How To Overcome Procrastination In 4 Easy Steps…Tomorrow.
If you have been reading this blog for even a short period of time, then I am sure that you would have heard me say at least once that I get distracted VERY easily. In fact if procrastination were an olympic sport, I would have a very good shot at Gold!
Here are a few Procrastination Quotes for your entertainment!
(If you are disciplined in time-management just skip to the main points to save time.)
It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in. ~Earl of Chesterfield
There’s nothing to match curling up with a good book when there’s a repair job to be done around the house. ~Joe Ryan
You know you are getting old when it takes too much effort to procrastinate. ~Author Unknown
Ok, let’s get back on track, but for those of you who liked the procrastination quotes I have added one more to each of the blogs points.
One of the things (I don’t want to say New Years Resolutions, because everyone breaks them) that I have decided to work on in 2009 is to overcome procrastination. I want to finish things I start and get to the end of a day and be happy with all the work that I have done.
So I have come up with 4 easy steps that I will follow (and you can too) on:
How To Overcome Procrastination
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Plan Your Day
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Remove Distractions
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Be Accountable
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Start Now
The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up. ~ Author Unknown
This is something that I started to do a bit during December and I was getting great results.
At the beginning of each day (well the ones I remembered), I would write a list of all the things I wanted to get done with my blogs that day.
Here is a list from one of the days:
As you will see, I completed everything on that list, including 3 blog posts, dropping 300 entrecards and transferring a website. Obviously I got more than this done, but these were the things that I wanted to do (that I usually wouldn’t).
Obviously this is the first step on how to overcome procrastination!
The idea is to make a list of all the things that you NEED to get done, and then also create another list of the things that you would LIKE to get done.
Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment. ~ Robert Benchley
Some people may be able to multi-task and be able to work as well as have the TV on, listen to music, answer emails, chat on msn and play games – BUT for the serial procrastinator this is just not possible.
Too many colours. Too much noise. In other words – TOO MANY DISTRACTIONS that seem way to inviting compared to what we are supposed to be doing. So work now – play later. Something that I did was set myself some goals. Once I completed 3 of my goals I could stop and watch tv for 30 min, or after completing each task I could check my emails.
Not only did I get a lot more work done, I found myself becoming less addicted to my websites statistics and my emails! (Because we all know that way to many internet marketers check their email and website stats a little too often!)
Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin. ~Victor Kiam
Procrastination is a problem that can sometimes be a bit to hard to break yourself. So if you struggle with getting things done even after you write a list then it might be a good idea to share your ‘to do list’ with someone.
This way they are able to hold you accountable for getting your work done by checking with you during the day to see how you are going.
I have never actually tried this method for myself but I know that if you have someone constantly checking up on you then you are more likely to get things done (think of when your mum kept bugging you about that homework you had due!)
“The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started.” ~ Dawson Trotman
One of the serial procrastinators most frequent sayings would most likely be: ‘I’ll do tomorrow!’
So kick the habit now, and start planning tomorrow – today! Go on, I dare you too!
So just wondering… who else is ready to kick procrastination?
Its good to have a plan listed out at the start of the day or else alot of time will be wasted figuring out what to do next..
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Great article, I should really do step 1, the todo list :)
Wesleys last blog post..What this blog will be about
This is a very good post. I always get distracted, but I cannot work without msn and music etc.
Shane Hudsons last blog post..An Interview with Jeremy J Ulmer
Those are great tips, i have been using them for a while and they really work great for me, also i have found that doing the more complicated or heavy task on your most productive hours is a lot better, for example, i have to do those tasks on the morning or else i will probably procrastinate by the afternoon.
Blpgirls last blog post..La frase del mes (5)
This is easily my biggest problem. I’ve started writing to do lists at the beginning of the day and I do think that helps. I also get distracted extremely easily, so that’s another thing I need to work on, need to make some time to be in a quiet place to do my work.
Very helpful list.
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Some may say plans are “too structured” but I for one believe in planning things out, setting goals, and achieving them
I can’t do the “fly by wire” thing, as it allows for too much room to fail, and be unprepared
it is great to fly by wire when you’re on vacation, but if important things need to be done, planning is key!!
Good write up! :)
Taris Janitenss last blog post..Borrowing to Invest vs Saving to Invest
I’ve recently implemented the method of writing a list and then checking them off as I do them.
What i usualy do is make a huge list the night before with the important things first and less important last.
Then the next day I go about doing these tasks, if I remember something or something comes up I’ll add it the the end of the last and so on and so on.
Basically the idea is the make a never ending list but it is very good at being productive and getting things done.
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I tend to procrastinate a lot due to the fact that I am always getting side tracked on things that I want to accomplish. Sometimes I even have a plan set in place outlining exactly what I’m trying to achieve and it ends up becoming totally different then I first attended.
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I would hands down win a Procrastination Gold Medal, shoot, I think I would win bronze and silver too.
Im actually using my computer to not do homework. I need to make a book for publishing, and finish 2 projects which I haven’t started.
Anyway, your tips are good, if you can stop procrastinating enough to put them into action.
