How to Overcome Procrastination
October 15th, 2007 Posted in ProductivityHow many times have you said to yourself, “I’ll get that done tomorrow.”, “It’s on my list of things to do.” Or maybe, “I’ll get to it someday.” So we finally got off our lazy butts and found some creative ways to help get you out of the puttin’-it-off mode.
We’re giving you the tools so you’ll stop saying “It’ll wait” or “I’ll get to it someday.” Thanks to The Happy Rock for the great tips on how to stop procrastinating.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Hi, I’m Nikki Key and you’re watching The Daily Idea.
Welcome to another episode of the Daily Idea. We’re so glad you’re spending these few minutes with us right now and not … you know … working on that presentation … returning the overdue library book … calling your mom back. It’s okay … it’ll wait … at least for a couple more minutes while The Daily Idea tells you how not to procrastinate.
How many times have you said to yourself, “I’ll get that done tomorrow.”, “It’s on my list of things to do.” Or maybe, “I’ll get to it someday.”
All of us at one time or another have put something off until the last minute. According to the Daily Idea research staff, who just handed us these results minutes ago, procrastination is actually an avoidance behavior studied by psychologists. Chronic cases of procrastination can actually indicate a deeper psychological disorder.
Well, the Daily Idea can’t have all of you being carted off the funny farm, so we finally got off our lazy butts and found some creative ways to help get you out of the puttin’-it-off mode.
First, make a work back schedule. Get out your weekly calendar and find the day your task should be done. Think about how long it will take you to accomplish the task and work backwards from the deadline to know when you need to start. Now put the time you need on your calendar as if it were a mandatory performance review with your boss.
Next, create accountability. Have a co-worker, a friend, or – if you can stand it – your boss make periodic checks to see if you’re on target to finish on time. By having someone to report to, you mentally prioritize tasks higher.
Another great tip is to analyze the task and find meaning. You need to do laundry because if you don’t, your clothes will smell bad or you’ll have to walk around naked.
And last, but not least, make the task fun. Whether it’s making a basketball hoop out of the laundry basket to challenging yourself to add fancy graphics and amaze everyone at your improved presentation skills … find something that gives the project some playfulness. Anything described as “playful” will avoid being swept aside.
So, what are you waiting for? We’ve given you the tools so Stop saying “It’ll wait” or “I’ll get to it someday.”
Remember folks, “someday” isn’t a day of the week.
And that’s another Daily Idea.
