Monday, February 21, 2005

How To Procrastinate

by Peter Murphy

There are certain skills required when learning how to
procrastinate. It isn’t enough just to know how to
procrastinate, but one needs to know why and when to do it.

In this article you can find suggestions on how to
procrastinate and the reasons behind choosing this option.

(some of what is said is meant to be tongue in cheek)

Eventually, with practice this can become a skill and a
person will no longer need to know how to procrastinate but
can put their knowledge into action.

There are reasons why people procrastinate, and to know how
to procrastinate purposefully it is important to know what
the main reasons for choosing this option are:

1. Poor time management.
2. Inability to prioritise.
3. An overload of tasks (integral in deciding how to
procrastinate and choose which task to leave longest).
4. Task anxiety, will it be a success or a failure?
5. Feeling overwhelmed, bored, any kind of negative feeling.

There is an old saying, "You know you’re getting old when
it takes to much effort to procrastinate." This infers
that it requires some effort to learn how to procrastinate,
which is not necessarily always the case.

How to procrastinate is a choice of the procrastinator not
the situation, there are various methods or distractions a
person can employ to procrastinate successfully:

1. Time filling.

The most important thing when learning how to procrastinate
is to replace the time that should have been used doing one
task by doing something more appealing to the would-be
procrastinator.

2. Goal completion.

Knowing how to procrastinate well does not mean time should
be spent sitting doing nothing but breathing. Having a
goal with a set amount of time means a level of
procrastination can be permitted without harm to the task.

3. Schedule clashes.

Often one piece of previous procrastination can be used as
an excuse for another bout of procrastination. A more
tedious task can be supplanted by a less tedious one that
had already suffered from delay previously.

4. Money or friends?

Which comes first? In learning how to procrastinate a
person has to decide which is most important and which can
be put off for a period of time. A friendless rich man or
a broke popular person, which is more appealing?

5. Clear thinking and justification.

When deciding how to procrastinate it is important to
choose how to qualify the procrastination, if you cannot
justify it to yourself then you are not learning how to
procrastinate properly.

The dictionary definition of ‘procrastinate’ is "To put off
doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or
laziness."

When learning how to procrastinate only the former part of
that definition is true, the act does not have to be due to
‘carelessness’ or ‘laziness’.

Being able to know how to procrastinate does not have to
have negative connotations, it can mean a person is good at
time delegation and work prioritising, both important
skills in business and education.

So tips to remember:

1. Prioritise. Procrastinate with care.
2. Fill your time. Don’t waste an act of procrastination.
3. Perspective. Don’t let procrastination affect money,
friends or health if possible.
4. Keep a goal in sight. Be realistic in time management
so procrastination is possible.
5. Know how to procrastinate and feel positive about it.

Finally it is not just a skill to know how to procrastinate
but when to do it, some things just can not be left till
later or tomorrow, again this depends on circumstance and
the individual. Knowing how to procrastinate is a useful
tool in a busy world.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently
produced a very popular free report that reveals how to
crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply
now because it is available for a limited time only at:

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

How to Overcome Procrastination

by Peter Murphy

Learning how to overcome procrastination can be very
difficult for many. It is a character trait most of us
possess, but if we become willing to try something new we
can begin learning how to avoid procrastination and the
unproductive cycle it keeps us in.

Procrastination fosters anxiety, anger, and keeps us from
fully enjoying life, so learning how to overcome
procrastination is imperative.

Being a poster child for procrastination, I found learning
how to avoid procrastination necessary if I was ever going
to be successful at anything.

So, I set out to rediscover that part of myself that is
organized and loathes procrastination.

Procrastination is really nothing more than fear, a lack of
good organization, and poor self-motivation. Regarding the
latter two, simple measures can be taken to begin learning
how to overcome procrastination and start to restore some
sanity to life.

Unfortunately, fear requires a little more effort. When
facing any task where fear might play an important role,
it’s good to ask yourself a few questions in order to begin
learning how to avoid procrastination.

