They say that people can teach what they struggle with the most. This is definitely true in my case. I am a procrastinator. I don’t know if it’s the rebel in me, fear, or just plain laziness, but for my entire career I have found myself dealing with the issue of procrastination and trying to figure out how to break out of it.
Procrastination is really just fear. If we weren’t afraid and we knew we were gonna move forward and make progress, we would take action. We need to manage that fear.
Awareness is the first step. Next, we need to change the words we say to ourselves… “I’m lazy. I’m a procrastinator. I’m unmotivated.” That kind of language turns us into what we are saying. Then, we need to take that first step to get past that fear and cause some positive momentum.
Once I break out of procrastination, I usually go into a period of high productivity and get a lot of stuff done. Once I get in the habit of being productive it makes me feel good. If I don’t accomplish things, it makes me feel bad. This keeps me accountable.
Are you a procrastinator too? If so, here are some of the things that help me deal with my procrastination.
1. Do one thing.
A big long to-do list does not help. It will get you caught up in figuring out which thing to do. Make a to-do list of one simple, doable thing to do that day, then do it. Maybe do the easiest thing. Or you could even pick the hardest thing, depending on how you are wired. Just start.
2. Set a deadline.
Make a plan, tell the world, figure it out. Don’t just set a deadline, announce it so you are accountable to other people and you are forced to deal with your procrastination. Just do it and get it over with. Don’t let anything get in your way.
3. Don’t be a perfectionist.
Many perfectionists avoid taking action. They want to make sure that everything is in place and perfect before they get started. But in business, progress is perfection. If you are a little bit better today than you were yesterday, that’s perfection. Take action, learn from it, make progress and get better.
4. Trick your mind.
Imagine that all of the people you respect are watching you. Or imagine that a film crew is following you around and is doing a reality show about you. Would you procrastinate? Probably not. What would you want them to see? You would want them to be impressed with how productive you are.
5. Do it Messy.
Put yourself in an uncomfortable situation and just deal with it. There will never be a moment when you know everything before you’re ready to start. For instance, just do a presentation even though you have no idea what you are going to say. Put a smile on your face, say that you don’t know what you’re doing and just do it.
6. Focus.
Do you find yourself scrolling on your phone? Getting caught up in daily activities? Doing nothing? When you catch yourself, stop it! Being unfocused is another form of procrastination. Put the blinders on and get back into productive work and focus on the task that you need to accomplish that day.
7. Success loves speed.
Procrastination makes everything move slowly. Stop crawling. At some point in time you have to get bold and go high intensity. Jump off the cliff. No excuses. Total focus. Even if you don’t have a whole day or a whole week, take one evening and do as much as you can.
Breaking out of procrastination will get you moving and get you closer to your hopes, dreams and aspirations. So stop thinking and start doing!
Engage with people who want to stay focused and never lose sight of their goals. The community I have created is one I want you to be a part of. The fastest growing Network Marketing group on Facebook: It unites the profession’s hardest working entrepreneurs. It’s a free group where you will receive training, tips, tricks, motivation, lessons and engage with others just like you. Join it today and invite your team members and friends!
