Procrastination is an art for some people, but the truth is it can be a very bad habit to slip into, causing stress for yourself and others around you. Let’s chat about ways to end procrastination habits in your life today – NOT tomorrow.
Deadlines are a good thing.
When thinking about goals you want to reach, give yourself a deadline for completion. Without a timeline, you could go on forever without actually making progress.
Eat that elephant.
Remember the old adage, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Try breaking up your larger goals into smaller more manageable tasks. That’s the best way to build momentum quickly!
Reward yourself.
Set up a reward system to congratulate yourself on your progress. Whether a fun activity with friends, or a treat for yourself, make it something that acknowledges your progress and effort.
Surround yourself with accountability.
Recruit friends to help you stick to your goals. Arrange a time to check-in regularly and talk through ways in which they can help. Help them understand what kind of encouragement you need when the going gets tough. (Do you need to be reminded how far you’ve come or do you need someone to give you some straight talk?)
Sometimes it’s okay to be impulsive.
If you suddenly have the urge to get moving on that project, Act. On. It. Don’t think about it so long that the feeling passes.
Picture the future you want.
Imagine the emotions you will feel. Visualize yourself in a favorite place celebrating what you’ve accomplished. Imagine those who love you most celebrating your success.
Forgive yourself.
You’re bound to have a setback or two, but that doesn’t define you. Get back on that horse and work harder to keep chipping away at achieving your dreams today!