1. What am I most afraid of regarding this task? Is it the
outcome? Is it the actual task itself? Is it the
possibility of failure or am I uncomfortable with the steps
required to complete it?

2. What is the worst thing that can happen to me? Is it
possible that I am simply afraid of being rejected?
Taking a quick inventory of what is causing the fear goes a
long way in learning how to avoid procrastination.

Most experts agree that procrastination is typically caused
by a fear of uncomfortable feelings. So, what are some
concrete measures you can take to begin learning how to
avoid procrastination?

Here is a simple list of things you can do to get
organized, instill motivation, and begin practicing better
habits.

1. Make lists.

But, more importantly, make small lists. Making a list
with 20 things that need to be done will only give you
another reason for procrastination.

Overall, completion will seem impossible allowing you to
justify doing nothing. So, keep your lists to a manageable
amount: typically 5-10 tasks.

2. Don’t start with the most difficult task.

Complete a few easier tasks to build your motivation and
confidence

3. Check off the completed tasks.

Few things feel better than scratching a line through
something that has been completed. A weight lifts from you
and the likelihood of you learning how to avoid
procrastination of larger tasks increases.

4. Tell someone else what tasks are on your list.

This is a simple concept; you are relying on a third party
to help hold you accountable.

5. Don’t procrastinate beginning your list.

Do not read your email, shop Ebay, or call to schedule that
all-important vet appointment for your dog. These are just
ways your mind works to keep you from learning how to avoid
procrastination.

Get out the list and immediately complete one of the items
on it.

I say all of this as a procrastination convert. For years,
I refused to plan anything, and all my procrastination
yielded me was anxiety and more things to do.

So, get out that pen and paper right now, make a list, and
commit to completing it. That’s the first step in learning
how to avoid procrastination.

You’ll feel better and find yourself enjoying other things
in life. Stop avoiding learning how to overcome
procrastination, because learning how to overcome
procrastination is as easy as deciding to begin.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced
a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination
and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for
a limited time only at:

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

Thursday, February 10, 2005

8 Super Ways To Avoid Procrastination

by Peter Murphy

How to avoid procrastination is a subject that everyone thinks about at sometime or another.We are all guilty of delaying what needs to be done at sometime or another; so learning ways of how to avoid procrastination is beneficial to everyone.

Although learning how to avoid procrastination is simple, applying the principles is harder as those who do procrastinate, will put off even attempting to avoid procrastination itself.

Some simple tips on how to avoid procrastination are as follows. It's all a simple matter of retraining yourself to get the job done.

1. Prioritize your daily tasks. Decide what has to be done, should be done, and what you would like to do.

2. Get the worst out of the way first. Do that 'have to' job first; get it over and out of your hair. By doing the 'have to's' first, it leaves the rest of your time to do those want to's and should be's.Doing this one simple thing is one of the best ways to avoid procrastination in the first place.

3. Delegate, if possible, some of the worst things on your list to others. This will allow you to move on to other things and allow you to avoid procrastinating on those things you really don't want to do in the first place.

4. Make a list every morning of what you need to accomplish throughout the day. Reward yourself each time you check an item done.

5. Look closely at how you procrastinate. Do you surf the web when you should be doing the accounting? Do you read and answer email when you should be doing that office report?Once you figure out the things you do to put off what needs doing, it's easy to figure out how to avoid procrastination by eliminating those behaviors. If you can't eliminate the behavior, save it for the reward of getting the job done.

6. Keep a day planner. Write down what has to be accomplished and block out the time you are going to do it.Once the job is done, check it off or draw a line through it. Seeing the checkmarks on paper will motivate you to move on to the next item on your list.

7. At the end of the day, write down what you have accomplished. This can sometimes be its own reward.As you see the list grow from day to day, you will begin to look for ways to avoid procrastination yourself.

8. Write out a set of goals for yourself. List where you want to be next week, next month, next year and five years from now.Look at how what you are putting off keeps you from reaching those goals.Knowing how to avoid procrastination is really all about setting personal goals for yourself and sticking with them.

