense to shift gears and let what really needs to get done be put off, yet again.

2.  There is a real psychological reason that you are avoiding doing what really needs to be done.

Twenty percent of people identify themselves as chronic procrastinators.

What excuse do you use?  Is it:

  • That you feel as if you have the need to be perfect.  Procrastination keeps away the feeling of failure because you aren’t able to meet up to your own expectations.
  • Anticipation of the worst.  In your mind you play a recording of how a situation will end and taking action causes anxiety, so it is just easier, so it seems, to continue to put it off.
  • Lack of self-confidence that you won’t be able to follow-through with a task so you avoid taking a risk.
  • Fear that you will find something that will bring back memories that you aren’t ready to handle.

Instead of addressing, scheduling and doing what needs to be done you:

  •  Get on the computer and check email or get stuck in google mode
  • Call a friend who loves to talk.  This could keep you on the phone for hours and then it would be too late to begin any project
  • Sink yourself into a good book to distract yourself
  • Go shopping for some retail therapy

How Do You Stop Procrastination?

  • Set a schedule and don’t waiver from it!  If needed, break things into 15 minute increments but definitely set a timer to stay on task
  • Stay away from things that distract you:  phone, email, neighbors.  If you are at work, have your staff take charge for a while.  Put up a Do Not Disturb sign!  If work is your home office, close the door and post a sign, Mommy or Daddy is working.  Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by those things that allow you to procrastinate.
  • Step into your fear.  Do the most stressful thing on your list in the morning.  Get it out of your way and you’ll feel energized and prepared to stay focused.
  • Ask for support.  Allow others to help you through at least a portion of your project.  They can give you the confidence to move forward on your own.

Procrastination can cause disappointment, stress, frustration, depression, rebellion.   It gives you the “life’s not fair” attitude because you can, truly, always find a way or reason to procrastinate.  We think that somehow, some way, something will happen that will magically take care of the situation.   So we continue to just put it off until another time.

Stopping the cycle means stopping the excuses.  Step up to the plate and decide to dedicate the time and energy and make it happen.  It can be scary and it may be very time consuming, especially if you have procrastinated for a long time.  But know that with consistency and persistence, you can overcome your challenges and get your life back.

Stop making excuses and stop the procrastination.  Give yourself credit for everything that you do!  Celebrate, do a little happy dance, make a phone call or email someone who understands and will celebrate with you.  Don’t you deserve it?

Stopping the procrastination will allow you to Change Your Life!