Procrastination: Why Do We Do It And How Can We Overcome It?
Procrastination: Why Do We Do It and How Can We Overcome It
I am 64 years old and semi-retired. You would think a woman with my age and wisdom I would avoid procrastinating, but I dont. If I have something to do that has a deadline, I wait until the last minute to complete it. I have always enjoyed a challenge and adamantly refuse to be bored. Thus, I procrastinate so that I have something interesting to do. Whats your reason?
There are a number of ways I believe we can overcome procrastination:
Make a to-do-list daily, weekly, monthly, or all three. Post the list where you can see it. Today cell phones are useful as reminders of tasks to do. Review the list frequently.
Pray. Prayer and meditation predisposes you to have a positive fulfilling view of the day ahead of you. You move easily from one task to another.
Obstacles and distractions are ready to block you, but if it is something important, do it first and vow to come back to the original task. Do not dismiss or ignore it. Come back to it. Make note and commit yourself to complete it at some point. It is best to jot down the day and time you will do so.
Eat, sleep, and live well in order to function and fulfill the goals of the day.
Engage the support of family and friends or co-workers to complete the task, or learn to delegate.
Above all, learn to say no. You must focus and prioritize and do the task at hand. Stop interruptions.
Avoid spending too much time on one task, and thus ignore the rest of the list. Have time-lines for each task. If you do not complete the task, do not abandon it. Just move on to the next task, so that your day is not lost and wasted.
All this said and done, I assure you, it is easier said than done. As one comedian once said, The Devil made me do it! It is difficult to overcome our lazy nature, because it is easier to tear down the to-do-list and make a cup of coffee, read the newspaper or that wonderful novel that we just received in the mail. Its easy to turn on the TV or get lost checking our e-mail. But if procrastination makes you unhappy, resolve to overcome it by sheer willpower. That is the only solution, one that will energize you and allow you to fulfill your lifes work. Persistence and perseverance conquers the deadly sin of procrastination.
I am 64 years old and semi-retired. You would think a woman with my age and wisdom I would avoid procrastinating, but I dont. If I have something to do that has a deadline, I wait until the last minute to complete it. I have always enjoyed a challenge and adamantly refuse to be bored. Thus, I procrastinate so that I have something interesting to do. Whats your reason?
There are a number of ways I believe we can overcome procrastination:
Make a to-do-list daily, weekly, monthly, or all three. Post the list where you can see it. Today cell phones are useful as reminders of tasks to do. Review the list frequently.
Pray. Prayer and meditation predisposes you to have a positive fulfilling view of the day ahead of you. You move easily from one task to another.
Obstacles and distractions are ready to block you, but if it is something important, do it first and vow to come back to the original task. Do not dismiss or ignore it. Come back to it. Make note and commit yourself to complete it at some point. It is best to jot down the day and time you will do so.
Eat, sleep, and live well in order to function and fulfill the goals of the day.
Engage the support of family and friends or co-workers to complete the task, or learn to delegate.
Above all, learn to say no. You must focus and prioritize and do the task at hand. Stop interruptions.
Avoid spending too much time on one task, and thus ignore the rest of the list. Have time-lines for each task. If you do not complete the task, do not abandon it. Just move on to the next task, so that your day is not lost and wasted.
All this said and done, I assure you, it is easier said than done. As one comedian once said, The Devil made me do it! It is difficult to overcome our lazy nature, because it is easier to tear down the to-do-list and make a cup of coffee, read the newspaper or that wonderful novel that we just received in the mail. Its easy to turn on the TV or get lost checking our e-mail. But if procrastination makes you unhappy, resolve to overcome it by sheer willpower. That is the only solution, one that will energize you and allow you to fulfill your lifes work. Persistence and perseverance conquers the deadly sin of procrastination.
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