Saturday, November 27, 2004

Reasons to Overcome Procrastination

Time to overcome procrastination? Let´s clear up a few misconceptions about how to overcome procrastination...


Overcoming Procrastination
by: Mari Peckham

What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?


Are you a perfectionist?

Do you procrastinate on projects that you dislike?

Do you over schedule yourself?

Do you have fear of failure?

Or maybe fear of success?

Perhaps you dislike or disagree with the person delegating the job?

Do you lack clear goals?
There are many reasons for procrastination, but only one result. Stress, anxiety, and a great amount of wasted time.

Marcia Yudkin, a creative consultant, describes a woman who put off cleaning her desk and sorting through her paperwork for an amazing 2 years.

Her reason for procrastinating this important project?

"She realized that going through the piles and cleaning off her desk would force her to confront opportunities she'd let drop with the passing of the time," Marcia explains. "She didn't want to face that."

At times that you find yourself procrastinating, Marcia recommends asking yourself these questions:


What purpose does your procrastination serve?

What could you like about the put-off job once you got started on it?

What wouldn't you like about it?

What would be the consequences if you continue procrastinating?

What have you done in the past to overcome procrastination that might work for you now?
You may also want to consider a "Pros and Cons" sheet. Simply draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left side, write down all the reasons for procrastinating on a particular task. Now, on the right side, write down all of the benefits of getting started and getting the job done. Once you can see how the "Pros" outweigh the "Cons" it should be easier to get started on the project.

Here are some Time Boosting tips to help you get going in the right direction:


Don't try to do too much at once. Proper planning will allow you to space out a task over a few days, weeks, or months, and will keep the task from seeming so daunting.

Don't worry about how "perfect" the job is done. When you stop procrastinating, time will allow you to go back and tweak areas that need it. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a small window of time to complete your task, and less time to make corrections.

Get a buddy! Find a supportive (and motivating) friend or coworker who can help you get moving on something that you are not looking forward to.

Don't schedule tasks for times during the day that you know that your energy level is at it's lowest.

Reward yourself by doing something that you like after reaching certain points in your less favorite tasks.
Procrastination is never our friend. It lowers your productivity, and, usually, the procrastinated task doesn't go away. I always tell my children to eat their least favorite food first at dinner, because, if they wait, they will have it left at the end. Same goes for tasks that we are not looking forward to.

Get them done first, then move on to all the good things!


© Mari Peckham

Mari Peckham is the President of Peckham Enterprises and webmistress of PowerPromoPlus, your online advertising solution at: http://www.powerpromoplus.com

To subscribe to her online advertising tips, tools and techniques ezine, Advertise_Online, send any Email to: advertise_online-subscribe@egroups.com or visit: http://www.powerpromoplus.com/advertise_online.htm

Now you know how to overcome procrastination!

Beat Procrastination Tips For Today

Beat Procrastination Tips...

These tips will help you to beat procrastination as long as you give it just a few minutes a day. You´ll love these procrastination beater tips.

10 Ways to Overcome Procrastination: The Challenge for Tomorrow!
by: Lisa James

Did you realize that as much as 47% of the time we spend on-line has nothing whatsoever to do with our work? In 1978 15% of the population stated that they do procrastinate somewhat. Only 1% admitted to chronic procrastination. In 2002 the numbers quadrupled! 60% of people stated that they experience mild to moderate procrastination in their lives and 6% stated that procrastination ruled their lives! In this era of “distraction overdose”, make the decision to overcome procrastination by applying some or all of the following techniques.

1. Live by the Law of More Effort. As you accomplish an important task, you will feel a surge of energy and enthusiasm. Completing the task will trigger the release of endorphins in your brain, causing you to experience a natural high. You will actually become addicted to this feeling as you continue to complete challenging and important tasks. So, as you put forth more effort, you will want to continue to put forth more effort.

2. How’s your energy? There are many things you can do to increase your energy stores, including getting 8 hours of rest each night. I know you are saying, “I’m lucky if I get 6!” With better planning & organizing, you can not only get 8 hours of sleep, but you will also have time for #3.

3. Exercise & eat right! Yes, that’s right. If you take the time to exercise, you will actually have more energy and will procrastinate less. Also, avoid those simple sugars that “give you a boost”. It may give you an immediate rush, but you will “dump” just shortly there after. Eat complex carbohydrates which provide a slower, steadier release of energy throughout the day.

4. Improve your goal setting techniques. Do we eat the elephant all at once? No. We do it one bite at a time. Do the same with your goals. Take your larger goals and break them down into a series of smaller, more attainable goals. Write them down, be specific and put a date on them. A goal without a date is just a dream. Make sure they are challenging and schedule your repetitive goals (ex. workouts) at the same time each day to develop a routine.

5. Make lists and work from them. No one likes to work from lists. You feel like your mother is controlling your every move. But this keeps you organized. Have a daily, weekly and monthly list of things you need to do and add to them as necessary.

6. Make your own “top ten” list. Write down ten things you want to accomplish in the next year. Write these out as if they have already happened, in the present tense. Post them where you will see them daily and while you’re at it, read them out loud daily. Self-talk is very important. (That’s for another top 10.)

7. Select a favorite from your list. Which item on your list will push you forward 100% in your career, personal life, etc. when completed? Come up with an action plan for achieving that goal first and write it down.

8. Find a system that works for you. There is no cookie-cutter approach to overcoming procrastination. A system that may be very successful for one person, could fail miserably for another. Try different “programs” on and be patient. You will find a system that fits you perfectly.

9. Don’t give up! We can all develop the habits of focus & concentration if we commit to it by making the decision, developing the discipline and staying determined.

10. Just do it! I realize this phrase is completely over-used, but let’s face it, it applies. Sometimes we just need to buckle down and complete that unbelievably miserable task that we have been dreading for so long. I guarantee you that you will have more energy when you are done.

David Allen says, "Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they have started."

Lisa James is a personal coach and founder of Code 10 Coaching. She brings a unique perspective to the coaching arena as she was in Law Enforcement for 10 years dealing with conflict resolution and crisis management. She teaches the importance of Goal Setting, Self-Talk and Personal Development in business and other aspects of our lives. Lisa has studied coaching and Self-Talk under the guidance of Shad Helmstetter and graduated from The Life Coach Institute in 2001. A believer in life-long learning, she continues to advance her expertise in coaching and personal development at The Schools of Coaching and CoachVille.
Lisa@Code10Coaching.com


Stop Procrastination In Its Tracks

How can you kill and stop procrastination before it gets out of hand? There are many ways to stop procrastination...


Stop Procrastination- Just do it!
by: Lorraine Pirihi

What stops you from 'getting things done?'

Have you ever started your day with good intentions of completing a task or project only to find that by the end of the day you've hardly worked on it? Or have you ever set a goal to attend a seminar, learn a new skill or just have more time out for you?

I'm sure you have. I'm not going to write a long-winded explanation about the art of procrastination or "putting things off" but what I will do is share with you the secret of actually "getting things done"…putting an end to procrastination and just getting on with it.

I believe most people overload themselves with too many unimportant tasks or commitments, which in the scheme of their day or life is really of little benefit.

Our society is so conditioned to "being busy". If you ask a colleague or friend "How are you?", generally they answer "I'm busy/flat-out/snowed-under", even on weekends! But what are they "busy/flat-out/snowed-under" doing? "Being busy" can be totally different to "being productive".

Bill's story

Bill, a friend of mine is an extremely intelligent and creative person. He's "flat-out" in his role as the Marketing Manager for a large manufacturing company. Having observed Bill in his working environment, he constantly allows everyone and anyone to interrupt him. He believes in the "open door" policy. He allows the day to evolve rather than planning what he wants to achieve. Bill's office looks like a bomb-site so he consequently wastes immeasurable amounts of time searching for paperwork.

Bill has just turned forty - the 'mid-life' crisis decade. He's married with two children 8 and 10 yrs old whom he loves dearly. Unfortunately due to his work commitments he does not spend as much time with them as he wants to. He 'used to be' fit but now he's on the pudgy side. His excuse for not exercising is "I don't have the time". Starting work by 8.00 a.m. and finishing around 7.00 p.m. Who would have the time?

Bill is like many people I know who don't realise there is a better way.

Bill called me a few weeks ago. He'd decided he'd had enough of "never having time" and wants to get organised for living his life. (Prior to this, I used to offer unsolicited advice but he took no notice).

How Bill stopped his procrastination and "just did it"

This is what happened:

Bill cleaned out the clutter from his original "bombsite".

We devised simple systems tailored to Bill's creative personality to cope with the mountains of paperwork.

Now that Bill has systems he has been able to identify tasks which he can delegate to others.

We've worked out simple and easy to implement strategies for coping with interruptions. The "open door" is sometimes closed.

Bill now uses a diary (that's right he never used one before) writes a daily list of things to do and scribbles all his notes in it. No more scraps of paper.

We worked out where Bill spends his time and prepared a weekly timetable so that he can work in a more structured way and get more done. Such as allocating specific times of the week for certain tasks, rather than letting them build up to unmanageable levels. Time for himself was also factored in.

