Ways to Beat Procrastination

For as long as there’s been work to do, people have been putting it off. Perhaps they imagine that if they ignore it, or delay it long enough, it will disappear.

Why put off until tomorrow what you could do today?

Because tomorrow never comes, that’s why!

Procrastination has its own peculiar logic. But it leads to a tremendous amount of wasted time and energy.

Getting over procrastination can require a huge degree of discipline, on the part of young students or experienced businessmen and professionals.

First, recognize that you have a little problem with putting things off. Is your inbox piled to the ceiling?

You might have need to work on preventing procrastination. Look for these unmistakable symptoms. Sound familiar?

1. “I thrive on deadlines.”

That’s nice. Sure, some people do some of their best work under pressure, and good for them! But when you cut things a little too close, and a creative block appears, the stress can build to unbearable levels. A simple trick can work here, that only requires discipline. Mark your own deadline on your calendar, just a few days before the actual deadline, and work towards that. Challenge yourself. In the meantime, you’ll always have extra time just in case of a creative disaster.

2. “I’ve got all the time in the world.”

I’ll bet you do! Unfortunately, your boss or professor may have a different idea. Time has a way of catching up with procrastinators. You think you have weeks to complete a project, you push it aside; and all of a sudden, you check the calendar, and you have a matter of mere days. This is when you can get burned.

3. “I’m waiting for inspiration.”

Unless you’re a poet or something, this excuse won’t fly. Train yourself to be creative and active one cue; if you wait for your muse to visit you, or for some miraculous burst of energy, you may find that your ship never comes in. So don’t play the waiting game, and don’t tell yourself that doing the job is somehow beyond your control. If you require a certain frame of mind to work most productively, then analyze what produces that frame of mind in you, and make use of it. It may be as simple as a cup of coffee or a certain kind of music.

4. “I’m stumped!”

So was Einstein. Great achievements aren’t tripped over; they’re the result of hard work and struggle. If you’re stumped on a certain project, turn for help. Brainstorm. Get a friend to rattle off some ideas—perhaps even someone outside of your particular field. Thinking outside the box can help.

Overcoming procrastination is a pressing need these days, both for individuals and companies, who are always striving for greater productivity. Recognize the problem, and become a part of the solution. Today, not tomorrow!

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Photo by Photocapy– flickr.com