|
Return to
articles about time management.
|
|
Overcome Procrastination - Discover ways
to get more done in less time
By Cheryl Vallejos
So What Then Is The Opposite Of Procrastination?
Urgency is the opposite of procrastination. When we have a sense of urgency
to get things done, we do them. Something inside motivates us to carry
through. One of the most valuable habits you can develop in life is a sense
of urgency, an inner drive to get on with it, to get the job done now.
Procrastination Awareness
Recognize self-defeating patterns such as fear and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor time management, indecisiveness and perfection.
Identify your goals, strengths and weaknesses, values and priorities.
Compare your actions with your values. Are they consistent with each other?
Discipline yourself to use time wisely. Set priorities.
Motivate yourself: Dwell on success, not on failure.
Break large assignments
or projects into small, manageable tasks.
Set realistic goals.
Modify your environment: Eliminate or minimize noise/distractions.
Ensure you have adequate lighting and all the necessary equipment at hand to
simplify and organize your workplace so everything's within reach.
Hire a coach to help move you through the blocks to motivation and that
sense of urgency.
5 Ways to Be Aware of Procrastination
Create a detailed plan of action
Begin by creating a clear, written plan with each part of the plan and each
step organized in order of priority. Put an "A," "B," or "C" next to each
step. Determine the most important thing you can do to get started and put a
circle around that item. A written plan will lead to action.
Clean up your workspace
Begin with only one thing, the most important thing in front of you. A clean
workspace is a real motivator for action. A good time planner can be very
helpful in this regard because it keeps you focused on the next task.
Separate the urgent from the important
Remind yourself that important tasks are usually not urgent. An urgent task
is usually not important. Start off working on the tasks that are both
urgent and important. Ensure you don't leave anything until the last moment.
Start with your most important task
People tend to procrastinate on large, important tasks with considerable
future value. Successful completion of these major tasks can make a major
difference into your life, so plan for them in ways that are manageable for
you.
Practice creative procrastination
This requires that you consciously procrastinate on those tasks that
contribute little or nothing to the accomplishments of your major,
high-value goals. The difference between effective and ineffective people is
that effective people only procrastinate on the things that don't really
matter.
Action Exercise
Select one major task where procrastination is holding you back.
Create a detailed list of every single thing you will have to do to complete
that task….think on paper.
Identify the single most important item on your list and gather everything
you will need to start and complete that one item.
Set a specific time when you will start and work single-mindedly on that
task until it is finished.
Break your largest tasks and goals down into bite-size chunks, and
concentrate on starting and completing one part of the job at a time.
Accept 100 percent responsibility for starting and finishing your major
task; refuse to make excuses or rationalize putting it off.
Visualize working with a sense of urgency; program your mind by repeating
the words "Do it now!" over and over.
About the author:
Cheryl Vallejos
Prime Leaders Community
www.PrimeLeaders.com
Where good managers become great leaders!
President and CEO of Endorse Success, LLC and Prime Leaders Community,
Cheryl Vallejos has more than 22 years of experience in organizational
business management. Her passion is helping small businesses create big
profits. Cheryl's business and personal clients include those wanting career
advancement, people starting or expanding their businesses, and those
needing guidance and support in setting, meeting, and exceeding their
business and personal goals.
A dynamic and impressive leading-edge coach and consultant, Cheryl has
combined extensive business management experience with her highly regarded
talent as a certified coach to helping entrepreneurs and businesses improve
productivity, cut costs by over 25% and find that elusive extra time in the
day for family and friends.
Cheryl recently launched Prime Leaders Community, an excellent business
resource that provides networking, leadership coaching and training, tele-seminars
and much more. She has successfully started, owned and operated 3
businesses, and is the author of four books: Injecting The Juice Into
Leadership
|