He now gets up at 6.00 a.m. and goes to the gym near his home 4 mornings a week, has breakfast there and then blasts off to work. Those of you who exercise first thing in the morning know what I mean.

Bill's now eating more nutritious food. Instead of the unhealthy restaurant food he will often have his lunchtime meetings in a "trendy café" where he can choose what he eats.

The last time I spoke to Bill he said he had reduced his working hours. He was leaving the office by 6.00 p.m. the latest and was feeling so good he is considering training to compete in his gym's mini-triathlon.

How's that for stopping the procrastination and "just doing it". You can too, you know. We often know what to do, even how to do it.

All you need to do make a decision to stop your procrastination and take action today.

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au

This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi. lorraine@office-organiser.com.au


How To Kick Procrastination

We all need to know how to kick procrastination. Do you know the best way to kick procrastination?

10 Ways To Kick The Procrastination Habit
by: Julie Plenty

I recently read about a survey (by the University of Chicago) which suggested that those who relish challenge are more likely to live up to 10 years longer than those who spend their lives inhibited by timidity.

Trying to realise our ambitions, even if we don’t always meet them, is preferable to not having the courage or motivation to take the risk. So not making any resolutions because we fear that we’ll break them is having a defeatist attitude, as we allow procrastination to become an insidious habit which stops us from leading more fulfilling lives.

The following offers 10 ways to kick the procrastination habit!

1. Personal values development. Take the time to find out what you really want in life, what your personal values are. Do you want more time, more money, better health, greater self esteem and confidence, more fulfilling relationships, a different career, set up a business? When we procrastinate it’s often because what we are planning to do is not really aligned with what we truly want. We may be scared of our skills (or perceived lack of) or fear ridicule from others.

2. Make health a priority. Without good health we are less likely to have the energy and dynamism needed to make positive changes in our lives and it’s easier (and necessary if you’re very ill) to procrastinate. So ensure that you have a nourishing diet, sleep well, exercise and meditate. Incidentally, it is thought that regular meditation helps delay the worst effects of the ageing process.

3. Visualise your life without procrastination. See and feel the benefits in your life if you didn’t procrastinate. What could you do and achieve? Begin to act as if you’re not a procrastinator. Write down, draw, imagine your life as a film. Use affirmations to help you.

4. Banish the Gremlin. That little voice which runs on auto in your head – that dismisses any idea that you might have. It says things like “I’m not in the mood” “I don’t have time” “I can’t do this”. Stop running on auto, replace the “should’s” “oughts” “have tos” with “want to” “desire”. You have a choice. Acknowledge your choices and banish the Gremlin. Again, using affirmations can help you replace the Gremlin with more positive alternatives.

5. Overcommitment. Saying “yes” to everything – often leaves you feeling tired and without the energy to focus on what is most important to you. This leads to procrastination as projects and tasks are dropped. Identify what is most important to you and only focus on those areas which will make the biggest difference to your life. It will enhance your focus and motivation.

6. Setting personal professional goals. It’s hard to motivate yourself when you don’t have a good idea of what you want to accomplish. So when setting goals think about what you want to achieve in the short term and long term. Techniques for doing so include the SMART strategy. S = specific M = measurable A= Action R = Realistic T = Time based. Use goal setting software to help you in goal planning and setting.

7. Prioritize Your Goals. Develop a plan or schedule to help you reach your goals. In doing so you will begin to identify whether some elements need to be included or enhanced or dropped completely. Also remember to be flexible, revisit your goals regularly and modify or drop if appropriate. Just because a goal is written down doesn’t mean that it is set in stone!

8. Divide and conquer. Once you’ve prioritised your goals, divide them into smaller chunks. Sometimes we procrastinate because a project seems really large that the scale of it overwhelms us and puts us into a temporary form of paralysis – you don’t know where to start, so you don’t start at all! Approach each project – especially large ones – on a step by step basis.

9. Reward yourself. Once you start to complete tasks, reward yourself by giving yourself something that you want. So instead of seeing a film before you complete a task, see it afterwards and make it a reward for you.

10. Just get started. No excuses. Don’t wait until you’re “in the mood”. The mood never comes! It is a clever camouflage and a delaying tactic. What you resist persists! Start with what is easiest, so that you experience immediate success, which will give you the fuel and motivation to upgrade and take on larger projects.

Do any of the above and you’ll be well on your way to Kicking the Procrastination Habit. And if you’re procrastinating over doing any of the above :.), then remember that life is the biggest deadline of all!


Julie Plenty is a Personal and Business Coach who specialises in coaching self employed creative professionals to live more creative, fulfilled lives. To sign up for the Life Design newsletter visit:

http://www.self-help-personal-development.com

Now you know the best way to kick procrastination!

Procrastination problem?

Is procrastination a problem for you? For many procrastinators, procrastination comes with many related problems...

The Pitfalls of Procrastination
by: Lorraine Pirihi

We all put off making decisions and taking action sometimes (yes, me too). It's okay to do that occasionally but if you are a regular pontificator then it will constantly cause you pain, even if you aren't aware of it. By putting things off on a regular basis you hold yourself back and instead of progressing in your life, you'll regress.

Mary's Story

I've been coaching Mary for over the past 6 months and she is a classic procrastinator. She'll often agree to taking necessary action which results from each coaching session she has and then not do anything. She's always got the excuses. In fact she could write a book with some of the reasons she comes up with. Her behaviour has had a dramatic impact on her business and personal life.

Her business is growing yet she can't keep up with the growth. She's constantly had staff issues because she puts off dealing with them.

Her office systems are in chaos as a result of not taking action.

She's losing money and having sleepless nights. Her personal life is taking a battering and her relationship with her husband is floundering. She know what she needs to do and yet will not take the time to get the foundations in place.

Now I just wanted to say that the coaching hasn't been a failure in fact despite all of this, Mary has made progress … slowly.

She has finally had a wake up call. And it's such a shame it had to happen this way.

Mary was working on her computer when the task alarm rang reminding her to ring her Grandmother. This was not the first time she had set this reminder up. In fact it had been appearing over the last month and each time the bell rang, she put off ringing and set another date. It would have been easy to pick up the phone and call her grandmother, yet she chose to procrastinate and reset the alarm again.

However this time when it rang, she stopped in her tracks. She read the note which said 'Phone Grandma'. A wave of sadness engulfed her…Mary's Grandmother had died three weeks earlier!

The Final Word

Mary shared this story with me and was happy for me to write about it so that maybe someone reading this will stop procrastinating and ring their grandad, husband, brother, sister, mother or other loved one before it is too late.

Mary is really feeling the pain and that profound incident has turned her around.

Reminds me of the story of the old man and the dog:

Old man sitting on porch on rocking chair, his dog next to him is whining and howling .. another person walks past and asks "what's the matter with your dog?" and the old man replies, "oh, he's just sitting on a nail" … stranger asks "so, why doesn't he just get off?" .. to which the old man replies "well, it obviously doesn't hurt enough".

Lorraine Pirihi, principal of The Office Organiser
http://www.office-organiser.com.au is Australia's Personal Productivity Coach

Lorraine specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.

We Offer a Broad Range of Services and Products including:

Coaching for small business owners and professionals
Keynote presentations and workshops
Books, CD's, DVD's and on-line learning programs
Take action today! Contact Lorraine to discuss your specific needs at lorraine@office-organiser.com.au


Is procrastination still a problem for you?

Best Ways To Overcome Procrastination

There are many ways to overcome procrastination. Still, do you know the best ways to overcome procrastination?

The Top 10 Ways to Overcome Procrastination
by: ADD Management Coach Jennifer Koretsky

When a person is bored or uninterested, certain tasks and projects can seem like torture! This feeling usually leads to procrastination, and procrastination often leads to guilt. Here are some practical ways to avoid these situations and overcome procrastination:

1. Recharge Daily

Be sure to get enough sleep and rest each day so that you have the necessary energy you need to accomplish your tasks.

2. Get a Friend Involved

It's harder to procrastinate when another person is involved. If you have a task you aren't looking forward to, invite a friend over to help you out. If you have errands to run, find a buddy who you can run errands with.

3. Reward Yourself

You're much more likely to complete that boring task if there is a dinner out or a new CD waiting for you when (and only when) the task is complete.

4. Do Things in Pieces

Procrastination often comes from feelings of overwhelm. Break tasks, even small ones, into steps so that they are manageable and provide you with a sense of direction.

5. Use Music

Turn on some fun and upbeat music and let it pump you up! 80s music and showtunes are often great pick-me-ups that will give you needed energy to tackle your tasks.

6. Don't Be Afraid to do 2 Things at Once

Don't be afraid to balance routine or monotonous tasks with something that is more likely to hold your interest. You can pay bills while you watch TV, or talk on the phone while cleaning up the house.

