SolveYourProblem Article Series: Procrastination
I'll Do It Later, Procrastinator

6 Ways To Stop Procrastination Now

Surely you procrastinate at one time or another - or maybe all the time. Even if you're one of those unusual folks who only procrastinate occasionally, you'll find some helpful hints here for managing this habit.

Getting your tasks completed on time is a sign that you have control over yourself and your life. You'll enjoy the feeling of having more control over your life! You'll be free from that familiar chaos that ensues each time a deadline looms or you finish a task late.

Following these tips can help you put procrastination in its place - in your past:

1. It's largely about the pain. Now or later? Do you want to suffer now or suffer later? Those who get things done on time would rather just get it over with. Those who procrastinate would rather wait.

• As a procrastinator, you usually get active when the pain of doing it is less than the pain of not doing it. The ironic thing is that by waiting, the pain is far greater than if the task would've been managed earlier.
• Getting it done now just makes so much more sense. You'll suffer less in the long run and you won't have the mental challenge of the task hanging over your head for days or weeks.

2. Change your mindset. Instead of thinking about how much you don't want to do it, try focusing on how good you'll feel when you're done!

• Try to associate as much positive feeling as you can about getting it done and out of the way. When you can think about the task and feel positive about it, it's as good as finished.
• By the same token, try to associate pain to getting it done late or at the last minute. Imagine how it will feel if you're late. What would the consequences be?

3. Just get started. It can be very difficult to even get started on a large task. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself just start on the task. Once you get going, you can establish some momentum and then it's not usually so bad.

• Try setting up a schedule where you do 10% each day or reward yourself for getting a certain amount accomplished.
• Frequently you'll find that if you can just get started, it's not nearly as challenging as you anticipated. The first step always seems to be the toughest.

4. Get some help. Sometimes involving other people can be motivational. Maybe a friend can assist you in getting your task done. Feeling like you're not all alone in the situation can ease the challenge of completing the task in question.

5. Make a list of the ways you waste time. Being aware of the things you tend do instead of the things you should be doing will make it easier to catch yourself when you stray.

• Some common ways of wasting time would include television, surfing the internet, email, shopping trips with no real purpose, and more. If you know your tendencies, you'll be able to spot them more easily.

6. Track your progress at the end of each day. You wouldn't try to lose weight without getting on the scale once in a while. Every day, measure your progress so you can really see where you are.

Procrastination doesn't have to be a constant part of your life. Focus on how good you'll feel to have it done and out of the way. The tips above are a good starting point. If you can stop relying on stress-induced adrenaline as motivation to take action, you'll feel a much greater sense of control over your life. Get started with these tips right away!

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2011

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