Greetings!

I find it hard to believe, but it's true. I haven't written a newsletter on the topic of procrastination. It's something that most of us are intimately familiar with. So bear with me. It's not to hard to confront those seemingly impossible tasks.

Along these lines, I was sorting out my random post-it notes and came across this timely ditty: "Do it now and then you can get on with your day."

It's been fun looking at the assortment of scraps... restaurants in foreign cities, referrals, health tips, movies, and assorted trivia. How do you keep track of stuff? Maybe your brain is like a steel trap.

I know that I've had a hard time keeping facts stored since junior high school. I'll always remember giving a presentation in a class on the stock market -- bulls and bears -- and then when we had a quiz on it a week later, I failed the test! That's partially why I didn't excel in school. But enough about me...

Continuing Strategy to Overcome Procrastination

3. Get your head on straight. There are two steps to this process. First, start by getting clear on your goal on the task. Good planning is the foundation of success for most any project. It's helpful to write it down so you have it for ready reference. For example, "I want to get this off my plate." Or "I feel clearer when I exercise regularly." Having a clear and precise idea of your goal will keep you oriented and help you to stay motivated.

 

Second, identify sabotaging thoughts that are hanging in the wings, ready to pounce in a weak moment. Then come up with a couple of truths to contradict them. For example if you continually tell yourself "I'll never be able to learn all this," you might say to yourself, "I can do this" or "If others can learn it, so can I". That's a plain and simple truth. To neutralize your frustration at having to do this task, you might say, "I'm doing this for me."

 

4. Do the planning -- break your goal into a series of small, doable steps.

You've envisioned the task, dealt with what's been holding you back, and fixed your destructive thinking. Completing the job requires figuring out a reasonable step-by-step game plan and deciding when you'll begin. Write your plan down.

 

Once you have an outline, step back and imagine obstacles that are likely to pop up along the way. For every scenario, have a tactic ready to help you stick to your plan. You may also want to find someone to support your efforts and with whom you can check in on a regular basis.

 

5. Just do it -- gulp and leap.

With all this preparation, it's time to tackle the task you've put off. Before you do, acknowledge your emotions--whether it's anger, fear, or sadness. Take just a minute or two and release the pent-up emotion in a physical and constructive way. Without the emotional energy dragging you down, you'll feel prepared to take the leap and be amazed how easy it is as you just focus on one step at a time.

 

6. Battle resistance.

As you take action, you're likely to meet with resistance in the form of excuses, bad moods, and discouragement. Meet resistance with tenacity and stubbornness, and continue to deal with any emotions that surface. At this point in the process it's important to repeat your truths and remember your goal. Say them over and over until they're set in your mind. "I can do this. I'll feel better when I handle this." Any time you are tempted to procrastinate, refocus on the goal.

 

7. Appreciate your efforts and accomplishments.

Getting through a daunting task is incredibly satisfying. Praise each small accomplishment along the way. You'll feel proud and virtuous when you get the task off your plate. Doing what you're avoiding will simplify your life. You'll feel more energetic. You'll sleep better at night.

Hey Jude,

With all the negativity and craziness going on around I find it hard to keep a good attitude. You must have a few suggestions.

I sure do. First, I'd avoid engaging in arguments, especially about politics. You rarely change opinions and you often get dragged down in disbelief, frustration, and despair.

Second, keep in mind "balance." Don't let yourself get consumed with what's going on outside of you. Attend to life -- your family, work, health, as well as what's going on in your community.

Third, stick to the positive. Look for the good and accentuate that. You'll feel better if you do.

And fourth, focus on what you can do to make a difference in your world, and do it. You'll feel good about yourself, your actions, and encounter some lovely things in the process.