Become a Highly Effective Procrastinator

The dictionary defines procrastination as the act of intentionally putting off something that should be done. Procrastination can destroy our lives. In extreme circumstances, procrastination can cost us our relationships, our jobs and can cause health issues like depression.

Everyone procrastinates to some degree. Some people are mild procrastinators and they put off small tasks. If you are like me you are an innate procrastinator. Innate procrastinators put off all tasks. We put off everything from paying bills, to calling loved ones, to completing projects at work.

The good news is that once we recognize that we are procrastinators we can use that knowledge to structure our lives to become highly effective at completing tasks and projects.

1. Fill up your time with projects
   Innate procrastinators find it easy to push off one or two projects, however, when our schedules are full we tend to keep knocking out each project. Create a list of projects for the next week, the next month, the next 2 months, etc. With your schedule full you won’t have time to procrastinate.
2. Make a commitment to start projects
   Often times starting a project is the most difficult part. Make a commitment to yourself to start a project at a specific time. If that doesn’t work try setting a timer. When you find yourself watching TV or playing video games instead of starting a project set a timer for 15 minutes. That’s how much “free time” you have until you have to start your project. When the alarm goes off the TV goes off.

“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.”
– William James

Get Motivated in Autumn

When the seasons change, and the air starts to chill, it’s time to put on a cozy sweater and curl up with a good book. Autumn is also a good time to take inventory of those projects that may have fallen by the wayside.

If you are like me, you probably have lists of ideas in various notebooks scattered around the house. Some of those ideas you’ve been able to execute and others have been put on the back burner.

These ideas may range from redoing your kitchen, to selling things on eBay, to organizing your office.

There are only so many hours in a day and weeks in a year. Having some of your ideas being put on hold is enivitable.

Instead of feeling bad, take a moment to review your idea/project list and re-prioritize your list.

Re-prioritizing your idea/project list will help you determine which ideas to execute next and give you a sense of accomplishment.

10 Tips to Increase Your Motivation

1. Think, meditate and find out whether you really want to achieve your desire, and whether it is worth the effort and time.
2. Make your goal very clear. Writing it down will help.
3. Think often about your goal or desire.
4. Visualize your goal as already accomplished, and close your mind to contrary thoughts.
5. Read books or articles about the subject of your goal.
6. Read about people who have achieved success.
7. Think often about the benefits you will gain by achieving your goal.
8. Visualize, and think about how you would feel after achieving your goal.
9. Repeat positive affirmations such as: “I have the desire and inner strength to achieve my goal”. Repeat this affirmation often, with faith and strong feelings.
10. Start with doing something small concerning your goal. Success in small matters leads to greater success.

Link via www.SuccessConsciousness.com 

Good Video: Help with Depression

UK psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, Daniel Jones, discusses causes and solutions for depression.

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Not too Lazy to Get Motivated.

It’s not that I’m lazy. In fact, it’s just the opposite. I’m too busy.

I’m pulled in a million directions with too many things going at one time. I try to work on all of them and fail to complete any of them.

For example, when I’m in the office I have a constant barrage of emails, instant messages and meetings. I have to divide my time between all of these interruptions and my project work. With all of these interruptions occupying my time I enviably miss project deadlines and then I get an earful from my boss.

At home I have to divide my time as well. There are the things I WANT to do and the things I HAVE TO do. Between checking email, reading the news, watching TV, cleaning, reading that new book, etc, the list goes on and on.

I can’t do it all, so I try to do a little of each. Ultimately this is self-defeating and I end up feeling bad. What’s worse is since nothing ever gets accomplished I end up with less and less motivation.

After experimenting with different time management techniques I’ve finally got things under control.

I haven’t found the perfect system, but I’ve definitely made improvements.

Here is a list that I would like to share with you. These 6 tips will help you make progress and manage your time better.

1. Create To-Do Lists
   Every “expert” out there is going to tell you to create a to-do list. Seriously, one of the best habits I ever took up.
2. Break Projects into Smaller Chunks
   I have a hard time sitting down and completing a project all at once. I am, however, really good at completing small chunks or small tasks associated with a project. I recommend this technique highly. It allows you to make progress on a project and you can feel good about completing each small task.
3. Prioritize Your Workload
   Each of the tasks on your to-do list should be prioritized. This way you can take care of the more important ones first. Sounds obvious but those of you that are like me try to balance too many things at one time. A prioritized list helps focus your time.
4. Complete the Small Tasks
   This is the easy part and ultimately the most rewarding.
5. Check the Completed Tasks Off Your To-Do List
   Checking off the completed tasks off your to-do list gives you the visual that you have completed something. Sounds silly but it works.
6. Carry the List Over
   Anything that you can’t complete today rolls over to tomorrow’s list.

Following these 6 motivational tips will help you make progress on your projects and make you feel better.