Overcoming Procrastination - You Can Achieve Success Part Two

Although procrastination causes us to put off our responsibilities because we simply "don't feel like it" and is a terrible habit pattern that can destroy everything we work hard for, the good news is that going through such an experience can be motivating and it teaches you to be stronger with the self discipline you must have for success.

Everyone battles procrastination at some point in their lives. Even the most successful men and women who appear confident, secure, and seem to get ten times more done in a day than most people, have at one point in their life stumbled and failed due to procrastination.

What do these people know that you don't know?

The truth is that it's not so much what you "don't know" as it is of what you are "not doing". You see, those of us who have overcome procrastination habits practice better habits through mental activities which act as self motivators. Below I am going to describe one such self motivator that I consider to be the simplest and most effective ways that anyone can utilize to get over the habit of procrastination.

It's called "Do it now"

One of my favorite success coaches, Brian Tracy, teaches about overcoming procrastination in a few of his courses. Over 10 years ago there is one small part that has stuck with me even today. What is it? It is simply saying to yourself, whether out loud or internally, the following three words: "DO IT NOW!"

Every time there is a task at hand that must be done and I get that little nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach telling me to avoid the responsibility, I simply repeat the words "Do it now" in my head over and over. In fact, I like to have one index card that has those words written on it taped to my desk. If it sounds simple, it is. And it's easy too. You'll be surprised at how fast you start moving along when you practice this exercise on a daily basis.

I personally use this method of self suggestion at least a hundred times a day, literally! Regardless of what the activity is, I repeat the words "Do it now" before virtually every task that I get into. Before its time to exercise, take care of those calls I've been meaning to make, paying bills, work projects - you name it and I use this simple self motivator to get me moving and pumped up.

What are the results?

This exercise has a very interesting effect on not only your motivation levels, but even physiologically it seems to get the blood flowing, so to speak. We all have energy levels that can be increased or decreased depending upon our thoughts.

For example, how many times have you just been absolutely dreading to start work on a particular task? And it just seems like it's going to be the most difficult and draining experience you can imagine. The more you think about this thing you have to do, the more tired you get and you end up putting it off longer and longer.

But then, what happens when you finally sit down and was forced to get it done? I am willing to bet that it wasn't nearly as difficult as you imagined and because you had no choice, the energy that flowed help you to breeze through the task and gave you a wonderful feeling once completed.

This is the same type of energy that I am talking about. When you use self motivators like "Do it now", you'll produce a positive, mental, and emotional feeling that in turn gives you more physical energy to help you get through whatever project you have been procrastinating on. Try it and I guarantee you'll be amazed at the results.