We all procrastinate. We all wish we didn’t.
How can we stop?
It is a matter of working up the motivation? Just putting our foot down and deciding to get ‘er done!
If that’s all it took, we would have conquered procrastination long ago, wouldn’t we?
So what is the answer?
I don’t have simple answer, but I do have some suggestions. First of all, realize that the reason we are avoiding a certain task is important. Understanding why is the first step to overcoming procrastination. Once we’ve identified the why, we can better select strategies that might actually help.
- We don’t know where to begin. Sometimes the task seems so big, so impossible, that we simply have no idea how to get started. This means we’re still looking at the project as a whole, like, “plan a wedding.” Way too big! The solution: break the task into smaller, manageable chunks. Once we’ve broken it down into tasks like “research photographers” we have something small enough to achieve, and therefore it’s no longer too scary to begin.
- We are overwhelmed. We all feel overwhelmed now and then, but if this is our daily reality, it’s time to rethink our priorities. Seriously. Big time. Get a grip on those schedules and start saying “No.” Simplify. Delegate. Stop trying to be SuperMom. The overcommitted lifestyle is a powerful whirlpool that will suck all the joy and true impact out of our lives. Don’t let it happen!
- We are afraid of the results. This one boils down to issues of self worth. If we are afraid of making mistakes, it probably means we are basing our worth on our performance of the task. We must remind ourselves that our worth comes from who we are, not from anything we do. If self-worth is a significant problem, we have bigger issues than procrastination. Seek wise counsel and combat those worthiness demons first.
- We think it will be too exhausting. We know a task deserves our very best, so instead of plunging in, we wimp out. In this case our enemy is Resistance—the force that keeps humans from undertaking any task that will be beneficial. If you are feeling Resistance, it means the task is worth doing. It means the task is important. So don’t be surprised when you feel Resistance. Decide to push forward anyway. For more suggestions on fighting Resistance read this post, or get a copy of The War of Art.
Rule of thumb: the more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it. ~ Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
- We simply have no desire to do the task. Here’s where the rubber hits the road, because if you’re like me, most of my procrastination falls into this category. All those annoying chores I’d rather not face, all those things I’m supposed to do to be healthy, etc. Here’s one solution you may not have thought of: get someone else to do it. That’s right, trade chores with a friend, bribe a kid, hire someone, whatever. There are many sane, normal people who pay someone to mow their grass, clean their house, or do their taxes. Maybe you would be happier (and more productive on the stuff you do like) if you found a way to delegate chores you hate, or tasks you know you are not good at.
Unfortunately, you cannot delegate exercise. Or flossing. The best way to accomplish these kinds of tasks? Form a habit. The beauty of habits is we do them without having to think. No decisions necessary. Yes, I know, forming habits sounds like too much work, but just think how beneficial it would be if you could succeed. And how can you succeed unless you try? (See below for some resources on winning the habit war.)
- We don’t feel like it right now. We all have days where we’re too worn out to deal with life. Fine. It happens. But when this becomes a daily excuse, we have a problem. I will never feel like scrubbing the kitchen floor. But I do it anyway, because it needs to be done. If we never feel like doing stuff, we may be dealing with depression or some other significant health issue.
