In part 1, you met Francine; she struggled to overcome procrastination in her health and happiness. Have you ever wanted to get healthier and not been able to get started or started but not been able to stay with it?Read Part 1 Here
We catch up with Francine, a small business owner, author, wife, mother, effective communicator, and spiritual seeker. She had solid relationships with her clients, friends, and family.
One area of her life frustrated her because she could not get started, or if she did, she could not stay with it.
The doctor told her that losing 15 pounds would make her feel better, have more energy, and help her heart be healthier. Part of her knew he was right, and part believed she would be on the road to endless sacrifice. She just wanted to be thinner without giving up her loved foods.
Francine had talked about dieting but never made changes to make her happier and healthier. She always said she would start next Monday. When the next Monday arrived, she would procrastinate by finding other activities to keep her too busy to pay attention to her health.
Everyone procrastinates on something. It’s important to recognize that Francine and you are not alone; procrastination is normal, and there are strategies you can embrace to get through it.
In fact, procrastination is so common that strategies have been tested and proven. Here are the top four tips to overcome procrastination from Part 1 Read Part 1 here
Tip #1- Give it Five or Ten
Tip #2 – Find Your Why
Tip # 3 – Work on Your Discipline
Tip #4 – Set Realistic Goals
Here are tips 5 through 9 to help you overcome procrastination:
Tip # 5 – Visualize the Completed Task
Imagine you have completed the task. See it completed. Let yourself feel the feelings you’ll feel when the task is done. How will your life be improved? How will you feel about yourself?
It doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small project; this strategy works.
When you can imagine the outcome, starting the work is more manageable.
Tip # 6 – Make it Fun
Think about what you can do to make the task fun. Would it be more enjoyable to do it at a coffee shop?
Could you listen to your favorite music while you work on the task?
Or maybe you can enlist a friend to keep you company or help you out. Even the most boring tasks can be more enjoyable with the right approach.
Tip #7 – Positive Mindset Development
Wipe away all negative thoughts and language around your procrastinating task.
For example, if you think, “I hate cleaning my desk,” you might change that to, “I love having a clean desk. I feel more productive and creative when I have a clean desk.”
Then, you can focus on what is possible about the task or project and let go of the negativity.
Tip #8 – Break Up Projects
Break up large projects you’ve been procrastinating on into smaller bite-sized tasks.
Often, we avoid doing some things because we know they will take too long.
You control this. For example, you might paint one room each month instead of painting the entire house until the project is done.
You get to decide how the project is managed and completed.
If you’re procrastinating on a work project, you may not get to decide how it’s managed, but you can still break it up into smaller pieces that feel more doable.
Tip #9 – Group Similar Tasks and Projects
Sometimes, a task you’re putting off is related to other tasks. For example, cleaning your desk and updating your files may overlap.
When you group similar tasks and projects, you become more productive. You also capitalize on a productive mindset and feel accomplished when you’re finished.
One project runs into the next, and you are done with that dreaded project before you know it.
How To Get Started
Look at the tasks and projects you’ve procrastinated on in your personal and professional life.
One of these nine strategies will help you push through and get the job done.
Identify the strategy that may work best for you and enjoy your success. Procrastination doesn’t have to derail you or slow you down.
Nancy Dadami is an Intentional Creativity Guide, Feng Shui Specialist, and cheerleader for your dreams. Her passion is to empower seekers, conscious creators, and entrepreneurs called to growth, learning, service, and freedom. This results in living the best version of themselves, creating a life of abundance, self-awareness, purpose, and inner peace. Linktr.ee/nancydadami