How To Understand And Prevent Procrastination
We all have a tendency to put things off for various reasons and I'm not immune from this one either.
Most of the people I talk to on a regular basis either suffer or have suffered from procrastination. It's one of the top issues people have in trying to improve the way they use their time.
How often have you made yourself 'busy' just because you're putting off doing something you're resisting? Well, here are few things you can do to prevent procrastination.
You're most certainly not alone, so I hope you find the content here informative. Understanding why you procrastinate helps you to do something about it.
You can find out more about me and the way I work by visiting my website http://www.clareevans.co.uk for additional free resources and downloads.
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Table of Contents
The Effects Of Procrastination?
Procrastination results in a waste of time and effort and missed opportunities.
The person worries about the task they're putting off without actually doing anything about it.
It makes them feel guilty, easily distracted.
It can affect their sleep pattern, eating habits and if it goes on for too long increases stress and can cause depression.
The person is always tending to re-act to the urgent tasks because they've left things so long that now it HAS to be done. This becomes very stressful and long-term stress can lead to illness and depression.
A certain level of stress is good and having put something off for long enough - the buzz and relief of finally getting it done feels great but this is not a good pattern of behaviour to have.
In financial terms (especially for the self-employed) what is procrastination actually costing you.
The fear of actually doing something is usually far worse than doing the actual task itself.
The person worries about the task they're putting off without actually doing anything about it.
It makes them feel guilty, easily distracted.
It can affect their sleep pattern, eating habits and if it goes on for too long increases stress and can cause depression.
The person is always tending to re-act to the urgent tasks because they've left things so long that now it HAS to be done. This becomes very stressful and long-term stress can lead to illness and depression.
A certain level of stress is good and having put something off for long enough - the buzz and relief of finally getting it done feels great but this is not a good pattern of behaviour to have.
In financial terms (especially for the self-employed) what is procrastination actually costing you.
The fear of actually doing something is usually far worse than doing the actual task itself.
What Is Procrastination?
According to Chambers Dictionary definition - to procrastinate is:
to put off doing something that should be done straight away, especially habitually or to an unspecified time.
In every day terms this comes across as:
to put off doing something that should be done straight away, especially habitually or to an unspecified time.
In every day terms this comes across as:
- Busy being busy but not actually being productive because you're avoiding doing what you should be doing.
- Leaving tasks until the last minute when they become urgent or just can't be put off any longer.
- Don't want to think about it right now - "I'll leave it until tomorrow".
- Hoping it will go away, no one will notice or someone else will do it.
- Putting off more important tasks for the easier, less important tasks. (How much housework gets done when you know there's something more important you should be doing?)
- Delay making a decision - may not have all the facts and figures or just can't decide.
Why Procrastinate?
People procrastinate for a number of reasons - lack of motivation, skill, poor time management, fear, self-doubt, personal problems, distractions, perfectionism etc.
They may be resisting whatever it is that they're putting off. The task can seem overwhelming. There's an element of fear in the outcome - more often unfounded. It's more comfortable to do something else.
There's a benefit to procrastinating, some pay-off the person gets from putting something off. This can be positive or negative but the benefit of procrastinating outweighs the benefit of getting the task done.
People will do tasks that are more interesting, exciting or that they feel more comfortable doing, in preference to the more difficult, mundane or boring tasks, which can be equally important and subsequently become urgent if they're left for too long. Like procrastinating over doing your Tax Return, paying a bill.
Not all procrastination is bad.
Sometimes people procrastinate because something doesn't 'feel right'. How many times have you had a decision to make or something that needs doing and by delaying the need disappears or the decision becomes clearer? If you hadn't procrastinated you'd have ended up doing something you didn't really want to do. That's not an excuse to procrastinate, just an indication to look at where the resistance is coming from and why.
They may be resisting whatever it is that they're putting off. The task can seem overwhelming. There's an element of fear in the outcome - more often unfounded. It's more comfortable to do something else.
There's a benefit to procrastinating, some pay-off the person gets from putting something off. This can be positive or negative but the benefit of procrastinating outweighs the benefit of getting the task done.
People will do tasks that are more interesting, exciting or that they feel more comfortable doing, in preference to the more difficult, mundane or boring tasks, which can be equally important and subsequently become urgent if they're left for too long. Like procrastinating over doing your Tax Return, paying a bill.
Not all procrastination is bad.
Sometimes people procrastinate because something doesn't 'feel right'. How many times have you had a decision to make or something that needs doing and by delaying the need disappears or the decision becomes clearer? If you hadn't procrastinated you'd have ended up doing something you didn't really want to do. That's not an excuse to procrastinate, just an indication to look at where the resistance is coming from and why.
How To Stop Procrastination
Understand where the resistance is coming from. Why are you putting off a particular task? Really think about it - overwhelm, fear, lack of knowledge or skills.
Looking at the reason for the procrastination can help identify ways in which to stop it from happening or at least to start working on it.
There are several techniques you can use to help prevent procrastination, depending on the task and the reason:
Looking at the reason for the procrastination can help identify ways in which to stop it from happening or at least to start working on it.
There are several techniques you can use to help prevent procrastination, depending on the task and the reason:
- Planning out what needs to be done on a daily basis - making sure the outcome of the tasks is aligned with person's goals - in business or personally, otherwise it's wasting further time and effort.
- Plan time into your schedule in advance - don't leave it until the last minute.
- Prioritise what's important - be honest. Is it really important or just a 'nice, fun thing to do'. Is there something more important that needs doing?
- Breaking a large, overwhelming task down into smaller tasks. Get down to the very first thing, the smallest step that needs to be done and just do that. This might be as simple as writing down a few notes on paper, making a phone call or sending an email. Just get the ball rolling. Once you get started it's surprising how much easier it can be to keep going.
- Quick bites - putting off a pile of filing which just builds up and up and gets worse the longer you put it off ... just spend 10-15 minutes on a task. Putting a time limit on tasks - increases the rate at which you work so you actually get more done. Also, only 10 minutes doesn't seem as bad as having to tackle the whole pile in one go!
- Just Do It! Putting something off like a phone call or an email? Instead of saying to yourself, ' I'll do it in a minute, or I'll do it later %u2026 do it now! Just go for it and get it out of the way and then you can move on and stop worrying. I find this technique works really well. Catch yourself putting something off and just do it.
- Get someone else to do it. If you hate cleaning, filing, admin, doing your books, mowing the lawn, you're probably going to put these tasks off until you absolutely have to do them. If you can't afford a cleaner - get the family to help out. Women in particular are good at taking too much on and then feeling overwhelmed. Get a book-keeper to do your books once a month - etc. Is it better use of your time to do the task yourself or pay someone else to do it? (Another good one for business owners and the self-employed).
- Put systems in place to make life easier and remove the excuse for procrastination. Pay all your bills on direct debit. Organise paperwork as it comes in, file on a regular basis. Keep your work/living space clear and uncluttered, so you don't get distracted by other things that 'need doing'.
Monthly Newsletter - I can't do that!
My latest newsletter is just out. This month's main article is about the limits we impose on ourselves.
"I can't do that". I'm sure you've heard those words before, you've either said them yourself when confronted with a challenge or you've heard other people say them either about themselves or about others.
First of all, who says you can't. Is it you that's saying it or someone else? How often have you shared your dreams and ideas with someone and they come out with "You can't do that" - either because they don't think you're capable of it or because they can't do it and don't understand why anyone else would want to do it.
If you want to read the rest of the newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll receive the latest issue and free Power Time Tips.
"I can't do that". I'm sure you've heard those words before, you've either said them yourself when confronted with a challenge or you've heard other people say them either about themselves or about others.
First of all, who says you can't. Is it you that's saying it or someone else? How often have you shared your dreams and ideas with someone and they come out with "You can't do that" - either because they don't think you're capable of it or because they can't do it and don't understand why anyone else would want to do it.
If you want to read the rest of the newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll receive the latest issue and free Power Time Tips.
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A specific teleclass for one of the more common challenges facing busy people today. Find out tips and strategies for getting to grips with your paperwork, how to clear a backlog and how to avoid it building up in the first place.
Register for the next Time Management Teleclass on Tuesday 16th December. at 12.45pm GMT (07.45am EST).
Sign-up for the Get Control Of Your Time - Handling Paperwork Teleclass today for only £9.99 and get a free Bonus - weekly Time Tips (worth £10)
Free Resources
Resources and downloads to improve your Time Management and prevent Procrastination
Top Tips Work Life Balance. Spending too much time at work? Improve your work life balance.
Life Balance Wheel. A quick exercise to see how balanced your life really is right now.
Know your top three goals? Get a customized free Goals Report in less than 5 minutes by answering a few simple questions.
Money Habits Checklist. See what money habits you have and where you can make changes.
Life Balance Wheel. A quick exercise to see how balanced your life really is right now.
Know your top three goals? Get a customized free Goals Report in less than 5 minutes by answering a few simple questions.
Money Habits Checklist. See what money habits you have and where you can make changes.
Recommended Reading
... if you have the time to read.
Here are a few book recommendations for you. You can find additional reading suggestions on my website.
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- KristenB KristenB Aug 17, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
- Great tips on procrastination!! My favorite is putting systems into place. I've found that this is the best way for me to maximize my time AND get the work done. It also gets the work done MY way, because I set up the systems myself. Thanks for sharing!
Kristen Beireis
by clareevans
Clare is a Personal and Business Coach who works with busy, individuals and small business owners to help them plan and organise their time...
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