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
Monday, February 21, 2005
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
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
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
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