As you find ways to juggle all the things that have to be done, and see the rewards of getting them finished, you will find even more ways on how to avoid procrastination for yourself.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at:http://www.getmotivatedstaymotivated.com/special.htm

7 Magical Ways To Stop Procrastination

by Peter Murphy

What can you do to stop procrastination when it won't let
you finish a job?

There are a number of techniques to help you stop
procrastination once and for all. If you can stop
procrastination in your life just think about what you
could accomplish and how much better you would feel.

People who procrastinate in excess are prone to feelings of
guilt, anxiety and powerlessness. Why does procrastination
occur?

It could be as a result of not wanting to do things or of
not being able to do things. It could also be a result of
fear. Many of us fear failure as well as success. Still
others procrastinate simply because it works for them.

Procrastination is not something we should live with. When
procrastination occurs, nothing gets done. And when nothing
gets done due to procrastination, that's when we feel down
and worthless.

Feeling this way may be avoided with a number of techniques
designed to stop procrastination:

1. You can stop procrastination by getting organized. Being
unorganized leads to chaos and feelings of being
overwhelmed. Stop procrastination by organizing your life.

2. Breakdown tasks into manageable units to stop
procrastination. Smaller tasks are less overwhelming that
large jobs.

3. Have discipline. Allow your desire for success to
overcome your desire to put things off.

4. Positive motivation. Talk yourself up with encouraging
quotes. Even very successful people feed their minds with
positive input each day.

5. Get someone else´s help to stop procrastination. Ask
someone to hold you accountable for completion of a task
you have been procrastinating about.

For example, if you are putting off cleaning the garage ask
you wife to question you about when it will be completed
several days before the due date.

6. Do the easiest or most enjoyable task first so that you
get off to a good start. This works for some people while
the opposite works for others. Some people like to get the
unpleasant work out of the way so they can enjoy the rest.

7. Giving yourself a deadline can stop procrastination.
Procrastination should not be something you should live
with. Successful people do not tend to procrastinate,
instead, they stop procrastination because they know what
needs to get done must get done.

It is not because they necessarily enjoy the unpleasant
tasks which others procrastinate about but rather the
strength of their desire for success is greater than their
desire to procrastinate.

Procrastination should not be a hindrance to achieving your
goal. Take a moment to recognize the signs and do something
to overcome it and stop procrastination.

If you begin by rewarding yourself for small successes and
stop punishing yourself when you do procrastinate you will
be able to develop new habits that, in time, will help stop
procrastination.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently
produced a very popular free report that reveals how to
crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply
now because it is available for a limited time only at:
http://www.getmotivatedstaymotivated.com/special.htm





Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Simple Ways To Cure Procrastination

by Peter Murphy

Curing procrastination is about overcoming fear. If you can
conquer the fears which are causing you to put off
important projects you will be well on your way to curing
procrastination.

Curing procrastination is not necessarily about will power
or forcefully advancing in your goals but rather it is
about learning why we procrastinate, what we are afraid of
and finding ways to face those fears in order to move
forward in our lives.

What are you afraid of?

1. Fear of Failure.

The fear of failure is by far the most obvious fear which
can cause disabling procrastination. This is especially
true as it pertains to our professional lives, careers, and
for college students their assignments.

If the fear of failure is causing you to put off a task
then what you need to do is sit down and think carefully
about all of the possible outcomes if indeed you fail.

Actually, first consider what does it mean to fail?

If you can not answer this question then you have nothing to fear
and your task of curing procrastination is finished.
If you can certainly imagine failing in the given task then
consider for a minute what is the worst possible
consequence of failing.

Make peace with this, accept it and you have nothing more
to fear. The Samurai of early Japan taught themselves to
make peace with the fact that they could die at any time.
By doing this they eliminated almost all other fears ––
because, of course, what could be worse than that. They
certainly learned the trick to curing procrastination.

2. Fear of Success.

If you think that maybe your procrastination is being
caused by your fear of success then curing procrastination
becomes all that much easier.

