Overcome Procrastination Now!

If you’re a procrastinator, see if you recognize yourself in the following statements.

1.  I don't have time to do everything!

Think about this: We have a finite amount of time, and we need to make wise choices about how we spend it.

Are there tasks that really aren’t important in the grand scheme of things? Cross them off your list, and let go of the guilt. Are there things you can delegate to a spouse, like bill-paying, or to a child, like laundry? Can you hire someone to clean the house, do the filing, or run personal errands? The things that are important that can’t be cancelled or delegated should be scheduled into your calendar. Make and honor appointments with yourself to spend time on them.

Are you easily distracted, flitting from task to task, never really finishing anything? Limit distractions by closing the door, turning off the phone, and using a timer to keep you focused. Set it for 15 minutes, and when it rings, see where you are. Are you still focused, or have you gotten off track? Carry the timer around with you if you need to.

How much time do you spend on time-wasters like email, internet surfing, or playing computer games? Ask yourself if these aren’t just handy ways to avoid doing what you should be doing.

2.  I don't know where to begin!

If there’s a large project you need to tackle, write down the steps you need to take to complete the task, and a timeline for completing each step. For example, to plan a child’s birthday party, some of the steps might include:

- Choose a theme (one month prior to party)

- Write list of invitees (three weeks prior)

- Write invitations and get them in the mail (three weeks prior)

- Buy invitations, party favors, decorations, and gifts (one week prior)

- Decorate the house (morning of party)

Plan out the details before diving in. Will you want to buy paper plates and plastic utensils to make clean-up quicker? Do you want to prepare food yourself, or arrange for catering? Where does that fit into the timeline? Plan to do similar things at the same time, like buying everything you need at once, preferably at one store. And be sure to schedule each step on your calendar.

3.  I feel guilty that I haven't done it already!

Well, guess what? You’re not going to feel any less guilty by continuing to put it off! Make a conscious decision now about whether or not you’re going to actually do this task. If you decide to do it, then schedule time to do it and don’t let yourself procrastinate any longer!

If there’s a deadline and someone is depending on you to do it, consider whether that person would have time to find someone else to do it before the deadline. If that’s the case, you’ll need to explain to the person who’s expecting you to do it that you’ve overcommitted yourself, and apologize. People are generally very understanding in this situation.

If it’s too close to the deadline to cancel, well, you’ve gotten yourself into this bind, and you’ll need to keep your commitment. Learn from your mistake, and think carefully next time you’re tempted to agree to do something.

4.  I don't have enough information!

Write down what kind of information you need to complete this task, and brainstorm on how to get it. Can you get it off the internet, or at the library? Who can you call who might have answers?

Let’s say you have some old books you’d like to get rid of, and you think they might be valuable. Look in the yellow pages for used book stores, and call to talk to the manager or owner. Call an antique store and see if they know of someone who specializes in old books. Call a book-binder, or a library that’s known for its historical book section. Take the time to think this through and get the information you need, then act on the information and get the task completed.

5.  I hate doing this kind of thing!

How can you make it easier, delegate it, or pay someone else to do it? Is there some way to make the task more do-able? Are there tools or methods you might not have thought of?

Is there someone else in the household who is capable of doing this task, who might not mind doing it as much as you do? Perhaps you could “swap chores” with your spouse or one of your kids.

Can you afford to hire someone to wash all the windows in the house once a year? Wouldn’t it be worth getting it done and off your mind?

I can’t emphasize enough how valuable our time is. Think about this: How we spend our time is how we spend our lives. The bad news is, if the way we spend our time is not in line with what’s important to us in our lives, then we need to seriously rethink our time management. The good news is that with guidance, time management is not hard to improve. If you’d like to change your life by getting control of your time, I can help. I can talk with you about what’s important, what’s neglected, and what’s stressful to you, and coach you to make positive and lasting changes in your life.

Blessings to you, and happy organizing!

Copyright 2008 by Cara Kinning, ORGANIZED FOR LIFE

Please contact me for reprint permission.

Organized for Life      www.organizedforlifeonline.com     (804) 330-0997