7. Delegate

Do you find yourself procrastinating on chores at home like cleaning and laundry? Or maybe paperwork at the office? Delegate them! Kids, cleaning people, laundry services, administrative assistants and more are all available to take some of those boring tasks off your list and free up your time for the stuff you'd rather be doing.

8. Prioritize

Perhaps you're procrastinating on a task because it's really not that important. Maybe you'd love to re-organize your book shelves, but never get around to it. If it sounds like a good idea but in the end it's really not that important to you, don't let it hang over your head.

9. Get in Touch with the End Result

Before you begin a task or project that has high procrastination potential, get in touch with the outcome. When the task is finished, what will that mean to you? What will be better in life as a result?

10. Just Do It!!

Don't think about it too much, just jump in and get it done!

© Copyright 2004

Jennifer Koretsky is an ADD Management Coach who helps adults learn how to manage their ADD and move forward in life. She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, and skill-building programs. Her work has been featured in various media, including The New York Times Magazine and The London Times. Subscribe to Jennifer’s free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, by visiting

http://www.ADDmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm
addmanagement@addmanagement.com


Now you know the best ways to overcome procrastination!

Do you know how to get motivated?

Want some great tips for getting motivated? Knowing how to get motivated is a critical success skill. Read this new article to learn how to get motivated whenever you need to...


Tips To Get Motivated and Overcome Procrastination
by: Arina Nikitina

Procrastination is a complicated behavior that affects all people to some degree. Some experience only small problems with procrastination while with others, it is a major source of anxiety and stress. Lack of motivation and procrastination is related to time management. Procrastinators often fail to complete tasks even though they know what the task is and the time they have to do it.

Why do people procrastinate? Often a difficult task is avoided in favor of the less difficult. Tasks that take longer amounts of time are less desirable than those that can be completed quickly. People sometimes procrastinate due to fear of failure. No one wants to be embarrassed by a lack of knowledge or skills when beginning a new task. Overcoming the fear of failure and developing good work habits will do wonders for those who tend to procrastinate.

The first step in overcoming procrastination is to recognize what psychological issues cause you to procrastinate in the first place. Self-defeating issues such as anxiety, fear, poor time management skills, indecisiveness, difficulty concentrating, and perfectionism can be major contributors to a lack of motivation. It's important to clarify your goals and then work to achieve them.

If you do not know how to manage your time efficiently, there are classes and literature available to help you learn. In order to change, you first have to accept and forgive yourself for your shortcomings. Do not expect to change overnight, expect to backslide on occasion and forgive yourself when this happens. Give yourself adequate credit for tasks you do accomplish in a timely manner.

If you have a friend or coworker who seems to be highly organized and efficient, ask for suggestions as to how you can do the same. Reward yourself for small steps taken towards your goals and be realistic in your expectations. As with any type of behavioral change, overcoming procrastination will not happen instantly. Change your work or study habits to minimize distractions and promote wise management of your time.

Be disciplined in your approach by setting a realistic goal and sticking to it. Setting priorities is critical in learning to manage your time in the most efficient manner. Do not dwell on setbacks or mistakes. Focus instead on success and soon enough you will stop dwelling on failure and instead come to expect the best from yourself.

Motivation is the key to achieving success at work and at home. Motivation comes from within. Coming to grips with personal issues is the first step in realizing why you procrastinate and then taking steps to change. If you focus on self-discipline and proper time management, you will be able to change those habits that led you to be a procrastinator in the first place.

You can get motivated and stay motivated by implementing a few changes and observing a few personal rules. Observing and copying those who seem to always be a step ahead is also an excellent tool in overcoming procrastination.

Realizing that procrastination is a self-imposed condition is an important step in changing those bad habits into a lifelong formula for success. Make your plan, follow it carefully, and forgive yourself for imperfections. You will soon transform yourself from a chronic procrastinator into a highly motivated, disciplined individual.

About The Author


Arina Nikitina is the author of the goal setting tutorial "How to Set and Achieve a Goal". Get 27 proven techniques, 9 worksheets, and step-by-step success plan here:

http://www.how-to-set-and-achieve-a-goal.com/

arina@goal-setting-guide.com

Now you know how to get motivated.


Friday, November 26, 2004

The Cure For Procrastination

Want to know the cure for procrastination? When you think about it... wouldn´t it be great if you found a cure for procrastination? Imagine the difference that would make to the quality of your life.

You need to discover the... The 'AAA' Cure For Procrastination!

You know the feeling.

There's something you want to do. You've thought about it, you've made your decision, and now it's time to act.

Except... you don't.

You want to take the next step, but "something" stops you. Do you know what that "something" is?

It's all down to our ancient ancestors...

Backtrack 100,000 years ago when we all lived in caves and ferocious animals lurked nearby.

Decision making in those days was literally a matter of life and death. If you took a wrong turn, or made yourself too visible, you would attract predators who would eat you for dinner. You and the entire group.

Whatever action you took, you had to be 100% certain before taking it. One mistake meant death.

Fast forward to today.

100,000 years on, and the human brain has evolved into a marvel of sophisticated intelligence. Unfortunately, it still contains the primitive thinking layer used by our ancestors.

And there lies the problem.

Because even today, we still have this overriding need for the elusive quality that enabled our primitive forebears to survive:

Certainty.

And so although the decisions we face nowadays are seldom a matter of life and death, they can often feel that way thanks to our genetic inheritance.

That's why the first step is always the hardest to take.

Anytime you decide to do something new, you are stepping outside "the cave of the familiar" into unknown territory where you are likely to experience some form of fear.

And this sense of discomfort is so strong, you'll do anything to avoid it.

Typical tricks include avoidance, delay, or "over- thinking"...

"Over-thinking" is when you continue to think about making a decision, long after you've actually decided! What you're really doing is creating a safe mental environment for yourself. By constantly thinking about something, it becomes familiar, and so you start to feel comfortable around it.

The problem with "over-thinking" is that it doesn't move you forward one tiny bit, and only results in wasted time and lost opportunities.

Ultimately, a decision is not a decision until it's acted upon. Until that point, it remains a dream.

Here's how to ease yourself out of procrastination and into action using what I call the "triple A" method...

Accept -> Ask -> Act

Step 1 - Accept

Accept uncertainty is a part of life.

Just by doing this, you'll become aware of your feelings surrounding a decision and put them into perspective by relating them to your own primeval craving for certainty.

Realize that even with the best analysis, careful planning, and due diligence, the outcome can never really be known in advance and there comes a time when you've got to take the risk and move forward.

Step 2 - Ask

Ask yourself: "What's the worst that can happen here?"

Look at the worst case scenario, and ask yourself what you'd really lose from it. Most often, it's a lot less than you might have feared.

And what can you do if the worst scenario was to materialize? Could you backtrack? Change direction? Start again? Few things are ever truly final.

Usually you'll find you've got nothing to worry about.

Step 3 - Act

Finally, act. Just do it. Take the next step.

Making a decision and acting on it is enormously liberating.

You get a sudden burst of momentum as you cast off the shackles of procrastination and finally move forward towards your goal.

The old maxim "If in doubt, leave it out" is essential advice when driving or engaging in other hazardous activities.

For most decisions in life, though, you can afford to take a little risk and start living.

The next time you feel stuck, use the 'AAA' technique to help you move forward.

"Accept. Ask. Act."

And freedom from procrastination is yours!

Learn how to think faster, read quicker, concentrate deeper, solve any problem and achieve anything you want. Visit: http://www.7StepsToMentalMastery.com

Now know the cure for procrastination!

Beat Procrastination At Work

How can you beat procrastination at work?

Beating procrastination is possible with a few tips that work...

The Feng Shui of Procrastination
by Vicky White

What does procrastination have to do with Feng Shui?
Actually, everything! Feng Shui is about the free flow of
energy in your environment and in yourself. It’s also about
creating environments that support your success and pull
you forward.

What’s the biggest thing that prevents that flow of energy?
Clutter. And what creates clutter? You've got it -
procrastination! You can procrastinate about anything -
things that seem difficult, and things you enjoy, such as
writing or taking that time to nurture yourself.

Do you have people to call, letters to answer, things you’ve
been putting off? Maybe you think they will be difficult,
or take a long time.

Maybe you wonder if your voice will
make a difference if you don't like something your
politicians are doing. How about your business?

Most people have at least one idea they haven’t got around to
that if put into action would make a difference to their
bottom line.

Procrastination puts you out of integrity with yourself. In
Feng Shui the Fame and Reputation area is about integrity.
It's how you are seen in the community - and that comes
right back to whether you walk your talk. Do you do what
you say you'll do? Are you being true to yourself and your
values?

When you don’t follow through on your ideas and intentions
energy blocks are created. It takes energy to avoid taking
action, and it takes energy to deal with the consequences.

Clutter is delayed decisions. It's procrastination. Its
stress. It's the same thing as putting a piece of paper in
that pile on your desk, telling yourself you'll deal with
it later.

As the piles grow, your energy becomes clogged.
Next thing you know you’re spending time looking through
your piles for information you've lost because you didn't
file your papers where they belonged - in files or in your
recycling bin.

There's a fine line between procrastination, and letting
the dust settle while you give yourself space to take
inspired action. And if you listen to that small voice
within you, you'll know which you are choosing.

Committing to action is a very different energy from
procrastination.

Tips for Creating an Environment of Action and Abundance

1. Get real about your procrastination habit. Can you take
a step back and even laugh at it?

2. Are you telling yourself you don't have time for that
project? Is it something you really want to do? How much
television do you watch? Is there something you need to
remove from your environment to have your life reflect your
priorities?

3. Make a commitment to others. Commitments have power. By
stating your intention to important people in your life you
will be making yourself accountable and creating an
environment of support.

4. Become a person who keeps their word. The Fame &
Reputation area is directly opposite the Career & Life
Purpose area on the Bagua, which means passion,
authenticity, flow, integrity and visibility are all
connected.

Where is your energy blocked? What are you not
following through on with others, or in a promise to
yourself?

5. Are you waiting for the eleventh hour somewhere in your
life? This could be a project due on a certain date, a
commitment made to someone, or a dream you are assuming you
have forever to live. Make a start now. Starting is often
the hardest part and you will be setting something in
motion.

6. Schedule time for planning. Instead of wondering where
to start on a project you will know exactly what to do
next. Break it down into small pieces, put them in your
schedule, and give each a time limit so it doesn't expand
out forever.

7. Create a physical environment that reflects who you
are. Live with colors, items, clothes you love, and of
course clear the clutter. A clear desk and office space
will support your creativity and prosperity.

8. Hang out with successful and positive people who uplift
you. You become like the people you are with, so it's
important to create an environment of people who will
support your success.

9. Take a renewal day each week to make space for
nourishment and inspiration. This is a day for you, with
no work, emails, or errands. You're making space for
inklings and synchronicity to emerge and for you to hear
them.

10. Work with a Coach who will support you in bridging the
gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
Having a Coach in your corner enables you to be, do and
have so much more.

To discover where different aspects of your life are
represented in your home or office,
See http://www.LifeDesignStrategies.com/BaguaMap.html

© 2003, Vicky White. All rights reserved. May be
duplicated with attribution and copyright notice intact.
http://www.LifeDesignStrategies.com/

Now, go on and beat procrastination at work.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Procrastination Help

Do you need help dealing with procrastination?

Most people do at some point because we all procrastinate at times - thankfully procrastination help is available so read on for some great tips...

How to Avoid Procrastination
by Jan Tincher

Do you procrastinate? Do you remember the last time you procrastinated? It didn’t feel so great, did it? How often did you regret not doing what you procrastinated doing? Bugged you, didn’t it?

Well, let’s do something about it. OK? Are you ready?

Sit down and relax. Get ready to visualize.

Imagine you are in a good environment. Describe where you are, what you see. Look at what it is you are procrastinating over. You are in the picture. How do you look? How do you feel? Describe your thoughts with all the actions.

Are the pictures you’re making in your mind clear or fuzzy? Close or far away? Color or black and white? Is there movement or noise? Do you visualize what you are procrastinating over differently than everything else in the picture? Is most of your picture clear, but what you are procrastinating over fuzzy? Is what you are procrastinating over farther away in the picture?

Now, let’s say the procrastination area is fuzzy and small and the other things are clear and large. Why don’t you put a frame around the clear image, and make the frame white. Now, put a blue frame around the procrastination area. And, just like that, switch the two images. Now, the procrastinating image will be clear and large and the other will be small and fuzzy.

Now, can you enhance the procrastinating scene so that the image is all around you, front, back, and both sides? Now, really enhance the picture, so much that the other image in the blue frame has disappeared.

How about that? Wasn’t that fantastic?

Now, on the other side of the coin, wouldn’t you like to use procrastination where it will do you the most good? After all, you did it so well, why don’t you learn to use it where it’s needed?

Remember, all you really have to do is diminish the image of whatever it is you really don’t want to do, and enhance the image of the activity that you want to do.

When a person doesn’t want to do something, they usually substitute doing something else in its place. Something they’d rather do. Invariably, they will create a strong bright image for the thing they’d rather do. Learn how your mind works. Change it so it works for you.

Procrastination is a wonderful, positive resource, if used in the right way. Why don’t you procrastinate smoking, drinking, overeating, etc.? Think of all the great things with which you can replace anger, resentment, jealousy, guilt or any other negative things in your life! How about your feelings about old age, illnesses, or any bad habits?

Procrastinate your negative reactions away! Procrastinate Procrastination!

Copyright 2003, Jan Tincher, All Rights Reserved Worldwide

DISCLAIMER: Jan Tincher and/or *Tame Your Brain!* do not guarantee or warrant that the techniques and strategies portrayed will work for everyone. The techniques and strategies are general in nature and may not apply to everyone. The techniques and strategies are not intended to substitute for obtaining medical advice from the medical profession. Always consult your own professionals before making any life-changing decisions.

Learn a relaxation technique online at Http://www.TameYourBrain.com

Publishers, you are welcome to reprint this article in its entirety provided you retain the above resource box and include this notice, plus notify us of the day(s) you will be running it.

(To contact this author, Email: jan@tameyourbrain.com)


Did you enjoy this help dealing with procrastination?

How to Beat Procrastination Today

A great article on how to beat procrastination. After all until you can beat procrastination you are not in control of your work life.

Read on for some great tips on how to beat procrastination today!

Is Procrastination Paralyzing Your Business?
by Diana Pemberton-Sikes

From The Bright Ideas Bulletin, June, 2000

"If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done."--Anony.

Are you a procrastinator? Do you put things off until the last minute until you have to rush to get them done? Does it cause you untold anxiety? Does it drive your family nuts?

Are you paralyzing your business because of it?

If so, this article's for you.

As a procrastinator of long standing and the owner of a new dot com company, I recently made a starting discovery: Procrastination and the Internet do not mix. This medium is for the "movers and the shakers," not the "wait and seers."

The revelation caused some deep introspection and has had a profound impact on my business. I'll tell you how in just a moment.

First, let me say that if you're putting off starting or growing a business, the fastest way to do so is by understanding WHY you're putting off the necessary action.

"I don't have time," or "I just haven't gotten around to it," are lame excuses that won't get you anything. To get your "rear in gear," you need to understand the root of the problem...the REAL reason why you're putting off doing what needs to be done.

Here are some that dot my past:

1. Little or No Belief in the Idea

Several years ago, my husband talked me into starting a business opportunity with him. It was a sound company with a long history, but I just couldn't muster the same enthusiasm as my spouse.

While he worked hard to cultivate leads and make sales, I kept the books. While he went out and talked to strangers, I counted and cleaned the inventory. And while he made phone call after phone call, I made sure all the sales materials were in good shape and tallied up the gas mileage.

In short, I kept really busy doing everything I could to keep from being on the front line with him.

Why? Because I had no belief in the product. Unfortunately, my charade didn't fool him, and it became a source of friction between us for several months. When he finally grew tired of "going it alone" and decided to quit, I breathed a sigh of relief.

The Lesson: If you don't believe in something, don't pretend you do - not even to please someone else. There are too many ways to make money doing something you like - go find one of them and stop stalling for time.

2. Being a Perfectionist

Perfectionism and procrastination often go hand-in-hand. Now I know this seems crazy to a logical person of action, but it's true.

Rather than start early to make sure everything is "perfect" upon the deadline, the procrastinating perfectionist will spend her lead time thinking of the grand and glorious presentation, and how she's going to completely upstage everyone else. Then she'll get started at the last minute, fully expecting to complete her masterpiece AND meet her deadline.

In the end, she'll either lose sleep to bring her vision to life, or apologize profusely for having fallen short of her lofty goal.

The Lesson: While I know it goes against everything you know, LAY THE FOUNDATION EARLY, then go back and add the details later. You'll be far more please with the results, and be awake enough to enjoy the oohs and aahs.

3. Cadillac Idea, Chevy Budget

This is an extension of perfectionism.

It goes like this: you have an idea for a business. You know EXACTLY how you want it to be, down to the last detail. It's marvelous, it's one of a kind.

And because you have such high standards, you won't settle for anything less.

You start doing some research...and find you're WAY out of your price range. Since you won't settle for anything less than your ideal - no compromising - you put your idea on the shelf and do nothing.

Here's a true story:

Barbara danced and taught dance for many years until she quit to raise her family. Once the kids were in school, she took a clerical job to help make ends meet; but she never enjoyed it as much as she had liked teaching dance. So after her long hiatus, she decided to return to the dance world.

Her ultimate goal was to have a home business by transforming her garage into a dance studio. In the beginning, however, she had no cash for such a renovation, and she refused to go into debt to make it happen. Instead, she got on the phone and called around, and managed to rent space during the off hours in a couple of competing dance studios.

She kept her clerical job and taught at night and on weekends, steadily building her enrollment. By the third year, she was able to quit the day job and move the studio to her house. It was her primary income for nearly twenty years until her recent retirement.

Meanwhile, her youngest daughter blossomed into a talented ballerina who danced with several international companies.

A perfectionist in all things, Alicia found that the garage studio paled in comparison to the commercial studios she'd danced in during her travels.

At one point, she, like her mother, left dancing to become a wife and mother. When she longed to return to the dance world to teach, she decided that nothing short of a big commercial studio would do. After doing a little research, the sticker shock forced her to put the dream on the shelf.

She would settle for nothing less than her ultimate goal.

Today she works as an insurance salesperson, her ballerina days a distant memory.

The Lesson: While having big dreams is great, setting goals too far out of your reach creates anger, frustration, and inaction. Break your goals into smaller, manageable chunks. Instead of having your ultimate goal as Phase I, make it Phase V or VI, with distinct steps in between. Don't think of it as settling for less; think of it as a building a foundation of greatness.

4. Not Fully Understanding Part of the Process

A lot of people will do almost everything they need to do to get the job done, then stop just short of the finish line because they're not entirely sure of the next step. The end's in sight, they can see it, but they don't know precisely how to get there from here. So, they either tread water or quit.

This was part of my problem in launching my website.

I spent months and months reading, researching, lurking, and trying to figure out how to set up and market my website. I bought the guru books and completely redesigned my site -- three times. While I tweaked and poked and prodded, I saw other sites grow and flourish, and I began to wonder what my problem was.

One day, I happened across a website that I had visited and bought from a year earlier. Since the product was good and would be of value to my visitors, I emailed the owner and asked if he had an affiliate program.

His answer? "What's an affiliate program?"

My first thought was "where has HE been?"

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

While I'd been learning everything I possibly could about marketing a business on the web, he was making money.

While I subscribed and faithfully read scores of marketing ezines, he was marketing...and making money.

And while I was trying to figure out which of the thousands of marketing ideas to try, he was busy maintaining top search engine rankings and, you guessed it -- making money.

You don't have to do everything you read about. Just DO SOMETHING - DO being the operative word here.

A few days later, I bought and devoured "Make Your Knowledge Sell!" (http://myks.sitesell.com/nifty.html) by Ken Evoy and Monique Harris. In it, Monique talks about marketing your creations, and gives a laundry list of what to do: Monday do this, Tuesday do this, Wednesday do this, etc.

This "follow the dots" approach really worked for me, because I finally knew where to begin. Being "Marketing Challenged," I had so immersed myself in "how to market on the web" that I'd gone into information overload and couldn't figure out where to start. A little direction was all it took.

The Lesson: Sometimes it's hard to admit that you don't know everything. But if you want to succeed, you have to follow the steps for success and not avoid the parts you don't like or know nothing about. Either hire someone to do them for you, or learn what needs to be done AND MAKE AND FOLLOW a plan of execution.

5. Not Being Organized

Another procrastinator characteristic. Often, it's because we've taken on more than we can handle and can't devote the appropriate time to any one task.

Here are some tips for getting organized:

A. Handle everything ONCE. Emails, paper, requests, etc. Act up, file, or dump. Don't leave things hanging around, cluttering your desk, office, house, or mind.

B. Plan your day. Set aside time every day to plan what you need to do the next. Make it "do-able" -- don't overload your schedule.

If you constantly find that you can't get everything done, either get some help or take a good look at your schedule to eliminate time wasters like unproductive meetings, chit chat, or routine tasks that are better delegated or outsourced.

C. Break large projects into smaller pieces. Trying to do it all at once creates confusion and stress. Plan it out, then assign due dates for each piece.

D. Allow time for interruptions.They happen. Figure out when yours occur most often (Monday morning, Friday at 4pm), and plan to be available during those times. You, your staff, and your customers will be very grateful for your consideration.

E. Assign deadlines. If you don't, it won't get done.

So, now that you understand some of the reasons why you might be putting off starting or growing a business, address the situation and move forward. Get yourself out of the way, and get on with the business of business.

Good luck!

Diana Pemberton-Sikes is the author of "10 Simple Ways To Boost Your Income", which features dozens of simple ways to start or expand a business using your EXISTING knowledge, skills, and interests. To learn more, visit her website, www.niftybusinessideas.com.

Now you know how to beat procrastination today!

How to Overcome Procrastination - Tips

This article has some great tips that will help you to overcome procrastination.

And we all know how important it is to finally overcome procrastination!

Ten Tips to Help You Overcome Procrastination
by Kathy Paauw

Select one idea from the list below and make a commitment to yourself to create a new habit by making it a part of your daily routine.

1. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Break larger projects into manageable "bites" and create a timeline for yourself to accomplish these smaller tasks.

2. Remember that each project expands to the time allotted to it, so set a limit for yourself: "I am going to return all my phone calls in one hour." "I will file papers for 30 minutes." "I will spend 15 minutes picking up around the house." Set a timer. You will be amazed how much you can get done when you focus your time.

3. Check your self-talk. Do you frequently say, "I gotta...," "I should...," or "I have to..."? Replace this self-talk with "I choose to..." and recognize that you are at choice about what you do. If you don't choose to do it, don't do it!

4. Eat a live toad first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day. Tackle that "toad" -- the task you have been putting off, the one that's hanging over your head -- because it will lift an immense load and you will feel much more productive.

5. Train yourself to trim the F.A.T. When papers come into your office or home, give yourself these three choices: File, Act, Toss. (Note that "I'll just put it here for now" is not one of the choices.)

6. Relieve yourself of the stress caused by all of the clutter in your home and office by setting up some systems to manage the paper in your life. A good filing system and a tickler file system are essential elements. For instructions on setting up an effective tickler system, visit http://www.orgcoach.net/companystore/tickler_file.html.

7. Make a weekly appointment with yourself to plan your coming week. During your planning session, schedule important activities and tasks so you have a concrete plan for following through with your intentions.

8. When planning your time, include both urgent (time- sensitive) and non-urgent but important activities in your plan. An example of an urgent activity might be a meeting or a project with an upcoming deadline. A non-urgent activity might be exercise or relationship-building -- something important but not time-sensitive or deadline-driven.

9. Make appointments with yourself to get administrative work done, such as paying bills or catching up with your reading. Treat this time as you would an appointment with someone else.

10. Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to put things away and look at the calendar for the next day. Gather what you need ahead of time so you will be prepared for tomorrow.

Other action ideas...

Start a Worry Log and check it monthly. What percent of your fears actually come true?

When you are aware that fear is holding you back, follow the
four-step FEAR process (available at http://www.orgcoach.net/newsletter/v3issue3.html to help get you unstuck.


Kathy Paauw, President of Paauwerfully Organized, specializes in helping busy executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs declutter their schedules, spaces and minds. She is a certified business/personal coach and professional organizer. Contact her at mailto:orgcoach@gte.net or visit her website at http://www.orgcoach.net and learn how you can Find ANYTHING in 5 Seconds - Guaranteed!


We all know how important it is to finally overcome procrastination!

How to Beat Procrastination and Get Motivated

How to Get Motivated and Have Industrial Strength Self-Motivation
by Peter Murphy

It is not your fault if popular self-help courses have never
worked for you over the long term.

How to get motivated is not adequately dealt with.

Why?

Because generally speaking there are problems with the
material you have read and listened to in these courses:

To appeal to a wider audience the self-help experts often
leave out the more complex and the more powerful concepts
and techniques - the best ones for getting motivated!

Instead you get a burst of short-term inspiration that
cannot and will not last. While the best material is only
taught to a small group of enthusiasts who are willing to
pay extra for it.

The irony is that the most powerful techniques, although
sometimes unusual, are understandable and effective for most
people. As long as you are taught a step-by-step approach
you can follow to get motivated.

It is usually the explanation of why it works that leaves
people totally confused. But as long as you have the how-to
you can start getting results right away and get motivated.

As a result of the decision to leave out the best material
you end up learning some simple ideas that work only when
you already feel positive and dynamic.

For example, someone tells you to get motivated and to give
it your best. If you are feeling unmotivated a pep talk
like that will do you very little good.

Imagine what it would be like if instead you could tune in
your motivation in the same way you tune in a TV. Well you
can once you know how to.

And this is possible for you only when you discover the step
by step approach that unleashes the dormant motivation power
inside you.

Knowing what to do is very different from knowing how to do
it.

Many self help courses teach you what to do but not how to
do it or how to stay motivated over time.

As a result you may feel wiser AND more frustrated! At least
before you did not know what to do --- now you know what to
do but cannot do it.

Stay clear of any material that does not focus on the how to
of motivation. And make sure you get the key distinctions
you need to master the strategies.

For example, we have all heard a lot about the importance of
goal setting. And we might even write our goals down and
review them from time to time.

But how do you explain your lack of interest in pursuing
your goals? Your lack of motivation?

It is because an essential element is missing from the goal
setting process.

Unless your goals are in alignment with your highest values
and they feel right for you it is highly unlikely you will
achieve them.

In fact, you may sabotage your efforts to get ahead. And all
your work will be characterized by lethargy and seemingly
never ending and tiring effort.

