So if you put things off too don´t
give yourself a hard time over it.
Procrastination means to literally avoid doing a task
that needs to be completed. We are all guilty of it
at one time or another in our lives.
As a matter of fact, one recent study conducted at Harvard
University had alarming results. The study concluded that
90% of the college students that were surveyed did
procrastinate and of those, 25% of them ended up dropping
out of college all together.
Overcoming procrastination is not always an easy thing to
do but it is doable.
Here are six guidelines to follow that can anyone in overcoming procrastination.
1. Time Management
Learning to manage your time is one big step to overcoming
procrastination. Writing out a list of the first and most
important items to be completed, down to the least
important items can be helpful.
Finishing the task that really needs to be done first, and
then working your way down the list will help a person
organize their priorities.
2. Goal setting
If a person doesn't have a goal to meet, success in
overcoming procrastination is unlikely. There has to be an
outcome from completing the task. For instance, if a
college student has a goal to get B's in all of their
classes, then they know that they have to study.
Also, setting realistic goals is very important. If this
same college student sets goals that are too high, then
they are setting themselves up for failure. Failure will in
turn lead back around to procrastination.
3. Rewards
Reward yourself if you complete a task. This will make it
easier to complete the next task. Also, do not dwell on any
failures; instead, pat yourself on the back for your
success.
4. Atmosphere
A person's environment has a lot to do with overcoming
procrastination. For example, if a person is writing, they
may need quiet space. Other factors are, comfortable
temperatures, lighting, music, and having the necessary
equipment available to you.
5. Organization
Before you sit down and try to complete this task, make
sure you are organized with the tools you need.
6. Discipline
A person can set all the goals they want, but the next step
in this process is to have self discipline. If a person
decides that they want to lose 30 pounds and they set that
as their goal, they need to figure out what it is going to
take to reach that goal.
Whatever it takes, whether it means a mile walk everyday or
watching their caloric intake, they need to push themselves
toward that goal.
Overcoming procrastination can be done if these simple
steps are followed.
You Are NOT Lazy!
One thing to consider is that procrastination is NOT
laziness. Our society tends to blame laziness on
procrastination. In most cases, laziness is not the problem.
Five factors that may cause procrastination are as follows:
1. Lack of interest in a certain task. If a person dislikes
painting, they are allot more likely to put it off than if
they enjoyed painting.
2. Perfectionism. Some people have a fear of failing. This
tends to make people not want to attempt a task that they
are not familiar with.
3. Personal problems. If a person is consumed with personal
problems in their life, they tend to put tasks on the back
burner while they focus on their problems.
4. Lack of concentration. If a person can't get focused on
the task at hand, it will be difficult to complete.
5. Low self esteem. The majority of procrastinators are
people with low self-esteem. They have negative beliefs
that they cannot finish a certain task.
These are just a few of the most common causes of
procrastination. Again, overcoming procrastination is not
always an easy thing to do, but with the right tools and
mind set, it can be done.
If procrastination is a habit on many more issues than just
a particular project, work on it! Don't try to tackle too
much at once.
Hit one project or task at a time and build your way up
from there. Before long avoiding procrastination will
replace the habit.
Time Is Moving On
All you need to do right now today is unlock your
personal motivation style - the step by step formula that
works best for you and your lifestyle.
Do that and 2011 will be the year you took control of your
life and felt secure and at peace like never before. Now,
imagine how good you will feel about yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment