NO TIME TO LOSE

 HOW DO I STOP PROCRASTINATING?

“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.” - Spanish Proverb

This is such a common question, why do I continue to put things off, even though it causes me so much stress? Procrastination diminishes self-esteem and creates a negative spiral of self–doubt. Think about how you feel when you put tasks off and how stress accumulates every time you look at your treadmill, stack of paperwork or the information about going back to school. My clients will tell me they are lazy, lack willpower or do not have a good enough plan and that is why they delay. Most often this is not the case. They are resourceful and intelligent but procrastination has become a habit in one and sometimes multiple areas of their lives. So why do they do it and how do they break the pattern?

“To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing.”

- Eva Young

MAYBE SOME OTHER TIME

Contrary to popular water cooler discussions, what most people are stressed about is not the overabundance of tasks in their day but the number of incomplete task that are weighing them down. Sometimes delay is necessary because you need more information or the timing is not right. Sometimes taking an incomplete is advisable such as not finishing a dreadful book or a boring movie. Procrastination has its roots in fear, perfectionism, indecision, overwhelm or confusion and is simply the failure to challenge flawed thinking and the faulty, albeit, absolute faith you place in the accuracy of your feelings. Let me explain. The thinking goes something like this: I deserve a break, soon I will get right back on track and there is always tomorrow. And let’s not forget the subconscious beliefs: fear of failure, fear of success, resentments about your responsibilities and on and on. Now to the feelings: overwhelm, frustration fear, boredom which are expressed as, I don’t like, it is too hard, I’m not good at it or simply, it just doesn’t feel fun, and voila you have created the optimal environment for the virus known as procrastination. You must challenge the thinking and ignore the feelings. To stop procrastinating means declining immediate gratification for the long-term gain.

THE TIME HAS COME

When you procrastinate the virus takes over the vision and short-term gratification wins out over long-term achievement. A clear picture of where you are going and why, implicates the consequences of not taking immediate action. When you have a vision for your life and goals you are connected to, it becomes easier to prioritize. Many of your duties are avoided simply because you are not invested in the outcome or are bored or are indifferent to the results. Take note of the household chores, duties at work or activities you consistently avoid. Can you delegate, swap or eliminate certain things from your life? Are they truly necessary for you to complete? Learn to say no and to eliminate obligations that are unnecessary and do not strengthen or add to your life. Oftentimes the projects seem large and foreboding and overwhelm sinks in. Fear of success or failure is quieted when nothing is done, because no judgement can be rendered. Avoid over thinking and over planning – just start. This is a common delay tactic that has its roots in perfection or fear. The first step is often the hardest but once taken will encourage momentum and the first glimmers of possibility can be seen. It is important to know where you are going, to have a vision of the completed goals, but living in the moment is the key and this is where small incremental steps are the cornerstone of potential realized. When the virus shows up be reminded that it is not the task you are avoiding and delaying but your very life. Challenge the virus by focusing on the long-term outcome, feelings and subsequent quality of life you intend to create.

QUICK TIPS:

• Know your values.
• Create a vision.
• Eliminate the unnecessary.
• Don’t blow a task out of proportion.
• Avoid over thinking and over planning.
• Make a decision.
• Take the first step.
• Challenge the “virus”
• Get support.
• Hold the vision, remember the decision and take an action – until completion.

Life coaching is designed to support you in understanding your values, defining your goals and creating new habits that support you in living your life, On Purpose. If you would like to stop procrastinating, please contact me at, onpurposlifecoaching@hotmail.com

 “Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task” - William James