To sum up - look for practical self-motivation material that
takes powerful processes and breaks them down into simple
step by step systems.

And realize that knowing what to do is pointless unless you
know how to.

Spend a little time each day conditioning your mind and you
will be astounded at your rapid progress....

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently
produced a very popular free report, the 5 Step Motivation
Report. Apply now because it is available for a limited
time only at:

http://www.getmotivatedstaymotivated.com/special.htm

Monday, November 22, 2004

How To Handle Procrastination

Want to know how to handle procrastination? Here are some tips that can help you to take charge and finally get a handle on procrastination...

Handling Procrastination
By Matthew Clement

“TIME CANNOT BE ‘MANAGED.’ THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT IS A BIT OBSCURE. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE MANAGED IS YOUR ACTIVITIES WITHIN THAT TIME.”

I am quite confident I have never had an original idea in my entire life. What I have done, however, is create new ways of expressing old ideas. In this respect, I now invite you to approach, with a new perspective, the way you manage your activities.

Need-to, Ought-to, Can-do

Say it a few times to yourself: “Need-to, Ought-to, Can-do.” Tongue-twisting aside, it represents three categories, within which falls everything that you are presently capable of. (Any activity that you are not presently capable of would perhaps fall into a forth category of “Can’t-do,” and yet I would submit that if you are spending much time considering what you cannot do, you are not only mismanaging your time—you’re throwing it away!)

Within the Need-to category would be everything that must be done in a given day or week, the absence of which would lead to a significant negative result. Showing up to work, feeding the dog, bathing—these fall clearly within this category. The next category, Ought-to, includes all activities that, if completed, would likely create a positive overall result. Returning phone calls on time, getting adequate sleep, and keeping your car maintained are such examples. Finally, the Can-do category represents everything else (again excluding what is beyond your present capacity). Activities within this category have either been previously judged as not worth doing, or have yet to be judged at all. In other words, you have not, as of yet, determined it reasonable to place such an activity within the Ought-to or Need-to categories.

An example may help illustrate the concept: Suppose I’ve just discovered that my friend is looking for a place to stay for the week while he’s in town. I do live in a home, so this prospective activity is a Can-do, simply because it exists as a possibility. He then tells me that he is bringing several expensive bottles of wine as gifts for whomever he ends up staying with. Assuming I like wine, and all else being equal, this activity is now an Ought-to. At some point before he arrives in town, I confirm with him that I would like him to stay for the week. The event is now a Need-to; as to back out of the arrangement would cause a loss of friendship.

Feel free to use your own examples—you’ll find that everything possible does, in fact, meet one of these three criteria. This thereby sets a foundation for the prioritization of your daily and weekly activities. And yet, this article is on the topic of procrastination, prioritization’s nasty cousin, so we’re not done yet.

Focusing In

The Need-to’s must, without question, be completed. These have never really been a problem—there’s simply no room to procrastinate. At the other end, the Can-do’s are not relevant here because you can only procrastinate what has been judged as worth doing. What we are left with, therefore, are the Ought-to’s. And you’ll find quite consistently that the Ought-to’s are giving you all of your problems when it comes to putting things off. These are the things that you know you should do, and yet, they often do not have a strict deadline, nor would failing to complete them lead to any immediate or significant detriment. What is noteworthy, however, is that over time, their combined significance does indeed lead to great significance. In the end, the direction of that significance (positive or negative) all rests on your ability to handle them timely and effectively.

A Solution

Detailed prioritization is vital—if you are unwilling to accept that, you must truly want to improve. Step #1 is to schedule your Need-to’s—they are almost always time sensitive. Step #2 is to address your Ought-to’s, and they will fall within one of three sub-categories: (a) Do Now! (b) Do Later, strategically! (c) Eliminate!

Ought-to’s should always be done immediately, unless doing so at a later time would be strategically more valuable and more efficient, or unless the activity has been inaccurately defined as an Ought-to in the first place. Frequently, we categorize activities as Ought-to’s for reasons that do not logically support the claim. When you have isolated instances where your rationale was incorrect, don’t belabor the issue; just eliminate the task from your consideration! Of those that are rationally based, it is worth repeating that the only reason you choose to complete an activity at a later date is because it makes more sense to do it at that time than to do it now. Perhaps the task has a prerequisite that needs to be addressed first. In any case, if you cannot find reasonable grounds for doing it later, you should do it now or not at all.

Such a policy is uncomfortable at first. It requires judgment, which a procrastinating mind loathes. And while the very nature of procrastinating is to avoid judgment at all cost, if you will apply this model to your daily activities, you will find that judgment is actually quite liberating, and that prioritization of your activities will shift from a challenge to second-nature.

Matthew Clement is a financial planner and advisor with Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC. He provides wealth management and retirement planning to individuals and businesses. He can be reached at (845) 942-8578, or by email: ClementM@FinancialNetwork.com.

These tips can help you to take charge and finally get a handle on procrastination... now all you need to do is use them!


Overcome Procrastination Secrets

Want to know the secrets to overcoming procrastination? Yes, there are secrets to overcoming procrastination - once you learn what they are beating procrastination will be a piece of cake...

The Secrets to Overcome Procrastination
By Judith Ann Kirk

Webster defines procrastination as a means to defer or delay action until an opportunity is lost. If you could change only one habit, eliminating procrastination would be the one that will put you on the roadway to success. The tendency to procrastinate devours time. Opportunities come knocking at the door in a multitude of ways – some as gentle as a wave upon the sand and others as turbulent as a tidal wave. These moments hit when you least expect or want them. Learn to embrace change and take advantage of opportunities. If you turn your back, you just might be missing something special. Quite often, you discover wonderful lessons in the messiest of challenges.

Someone once wrote, "Procrastination is the only thing I have time for!" Is this statement true for you, too? Do you possess a bag full of excuses or promise yourself that you will start first thing tomorrow morning? Here are some reasons people use to justify procrastination and how you might overcome this handicap while getting organized.

1. This project is too overwhelming!

If you believe you do not have enough time to complete a project and think you will find the needed time later, you are only deceiving yourself. Eventually you realize that the probable time never comes. Yes, you are procrastinating. You fill your days with busyness and miss the opportunities.

The first step to avoid procrastination is to take time to plan. Get out some paper and a pen and divide overwhelming tasks into manageable components. Then schedule 15-minute blocks of time on your daily calendar to accomplish each mini-step. Just the act of scheduling an appointment with yourself increases the probability that you will do it.

All large tasks or activities can be broken down into small increments. Alan Lakein, author of "How To Get Control of Your Time and Your Life" describes the "Swiss Cheese" technique: work on a small portion of the task for fifteen minutes each day, making small holes in the overwhelming project until it looks like Swiss cheese and finally disappears altogether. Approaching large tasks this way, eliminates the feeling of being overwhelmed.

2. It is just a little task and can wait!

Small chores are easily pushed to the background in favor of more important stuff. Most of these little tasks have to be done at some point; they are the little irritants that constantly prick you. You do not like to do them, so you push them aside. The tendency to procrastinate on a small job eventually increases the stress involved when you come to the realization that it must be done now. However, once start, it usually is not quite as bad as you anticipated.

Somewhere in the back of your mind you think that if you procrastinate long enough the task will disappear or something in the future will eliminate the necessity of doing it. Pressure develops when you fail to accomplish the small job and now it must be done at an inconvenient time or the price is higher than if you had done it before.

The longer you put off the small tasks, the more you must worry about finding the time to do them. As long you procrastinate, you increase anxiety and stress. You may even become ineffective and inefficient. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. As Harold Taylor wrote, "Whenever you put off today’s tasks, you add to tomorrow’s burdens."

You know you will have to do it eventually, so why drag out the inevitable. Take action today by scheduling time needed to get the chore completed. One of the best things you can do for yourself is set aside enough time to complete the small stuff. There is relief when the job is done. The oppressive weight will be lifted from your shoulders. Get into the JUST DO IT NOW habit. Dig right in and enjoy the accomplishment.

3. I don’t have time to do it perfectly!

Perfection tendencies — over-planning, over-organization, over-cleanliness, over-conscientiousness — are significant factors in procrastination. The need for perfect labels on the file folders, pens and pencils sorted into proper containers, supply closets that are the model of perfection and boxes of paper separated and lined up evenly, support procrastination tendencies. It is exhausting to contemplate a project when there is a need to complete it perfectly.

This is not what organizing is all about. You are sabotaging a project when you impose standards that have more to do with an ideal of perfection than with functional efficiency. Having all the ducks in a perfect row is fine as long as the thought of accomplishing it is not paralyzing. The goal is effectiveness and efficiency, not perfection. Life is not perfect and there are no guarantees. So start the task today by scheduling daily blocks of time to accomplish small steps and a pleasant surprise is in store. Momentum builds upon small successes, not the perfections of life.