Another good way to drop procrastination would be to get family to push you when they see it happening.
Blog for Bloggerss last blog post..My Recipe To A High PR
Haha. These are great tips. I am always telling myself that I’ll do it later, or I’ll do it tomorrow… And because of it, some things take me months to accomplish. (Yes, very sad.)
Now, I’ve taken to writing post-its. And I’ll put them up right behind my desk and write in bold marker what I need to get done.
Yeh, procrastination is probably the biggest fault I have. Thanks for the advice. Maybe I too will over come it. :-)
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I have already created my list for today and getting straight into it! Hopefully I can keep this trend going for the whole year- because if I do, I know I will have a very productive year.
This is a great list of suggestions. I found the list of tasks helps best as it really keeps you focused on what you want to do. It’s really easy to just get distracted.
My biggest problem is distractions. They pull me away from accomplishing my goals. I need to clear everything off my desk, put on the perfect music and just go to work. It’s my little ritual that has been working these past couple months.
The most important change is not getting mad at myself when I do lose focus. I tell myself that I’m just trying to do too much and to get back on track. I’ll jot done a note then go back to the original job and knock it out. This keeps my mood up and I stay motivated.
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I like your list. I especially like the fact that you use a list everyday. I do the same thing. I keep the list with me at all times so I know exactly what needs to be done on that day.
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I too hope to be able to stick to my TO-Do daily list and to get more productive this 2009
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I too hope to be able to stick to my TO-Do daily list and to get more productive this 2009
Most of the time it’s the “Distractions” that we all need to throw and run away from :D
Ah..the good old days of studying in the library during exam period…
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OMG! I emailed this to my brother! He is such a PROCrastinator with a bit of Cranky in there. I have two small kids, a household to run, my business etc.. etc… I cannot afford to Procrastinate. But, I slip occasionally. lol
Looks like one of my lists. I always keep a spiral notebook and write down the tasks I want to accomplish for that day in the morning when I wake up. If tasks weren’t finished from the previous day, they go to the top of the list. Being organized is critical in this business.
Dave (The Other One)s last blog post..Social Media Optimization for Social Media Marketing
Great roundup; I normally have problem starting as well; though I can do a lot more in 20 mins of concentrated work (whole 2k+essays!) then hours of ‘lapse’ works.
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I usually overcome this things depending on my mind. Sometimes all it take is a simple rest and nap and Im back in business again. Nevertheless great post…
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Very good post!
I usually make a plan for every day! What and how to do in next day! It’s much more easier and relaxed technique!
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I ll be number one in procastination from your entire userbase…Motivation and having a dream is the cure to procastination
ZK@WebTrafficROI.coms last blog post..Wish You a Happy & Prosperous 2009
I also need to have written goals to be able to cope with tasks on hand…I am not very structured in thes ethings
ZK@WebTrafficROI.coms last blog post..Wish You a Happy & Prosperous 2009
awsome tips there, I think most people could benefit just by reading this post, keep up the good work!
Lists have never actually worked for me; OK sometimes. I do plan it out in my head and luckily I usually remember at least 3/4.
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usually when people procrastinate is because they think that thing can be done tomorrow. What if tomorrow never come?? You’re screwed…So we all should live like there will be no tomorrow and get stuff done today…I like your idea about write things down. Make sure you prioritize the list or else you end up spend too much time on the least important one.
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The first citation is so damn true…. lol
I don’t like to do plans because usually i don’t stick with them…. thre is always something that makes me change my plans…. :\
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Now we just have to hope the people who really need to read this post won’t procrastinate on it and push it off until later :)
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I’m a really big procrastinator. It started in high school because of the crowd i was around (they rub off on ya) and it’s sometimes hard to rub it back off of you. But i’ve been doing better lately. I’ve tried the to do list before and i never found it again.
i really need to stop procrastinating though. good post and images, Tom
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[...] Overcoming procrastination is about managing yourself, not your time. You can’t change the amount of hours there are in the day but you can change how you use them. [...]
Start Now is the most important tool in any success. Setting goals and having great ideas is not so important, starting whatever in our mind is the main thing. If we can master it, everything will be easier.
Atnizs last blog post..Your Thoughts On Twitter
Just found the blog. I would definitely agree that multitasking is impossible for a person that procrastinates a lot. I definitely used to be a web-stat fiend too lol.
Very thought provoking. Dont put off today what you can do tomorrow LOL
Michelle
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[...] start things off, I made a note to remind myself to go back and re-read this post about beating procrastination because, while I don’t think I’m as bad as I once was, I do see myself needing to [...]
Very thought provoking post! I am going to create a post….well – after I finish watching the football game that is!
Goals are a great way to stop the procrastination. Before i set my new years resolution of 2 posts a day i could barley write 15 a month. Set up a plan and focus on the most important things
Your first tip is a good one. We should plan our day in advance. Not that the day might actually go according to our plan, but still it doesn’t hurt to plan it, does it?
Stick to a plan every day. You will eventually ward off procrastination and thus be more productive.