I find it quite ironic that as we get older, and our responsibilities and "to-do" list gets longer, our bodies become increasingly more tired and lethargic. Even the most motivated, energetic, fit and nutritionally aware adults that I know, don't have the energy of my nine year old.
Children seem to have a never ending supply of energy. In fact, they CAN'T stand, or sit, still even if they try!
My children will run up and down the stairs in our home, for the tiniest reason, without even giving it a second thought. There is no consideration to the fact they have done so ten times in the past twenty minutes. Yet, for me as an adult, if I've been up and down the stairs more than half a dozen times in the morning I can feel the frustration rising. I get agitated at myself for not being more organised, or I feel angst as I rush up there AGAIN! Do you think that's ironic?
Procrastination for me occurs when there are things that I really don't want to, I don't know how to do with confidence, or there is little or no reward for me, when I actually do get it done.
The unfortunate thing about procrastination is it doesn't help anything, or anyone. In fact, if we be totally honest, procrastination could actually be what is holding you back in your life, your business, your relationships or your career.
Generally procrastination results in us not achieving our goals, it sends mixed messages to the people around us because quite often our procrastination effects others, and it creates distrust. Distrust in ourselves, and with others. No one wins with procrastination. The "thing" that you put off, push to the side, try to forget about, or "will do tomorrow" hangs over you.
For me, when I put something off, just for the sake of not wanting to do it, it changes my mood. It makes me feel less successful and disappointed with myself for not "just do"ing it, and more often than not - it affects my sleep. I always sleep better when I know I am on top of everything I promised myself I would do.
So to avoid bringing myself down with procrastination there are three things I do:
1. I have a "to do" list - this sounds archaic and so simple it couldn't possibly work, but it does. I have it on my wall, on a white board, where I can see it. If I can't see it, it becomes out of sight out of mind - so I have to be able to see it. And I use a whiteboard because sometimes priorities change. So if somethings happens throughout the day, and an item becomes more or less important I can reprioritize the list.
I make sure my list is achievable. I don't overload the list to be unachievable, overwhelming or daunting.
Then I prioritise the list, so that I know the first things I'm doing are the most important (even though they may not be the most fun to do!). So long as I get the most important tasks done I know I will be able to celebrate success at the end of the day.
2. I give myself credit. Another simple sounding technique I know, but let me explain why. The tasks that I tend to procrastinate on are the tasks I don't enjoy, I don't get a sense of satisfaction when I complete them, they frustrate me and/or I'm not confident in doing. So when I do do them, rather than mutter to myself "Thank goodness that's over", I reward myself with a moment of recognition, enjoyment and satisfaction.
Sometimes that involves walking over to my white board and putting a big tick next to it, maybe a tweet or status update to recognise my efforts, or sometimes I even give myself permission to finish early (you can do that when you are your own boss). The important thing is to actually recognise getting the task done. The secondary benefit of doing so is next time you have to do the same thing you won't have such dreadful thoughts and memories of last time. You subconscious will actually connect with the positive feelings you experienced when you finished the activity - so there is twofold benefit.
3. The most powerful strategy I can recommend for overcoming procrastination is to have somebody keep you accountable. I have a business coach and am a member of a mastermind group. When I make a commitment to these people, I know I have to do all of the things necessary to achieve my goals; and I know my coach and my mastermind members will be waiting for my status report. That is my greatest motivator and incentive to just get things done - and get over the procrastination!
My strategies for dealing with procrastination have worked for me and enabled me to achieve things I never thought possible. Being a working parent, as many of you probably are, there really is no time in our days for procrastination.
Of course avoiding procrastination is not the only thing that has helped me achieve, it has to go hand in hand with other strategies to remain motivated and keep moving forward, but overcoming procrastination makes a huge difference to my productivity and my energy levels.
Written by Francine Bishop. Francine is the founder of Social Media Mayvin, providing coaching to small business owners to get past the overwhelm and make more money, do less work and have fun along the way. Visit http://www.socialmediamayvin.com/ for your free audio CD giving you the 7 step system to small business success, including how you can systemise, socialise and monetise more than ever before.
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