Judith Kirk, owner of Organizing Resources, provides organizing and coaching services to individuals seeking a simpler life. She teaches the concepts of being proactive and the skills of combating overconsumption. Judith is editor and publisher of a free e-newsletter, Lighten the Load, centering on the art of simplicity. For more information visit her website:

http://www.organizingresources.com/

So you see overcoming procrastination is possible. Start beating procrastination today.

More Motivation Tips for Work

Do you want more tips for staying motivated at work? This article has some good advice on how to get motivated in the office and how to stay motivated all day long at work.

There is More to Motivation Than Meets the Coffee
By Dali Singh

The stress of unemployment can really take a toll on ones confidence and state of mind. For some individuals, it could lead to depression, for others – a mere lack of motivation and feeling of hopelessness. Employment is one of the main structures that helps individuals in our society to feel positive, develop financial independence, as well as establish hope for the future.

Even for those with jobs, motivation is a hard state to attain and maintain. Businesses are losing thousands of hours' worth of productivity each year - with staff being distracted from their jobs by everything from 'cyber-surfing to taking 5 coffee breaks a day (which by the way may leave you broke considering the raise in recent coffee prices).

In a recent survey conducted by silicon.com, results found that “While cyber-loafing was identified by 23 per cent of respondents as the main obstacle to a productive workforce, 'low staff morale and lack of motivation' was identified by 32 per cent of respondents.”

So, besides the short-term benefits of early morning coffee consumption, what are some alternatives to getting motivated for work?

Stimulate your mind and your mouth

It has been proven time and time again that having breakfast in the morning gives you a nutritional boost both physically and mentally. But what about emotionally – can breakfast alone be enough to get you motivated for your day? Getting your day off on the right start doesn’t mean walking into your office on a full stomach. It means walking in on a full stomach and a full set of ideas.

Participating in mental activities like doing a crossword puzzle or meditating can really sharpen your mind within a short period of time. If neither exercises appeal to you, then pick up the newspaper or read a book that is relevant to your line of work. By doing so, you may be able to get fresh new ideas for your business, or learn more about new industry trends.

You’ve got mail! Get your daily dose of wisdom

My favorite time of the day is when I get inspirational quotes in my inbox. You can subscribe to a few inspirational newsletters by browsing the Web. My personal favorite is the John Baines Forum (www.ihpny.org). The minute I finish reading them, I instantly feel a powerful connection between my mind and spirit – the 2 most essential ingredients for outer productivity and inner happiness.

Get outside the (office) box

Ever heard of the phrase “Being so close to the forest that you can’t see the trees”? Well, a lot of times people experience this in their work environments – and rightfully so! Your environment determines your level of productivity and it is not always easy to see the trees (ideas) when you are always in the forest (office). Some times the best remedy is getting outside the box - I mean, office. If you have a meeting in your office with a client, see if you can rearrange it to your favorite neighborhood café instead. Not only does this provide a more relaxed setting for both individuals, but also allows you to connect more on a human level.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with your time and energy, turn off you computer, take a walk outside, and breathe deeply. If this doesn’t help, see if there are any seminars or roundtables you can attend that week on time management and fatigue.

Start your week with a weekly report

Whether you have a job or not, the most important thing to do before your “work week” starts is writing down all the goals you have for that week. Make sure to put a specific timeline on completing your goals. That way, you will be accountable to yourself if you miss your deadline. Set aside punishments and rewards to keep yourself in check.

I personally like to print my weekly report and tape it to my desk so it is always in front of me. Always have a highlighter right next to you so that when you finish, you mark off what you have completed. If you are computer savvy, you may use programs like ACT or Outlook.

In sum, true motivation lies within your heart. If you cannot find it there, it may be because you lack the resources, techniques, and appropriate environment that is conducive to your personal productivity. If these resources are aligned properly, not only will you be able to reach your highest levels of motivation, you may be able to reduce your monthly spending habits at your local Starbucks!

Dali Singh is the Managing Director for Blueliner Marketing (www.bluelinermarketing.com), a full-service marketing and communications firm. Dali is also a member of the Institute for Hermetic Philosophy, a spiritual school that provides tools to assist people in developing themselves on a personal and practical level. Visit www.ihpny.org or sign up for weekly inspirational quotes at http://www.ihpny.org/template.asp?page=mailing.

Motivation For Sales Success

Anyone else want motivation for sales success? Motivation is critical for success in sales. For many people the ability to sustain lasting motivation is the key success factor that ensures their success.

Achieving Sales Goals Requires Drive & Motivation
By Shamus Brown

How did you do this past year on your sales goals?

Did you write your goals down?

Did your review them frequently, and revise them as conditions changed? Or did you set them at the beginning of the year, and forget about them by February?

What do you most want this coming year?

The first and most basic step to getting what you want is to know what that is, and to constantly remind yourself of that. Goal setting is an important skill. One that you've may have read about and heard about many times before. It only works though if you do it.

Sales Goals & Reasons
Start with the end in mind. What is the result that you want? Give yourself the freedom to think big. Picture a big compelling goal that you really, really want. While envisioning this picture, how you make it happen is not important right now. The important thing is to get started, thinking big about what it is that you most want. Later we'll deal with how you get it. Your focus should be on what you want.

Sales goals should be expressed in ways that compel us to achieve them. The human brain directs us to creating what we focus on, good or bad. Start by writing down your goal. The more specific you make your goal the better. Create the picture in your mind and write down specific quantities, dates or time periods, places, people, etc.

Now make the image of your goal really compelling. Make it in color, add sounds, feelings, movement and sensations to it. Find or make a picture of it and carry it around in your pocket, purse or daytimer or post it prominently on your office, bedroom, or bathroom wall. Carry a symbol or icon of your goal around with you, constantly reminding yourself of what you are going for.

Now that you know what you want, its time to get clear about *why* you want it. Your reasons for your desires are the drive that will cause you to get what you want. Get big enough reasons, and you can accomplish anything.

Let me give you an example. Let's say you want a big, fat six- figure income this year. That's the sales goal - a big, fat six-figure income. But this is really not specific enough. So you refine this and say that you want to make $300,000.00 in income this year. Good, now your goal is specific and timed.

So what are your reasons for wanting this goal? Upon asking yourself this question, maybe you answer that this will make you feel more powerful, successful, and capable. Or you say that you will be able to afford a nice home for your family, an education for your kids, and financial independence at an early age.

Now these are reasons that motivate a person. Much more exciting than just stating a number.

Setting goals alone is more than most people do in life. If you write down your goals, AND review them frequently, you are well on your way to accomplishing what you want. But when the obstacles start coming and getting in your way, you will need real drive and determination to keep going and not give up. Determining and writing down your reasons for wanting your goals will give you the drive and the power necessary to make them happen.

Write down your sales goals, being timed and specific. Write down your reasons for why you want your goals. Get pictures, symbols or icons that you can post up or carry around with you to constantly remind you of what you want and why.

© 1999-2004 Shamus Brown, All Rights Reserved.

Shamus Brown is a Professional Sales Coach and former high-tech sales pro who began his career selling for IBM. Shamus has written more than 50 articles on selling and is the creator of the popular Persuasive Selling Skills CD Audio Program. You can read more of Shamus Brown's sales tips at http://Sales-Tips.industrialEGO.com/ and you can learn more about his persuasive sales skills training at http://www.Persuasive-Sales-Skills.com/

motivation principles

the principles of motivation need to be understood. Once you grasp them these motivation principles will serve you in your efforts to get ahead.

The DNA of Motivation
By George Ebert

It really is about motivation. After all, what impels someone to climb a mountain, or go to college, or save for a car, or learn a new language or anything of a thousand things? What is it that moves someone to action from a position of comfortable stasis? The answer is motivation. Motivation is the process of stimulating you to action. It takes a need, desire or some other impulse and incites a response. Motivation is the high-octane fuel of success and, as such, it’s vital that individuals and teams capitalize on its power.

Often motivation seems to occur spontaneously -- the result of apparently random events. But random motivation isn’t the stuff of greatness - to say the least of profitability, innovation and success. It’s imperative that team makers and leaders cultivate and nurture motivation throughout the life of a project. Fortunately, motivation is relatively easy to create. In fact, it can be reduced to a formula: M = (D+ A)U. That is, motivation equals dissonance plus accountability, multiplied by urgency. This is the DNA of motivation. It’s the essence of what will fire individual imagination and resiliently drive action. Contained within this simple formula are the seeds of phenomenal success.

Beyond the DNA of motivation, bringing clarity to a project is one of the fundamental challenges of team makers and leaders. The most successful teams will always operate with a lively, yet focused motivation. In some ways, motivation is like turning on a light bulb. Light from the bulb instantly floods the room. The same light, however, when focused, becomes a laser with vastly more powerful applications. The ability to create this laser-like focus determines who will reach the summit and who will simply mark time in the base camp.

The single best way to achieve focus is to set realistic goals. Interestingly, the word, “goal,” is one of the oldest in the English language. Originally it meant, “barrier,” or, “boundary.” Today we think of a goal as an objective or purpose to which we direct our energy. The older version, however, imparts a fuller flavor to the concept of Fifth Station goals. At the Fifth Station, goals always follow motivation. That is, they are always set at the far boundaries of our capabilities because they reflect not only where we are, but also where we want to be.

