How to Overcome Procrastination
Most of us have experienced the effects of procrastination at
some time, even with the simplest of tasks.
Procrastination can manifest itself in ways as simple as taking
too long to write a thank-you letter, putting off weeding the
garden or letting slide the date when you promised yourself
you'd start an exercise program.
Procrastination in our personal lives is something we can be
aware of and deal with over time.
But if you are self-employed or running your own small business,
procrastination can be fatal to your ambitions.
>> If you are a freelancer or a small business owner, you have
to address this problem.
Your business and future depends on YOU, just the same as with
an athlete, an actor or anyone else who depends on peak personal
performance to make a living.
That's why everyone who wants to be in control of their own
future has to take steps to deal with procrastination if and
when it appears.
Here are a few tips for people who work for themselves and find
themselves putting off important tasks.
1. Improve your time management skills
If you find that you are using your time inefficiently, take
steps to consciously improve your time management skills. For
some this will include investing in some kind of scheduling
software or service that will help them better organize their
time and their tasks.
2. Create an environment in which you can concentrate
Some people can focus on their work, even if there is noise and
chaos around them, others can't. If to achieve your own peak
performance you need privacy and silence, make it happen.
3. Don't be unrealistic in your expectations
One stumbling block is when we aim for the stars and, if it
looks like we'll only reach the moon, we find ourselves frozen
into inactivity. Be reasonable in what you aim to achieve. Break
large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. That way, you can
build one successful step on top of another, instead of being
disappointed in your failure to achieve one huge task.
4. Try to put aside negative beliefs
One root cause of procrastination is negative beliefs about
ourselves and our abilities. "I can't do that." "I tried once
and I couldn't do it." If you have no belief in your ability to
achieve a particular task, it's no wonder you procrastinate.
In some cases you might be right...a particular job might be
outside your area of expertise. And that's fine. Where you need
to address these negative beliefs is when you find yourself
feeling frozen in the face of tasks that you really could
achieve. Be aware of the difference. Question yourself.
5. Put aside fear of failure
This is related to the two points above. And it's all a matter
of attitude. For some, a single failure in their professional
lives drags them down and they feel like its impossible ever to
succeed again. For others, typically the most successful of all
entrepreneurs, individual failures are signs that they are
breaking new ground. Sometimes things work out well, and
sometimes they don't. This latter group views failure as
something positive - a learning experience.
>> Finally, consider programs to help you with procrastination
For some of us, procrastination and patchy work performance is
something we live with, work with and are constantly aware of
it. And it gets in the way of the success we should achieve.
If this sounds like you, you might want to consider taking some
kind of more deliberate and positive action to address the
problem.
The answer for me lay in a hypnosis program. I was skeptical and
surprised, but finally delighted by the outcome. For you? You
need to explore options and possibilities that feel right for
you and your own circumstances.