End Procrastination- How to Grow Your List of Completions for New Results

Procrastination is a top self-sabotaging behavior holding too many back from their full abilities. Five years later you find yourself wondering why you never took action. The obstacle now seems a bit ridiculous and the regret is deeply disappointing. However, today is a new day where new choices are made. Here are four practical steps to end procrastination, build a list of completions, and get new results.

Step 1- Determine what areas of your life you are procrastinating- Are you holding back for good reason? Choose one area that you will commit to stop procrastinating.

Step 2- Get to the source- Why are you really holding back? The mind is a wonderfully complex, incredible asset that can become your greatest enemy if you do not stay aware of how it is working for you. When your car does not start you get to the source of the problem. When you get to the source you can determine a solution. What is the real reason behind the procrastination? Some popular causes are lack of interest, fear, overwhelm, indecision or unsure of what to do, lack of focus, or poor time management.

Step 3- Find the solution at the source- Based on the source, decide is it still a worthwhile action to take. If so, choose a strategy to end the procrastination. This may mean developing a new, positive habit. Set up the strategy in a way that you know you can commit to action. Here are some possible sources and solutions:

An Unpleasant Task/ Lack of Interest- Delegate it, commit only 15 minutes to get started, or do it at the start of the day. Focus on getting it behind you. Set up a reward for following through.

Someone Else’s Goal- Set a boundary...say no or accept only the part of the job that you feel good about. If you can not say no (ex. employment situation) then you may choose to follow the above solution.

A Large Overwhelming Project- Break it into small manageable tasks. Get details out of your head and into a system. What small step you CAN you take now? Commit just 15 minutes and begin. Can you delegate a part? Step by step build momentum as you make progress. A great solution for decluttering!

Lack of Focus Due to Multiple Projects- Prioritize the projects. Complete one project at a time or block time in your schedule for each project. Choose three small manageable tasks in each area. Focus on completion of one project at a time when possible.

Fear- What is the fear telling you? Is it valid or an irrational assumption? Stay present. Fear is anticipation of what could happen. Stay here and now. Shift thoughts onto the ideal end result or what you and others will gain. Affirmations, visualization, and preparation helps. Feel the greatness of having the guts to face your fear. As Eleanor Roosevelt says, “you gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Let go of expectations and take the action to gain confidence and experience. Choose not to let fear hold you back any longer.

Poor Time Management- Schedule a block of time daily or weekly to work only on this project. Keep the appointments. Begin with small blocks of time (whatever you can commit) until you are consistently keeping the appointments. Then consider committing more time.

Indecision- Not knowing what to do is a sign you need more information. Set a deadline for your decision. Then take steps daily to research, talk to others, pray, and get the support and information you need. Make an educated decision you feel good about based on the information and your gut instinct.

Step 4- Maintain focus on the ideal end result- Stay clear on what you and others will gain. What are the benefits of completion. How will you feel when you have succeeded in following through? Create these new thought patterns to motivate and propel you to move through the discomfort into action.

Step 5- Take action following through to completion- Put your strategy into action as soon as possible. The more you take action early on the more confidence you will build as you begin to experience new results. Action leads to knowledge, experience, confidence, and success. Discomfort is a good thing, a sign you are stretching and growing. Step by step follow through. Feel great at the end of the day.

Now is the perfect moment to end procrastination. No more regrets! Grow your list of completions in order to gain the results you want.... Starting Now!