We’ve looked at the DNA of motivation and at how goals can provide laser-like focus, but what about implementation. How do we actually go about achieving our goals? The answer is through planning. This should come as no surprise, as every goal contains a nascent plan. Since goals tell us where we are going and provide an objective measure of success, they suggest the strategy that we’ll need to follow. With very simple goals, plan and goal are synonymous. However, as the complexity of the goal increases, the requirement for a separate plan grows as well.

Team makers and leaders can foster success by consciously applying the DNA of motivation, building clear goals and by promoting appropriate team planning.

George Ebert is the President of Trinity River Seminars and Consulting, a firm specializing in the custom design and delivery of team building, personal growth and ethical development programs. Mr. Ebert is a highly sought after speaker, educator and consultant with over thirty years experience in both the public and private sectors. He has presented widely throughout the Unites States. He is the author of the management cult classic, Climbing From the Fifth Station: A guide to building teams that work!

http://www.trinityriverseminars.com/

Motivation Keys

Ever wonder what the key to lasting motivation is? Well, in this post we look at the essential seven motivation keys that unlock the door to success.

A new article: The Seven Keys to Motivation By Nancy Wurtzel

Motivation. It’s a complicated subject that is studied by many and understood by few. Virtually every aspect of human life -- from the mundane to the life-changing -- is guided, swayed and altered by motivating factors.

For instance, what to have for dinner may be motivated by a desire to lose or gain weight. Whether or not to attend a business seminar may be motivated by the speakers, location and cost. When and where to buy new clothing may be motivated by a long list of personal preferences as well as the changing seasons and weather conditions.

Even reading this article is a motivated behavior. Do you like the style of writing? Are you curious about the subject matter? Do you have a desire to learn new information? Do you have enough time to finish reading? If the answers are no, you probably won’t continue reading!

But since you have continued, you are obviously motivated. You want to learn more about how to get and stay motivated, and how this motivation can help you become a better business owner.

THE BUSINESS OF MOTIVATION Motivation is one of the most powerful driving forces in the workplace. It can mean the difference between tremendous success and failure.

Motivation stems from two sources. The first part of motivation is external or extrinsic (outside the person) sources. Other motivating factors come from internal forces, which are mainly your thoughts, patterns and collective experiences.

However, humans are unique, so what motivates Jack will not necessarily motivate Jill. You -- and only you -- will be able to determine what works.

Take the time to examine what internal and external factors are motivating you as a business owner. What can you do to enhance and refine your motivation to make yourself more productive and more fulfilled?

Here are seven keys to motivation that may prove helpful.

1. INSPIRATION Inspiration is critical to getting and staying motivated. If you are not interested in your business, your motivation level will never be high and you won’t be able to sustain interest for very long.

On the flip side, if you are energized and excited about the work you are doing, you will have more persistence, energy and intensity.

Take an honest look at your inspiration level. Are you excited about going to work or is it an obligation? You would be surprised at the number of people who choose a business that looks good on paper, but in reality does not interest them in the least. These individuals will grow weary and uninterested pretty quickly because they have no inspiration or passion to sustain them during the difficult times they will encounter as a small business owner.

If you don’t really enjoy your work, then think how you can re-focus your small business to better match your needs. Or consider making a change entirely. That’s pretty drastic advice, but inspiration is that important.

2. SETTING GOALS Short and long-term goal setting is vital for any business owner. If you didn’t set goals, you would be adrift with nothing to strive for and no charted course to follow.

How could you possibly be motivated if you were unsure about the direction of your company?

Take the time to put your goals in writing. A business plan may sound daunting, but it is really nothing more than goals, strategies, implementation and a budget. Write your own business plan and update it at least annually. Include “mini-goals” that can be accomplished in a matter of hours, days or weeks as well as the more ambitious “grand-goals” that may take years to complete. Refer to this plan throughout the year.

But can a business plan really help motivate you? Yes! Written goals will make you feel more professional and certainly more connected to your business. It will also free you from having to reinvent your business goals every single day.

3. NETWORKING Another key factor in getting and staying motivated is networking with other small business owners. One person can't move huge mountains. However, when a number of people begin working together the mountains are suddenly only small hills -- simply challenges waiting to be surmounted.

In fact, the isolation of working alone is of one the most difficult parts of being an entrepreneur. Mutual support is motivating. So, make it easier on yourself by connecting with others either in your community or online. Even when businesses are not related, you will often find common ground and ways to work together.

Many successful entrepreneurs report that finding the right networking group was a turning point in the growth of the business. Working together, a networking group can help its members generate more qualified sales leads and solve problems faster and more efficiently. Sharing ideas, expertise and experience is also an invaluable aspect of networking groups. And, don’t forget about sharing costs, possibly by buying in bulk or with joint marketing projects.

Your own personal team of business owners will help re-energize you when the burdens of running your own business seem too much. With your networking team to rely on, you can accomplish more in less time and probably have more fun in the process. Certainly, you will feel less alone.

4. REWARD YOURSELF Small business owners will always have to work hard, but all work and no play is a huge mistake. Your motivation will soon begin to fall if you never take any time away from the demands of running the business.

So, plan frequent rewards for yourself. No, it doesn’t need to be a trip to Hawaii (although this is a great idea). Your reward can be as simple as a lunch out with an old friend, a matinee with your significant other, an afternoon of shopping or a relaxing massage.

If your budget and time will allow, take a few days off for a short trip or simply schedule a vacation from work for a few days. Make it a real vacation -- even if you don’t leave town -- so no checking email, voice mail or the fax machine. You need to get away, unwind and renew yourself. This “down” time to regenerate will help improve your attitude and perspective. It sounds corny, but you will come back to your business with a new sense of motivation.

5. EXERCISE While it isn’t always immediately apparent, there is a powerful connection between the mind and the body. It is vital for every small business owner to take breaks and exercise -- everyday. If your body isn’t healthy, your motivation will certainly suffer.

These exercise breaks don’t have to be huge blocks of time, and you needn’t spend money joining a gym or hiring a personal trainer. Start by walking briskly for 30 minutes before, during or after work. After you have incorporated a walk each day, then try doubling the time or doing two walks each day.

Whatever works for you is best, but the important thing is to start. You will begin to feel better.

After the walking is part of your routine, add some basic light weights. Buy a tape or go online to find out how to properly use the weights so you won’t injure yourself.

You can keep the weights under your desk, and use them for just a few minutes at a time. Buy a timer the next time you are at the grocery store. Set the timer for for three minutes to start and then add a minute or two until you’re up to 10 or 15 minutes each day.

Some small business owners have a television at work and they schedule a CNN break along with their weights. This way, they are catching up with world and local news while simultaneously getting some moderate exercise.

8. ORGANIZE Organization is critical to motivation. How can you feel good about your work, when you can’t find important papers or you are constantly late returning messages? Your business will falter and your motivation will suffer.

Some people just can’t get organized. If you are one of them, then consider bringing in someone -- a business friend, family member or professional -- to help you get the clutter and mess cleaned up. You will be amazed at how this one important step will help you get back on the organizational track. Don’t stop there. Now really get organized by creating business systems that will help you streamline your operations.

The real challenge will be keeping yourself on track by maintaining these systems. For many, it is a daily challenge, but if you use your organizational systems you’ll be free to think about other important issues.

7. MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND AUTHORS As small business owners, it seems we are bombarded with motivational ideas and materials-- tapes, books, CD’s, seminars, workbooks, videos and more. Why are there so many different motivational products, authors and speakers? Because people are buying these materials. Used effectively, they are effective and therefore they sell!

However, there are so many different motivational gurus that it is often difficult to see through the clutter to find someone that makes sense for you -- someone who can get you “fired up” about working and improving your business.

Try talking to your mentor or networking group members to see who they might recommend. Start being aware of the motivational industry and how it might help you become more enthused and positive about your business. Do some light research of your own to find some authors and speakers that interest you.

Before you invest in motivational materials, you can probably find some inexpensive ways to obtain the materials. Check out your local library, tune into your local PBS station, buy materials with a networking friend, visit used bookstores or buy used materials online. Don’t make a huge investment, because you will probably want to sample many different viewpoints.

But do these materials really work? Yes, but only if you make the effort. Just like exercise, you have to work the muscles -- in this case your mind muscles.

It is up to you to take that information and apply it to your own life and business. Really use the motivational ideas over a period of time and you will begin to see results.

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING Motivation is what moves us forward in our daily and business lives. Take the time to examine your motivating factors and use some of these keys to improve your focus and renew your enthusiasm. If you keep on track, the motivation momentum can’t help but carry you forward.

Nancy Wurtzel is the founder and of All About Baby, an ecommerce company that offers personalized and memorable gifts for children. In addition to a wide product selection, All About Baby also featured helpful and interesting site content. In addition to running her own business, Nancy consults with other small business owners providing advice about growing their ecommerce sites.