Why are you afraid of success?

Chances are you want success but you fear that you will not
be able to live up to the responsibilities of success and
everything it brings.

Or maybe, you are aware that success will bring negative
consequences in addition to positive things. If you are to
succeed in curing procrastination then you must come to
terms with what to expect with success and weigh the good
versus the bad.

If the undesired results outweigh the bad then just decide
not to do the project at all and you have just succeed in
one thing …… curing procrastination. You see if you remove
a task from your plate then there is no longer anything to
procrastinate about.

Curing procrastination is not impossible and it is within
everyone’s reach. It is really a mind game. In summary,
curing procrastination is possible when you face your fears
head on and eliminate them with an understanding of why you
are afraid.


Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently
produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush
procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now
because it is available for a limited time only at:

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


Thursday, February 03, 2005

3 Clever Ways To Stop Procrastinating

by Peter Murphy

Stopping procrastination can be challenging, especially
since you can’t put it off until tomorrow! Most people who
did manage to stop procrastinating did not do so overnight.

Like any other bad habit, procrastination starts small and
builds itself up.

Returning to a more dependable lifestyle however is
possible. Follow these simple steps below and eventually,
with dedication and self discipline your procrastination
should be under control and your tomorrows will be a little
less full!

Step #1 Start Small.

Usually if people procrastinate in their business lives
they also procrastinate in their personal life too and vice
versa.

Start small by making an everyday to do list. Examples
include, but are not limited to; taking out the trash,
doing the dishes, hanging up clothes, and maybe even
littler things like making the bed or tidying up the living
room.

When you have things under control at a personal level it
is easier to get things under control at a business level.

Getting yourself into the routine of not putting things off
at home will be difficult since the home is the easiest
place to procrastinate: it is always there, you always have
an extra day to work on it, and no one besides you or those
who live you will know what you are putting off.

However, if you have noticed, the places that we feel most
comfortable in are the easiest to begin a bad habit and
also the hardest place to get rid of that bad habit.

A smoker’s hardest place to deal with is their personal
space and yours is too. So take control and shape yourself
up at home to start the process of stopping procrastination.

Step #2 Take control at work.

No doubt if you are a procrastinator at home then you
usually have things piling up at work to do or you find
yourself at the end of the day hurrying to get things done
that you should have done that morning or the day before.

Well stop that!

Make a list, just like you did for at home. Start the day
by making a list of things you must check off by a certain
time in the day.

For example, say you want to get the reports done on time
that usually you put off until the end of the day. Make a
list and note that reports must be checked off by 10:00
that morning.

At first you may find yourself racing and checking off that
item on the list right at ten or slightly before but keep
at it and you just might find yourself checking off your
list long before the time its due!

Practice makes perfect and the more you practice and being
on time the easier it gets and soon it becomes as second
habit as procrastination is or hopefully used to be.

Step #3 If All else fails, weight the guilty consequences.

You know how mad you feel or even embarrassed when you have
pushed yourself to the last minute or even past the last
minute?

Whenever you feel yourself giving into the urge to
procrastinate just remember that feeling and predict how
you will feel the next day when you are faced with your
normal circumstances plus those you have avoided and waited
to do. A very simple form of self discipline but a very
effective one.

Stopping procrastination isn’t always easy but it can be
done. Follow these steps diligently; just be careful to get
started today even if only in a small way.

You already know what procrastination and low motivation is
costing you. And you know deep down that nothing is going
to change for the better until you do.

My suggestion for you today....

Take the 365 day trial of my step-by-step motivation
system. And take 10 minutes a day to use The Motivation
Accelerator Process on page 79.

Give yourself 10 minutes each day to improve the quality of
your life. Do this and you will be stunned by your
sustained motivation and renewed zest for life.

Go here now to reserve your 365 day trial:

http://www.getmotivatedstaymotivated.com/

Have Fun,

Peter Murphy


P.S. Stop procrastinaitng and who knows what you could achieve?