Are You A Closet Procrastinator?

“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.”

- Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

I listened to a podcast recently on Procrastination, with the wonderful Jeffery Combs, and I started to realise that procrastination is a definite part of my life, so it was a quick decision to write about it as I'm sure there are many people who will want to read this.

Why read this? 

Because:

• it's a reason to put off doing what you know you need to do,
• you want to find out if you are a procrastinator, or
• to see how you can change being a procrastinator!

Do you answer Yes to any of these questions?

• did you, or do you, do your homework or study at the last minute?
• do you only do your washing when you run out of clothes?
• do you do your ironing when you are getting dressed in the mornings?
• are your clothes in piles on the floor, waiting to be put away or stored or given away?
• do you arrive late to appointments, parties, work.....?
• do you undertake your preparation for meetings, presentations just before the event?
• does TV stop you 'doing' things?
• do you say "I need to...." or "I should...."?
• do you love sitting down and reading a good novel, even when you have chores to be done?
• do you 'wing it' in life, very 'last minute'?

If you answered YES, you are a PROCRASTINATOR!!!

The next step then is how to change this?

1. Make a committment to change
2. Be objective and honest with yourself
3. Follow systems, be organised

Make a Committment to Change

This is the first step on your daily Life Journey to change from being a procrastinator to becoming a producer!  Without making the decision to change, you will never make the change, your mind will continue to put off until tomorrow the steps you are to take to ensure your success in life.

Stop making excuses and start making decisions.  The energy given to the statement "I am...." is far higher than, "I should...."

Practice it, how does it feel to say each one, where do you feel the energy?

Be Objective & Honest With Yourself

How often do you say, "I don't know why I......"?

YOU are the only person who really knows why you do what you do - be honest with why you are putting off until tomorrow what you could begin doing today. 

What are you afraid of if you do complete a task? Is it fear of:-

• failure?
• being judged?
• what will happen if the outcome is successful?
• being disappointed if the outcome isn't what you desire?

Procrastination is the effect of a cause, not the cause - it is a learned behaviour, not part of who you are.  Take the decision to change, then discover WHY you want to avoid a successful outcome.  Take the story out of the possible outcome, e.g., stop worrying about what might happen, and focus on being productive!

Follow Systems, Become Organised

Quite often procrastination is a result of being disorganised and becoming overwhelmed with that level of disorganisation.

A useful system to begin following is to divide your time up over your day, include in the planning

• your family time,
• your exercise time,
• your meals,
• your productive time and
• your relaxation time

Ask yourself at the end of every day -

 

"How effective have I been today?" 

 

"Has my activity included some productivity?"

Utilise a gratitude diary at the end of every day also, include 10 things for which you are grateful for. These can begin as small steps, but always say thank you for the steps you have undertaken to reduce your procrastination, e.g., 'I am grateful for establishing my diary planning today'

Contact me today to begin to step yourself through your journey from being a PROCRASTINATOR TO A PRODUCER!!