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Procrastination Buster – Develop an Unstoppable Positive Attitude And Laser Focus

By Al Smith | 3 Comments

OK. We have some goals. Where are we? How are we doing so far? What is the “as is” situation?

If we are having trouble with Procrastination, then attitude and focus is as good a place as any to start. Overwhelm can stop you right in your tracks and straight into procrastinating.

I love quizzes, we find out so much about ourselves. Here is a short quiz that may help you identify an area where a negative attitude could be keeping you from taking charge of your life. Answer “yes” to the statements that might describe you.

1.    I get discouraged when I think about all the problems I have.

2.    I often wonder why my life is not as rewarding as it could be; many people around me seem to be living more satisfying lives than I am.

3.    I have trouble focusing on my goals; I’m easily distracted at work.

4.    I tend to put off getting started on projects because I’m always thinking about the things that can go wrong.

Some of the above statements are pretty vague and can be indications of overwhelm. We may be thinking of too many things at once instead of breaking them up and handling them one at a time.

If you answered “yes” to any of the above statements, make a commitment to start retooling your attitude today. Read motivational books and listen to inspirational recordings. Start to associate with positive thinkers, people who have gone before you and succeeded at what you are attempting.

Remember, we can cause our own feelings; Emotion is largely a function of motion. I can solve my problems because a long time ago I realized that many times I am in fact the major cause of my own problems. Correct Posture, deep breathing, and creating quick power moves can move you forward to action many times.

Don’t let a negative attitude stand in the way of your happiness in life. Never let someone else with a negative attitude stand in your way either. And certainly, never make an important decision when you’re feeling down.

Analyze your days. Keep a log of successes or failures to take action. What preceeded each of these? We all have tendencies and habits. Are yours empowering you?  Or are they disempowering you and preventing you from taking action? Check it out, make changes.

Find out for yourself, what is your best time for making decisions? What is your worst time? What is your best time for working on difficult tasks? Is there a time of day when you tend to procrastinate more? Is there a time of day when you tend to procrastinate less?

Here are two tips for improving your focus and that can help you take the first steps toward overcoming procrastination:

1. Focus on the one result you want to achieve. The more you focus on obstacles and problems, the more discouraged you’re likely to get. If you’re not getting what you want out of life, you probably suffer from a lack of focus.

Don’t focus on all the things that can go wrong. Things can always go wrong and generally you will come across some things you will have to change. Focusing on the hazards involved in trying to do something will almost always convince you to give up before you start.

This is why procrastination can be such a dangerous demon. It prevents us from focusing on our goals. Procrastinators usually focus on all the reasons not to move forward, instead of focusing on the goal they want to achieve.

2. Once you start to take some action, any action, any task, then give your complete and full attention to whatever you’re doing. Be present.

When you concentrate on the things that can go wrong, you can’t stay focused on the job you’re doing. Failure and inaction is the inevitable consequence of a lack of focus; if I think I’m going to do a bad job, I probably will-or I may never get started at all.

I’m not advising you to throw caution to the wind here, be intelligent. But every task we undertake has things that can go wrong. Simply said, it’s enough to know what the dangers are, be prepared to respond to them, and then move ahead with the project – confident in your ability to handle whatever comes up.

People who dwell on all the things that can go wrong never get anything done. Productive people have learned to focus on the available opportunities, create opportunities from problems,  and concentrate on the benefits of successfully completing their projects.

Do this and true success is yours. You will have won a major battle in the war against procrastination. So go for it!

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Procrastination Buster – Manage Self Talk And Raise Your Expectations

By Al Smith | 6 Comments

How You Can Stop Procrastinating By Managing Your Self Talk And Raising Your Expectations

Many people believe they cannot change, that they will always procrastinate. Before any change can happen in your life, you have to believe that a transformation is possible.

There comes a time when we must say: “I can change, and I am willing to change.” (See also: Believe That You Can Stop Procrastinating!)

To break free of a life of procrastination and mediocrity, we must guard our minds against the negative thoughts that destroy our expectations of success. Tony Robbins says it pretty plainly: “Stand Guard At The Door Of Your Mind!” Manage your self talk consistently.

Here is a quiz that will help you identify important areas where you can take concrete action right now to change your attitude and expectations. Answer “yes” if you have ever thought or said the following:

·    I’ve never been a creative person.
·    Stay where you are until you have perfect visibility.
·    Follow the rules.
·    Please be logical!
·    That doesn’t sound like the right answer.
·    Please be practical about this!
·    Avoid making mistakes at all costs.
·    If this doesn’t work, I’ll look like a fool.
·    That’s out of my area of expertise.

Choose one of your “yes” items and reflect on the last time you said or thought it. Did thinking or saying it cause you to procrastinate or give up? Turn them around and state them in a more positive manner.

·    I’ve always been a creative person.
·    I take action even though I don’t have all the answers.
·    I follow the rules, and make some new ones when needed.
·    I like to be adventurous!
·    I’ll find the right answer.
·    I think outside the box!
·    Making mistakes serves me.
·    If this doesn’t work, I’ll try something else.
·    I will expand my area of expertise for what I need.

Our thoughts and words, our self talk, influence the outcome of our efforts-what you say is what you get. You employ the law of attraction and get what you don’t want if you are not careful.

Even a simple quiz like the one above can be a great opportunity to improve your ability to make things happen and get things done. Don’t expect to change your attitude by rushing through all the points at once. Baby steps create permanent change too. Need some extra motivation? See: How To Motivate Yourself To Get Your Goals.

Work on one thing every day until people ask you what happened. When others start to see a change in your attitude, you’ll know that you’re winning the war against procrastination.

It starts in your mind. When you have a total determination to get things done, you tap into unused capabilities you never knew you had-abilities most human beings never use.

When you expect to be successful, you jump at the opportunity to do the very things that used to cause you to procrastinate. For more on mind set, see also:  Stop Procrastinating Now – Set Your Mind To It!.

So, go ahead, raise your expectations. Expect success, accept nothing less, and actively work your plan. You will successfully reduce the habit of procrastination until it does not affect you anymore.

Always remember to beware of the mental blocks that threaten to keep us in a vicious circle of procrastination and defeat.

Today, make up your mind to rise above the level of mediocrity – give yourself a mental whack on the side of the head and move forward. Go for your goals with gusto!

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Procrastination Buster – Commit To Taking Consistent Action, No More Excuses!

By Al Smith | 4 Comments

People get stuck in a lifestyle of procrastination because they begin to believe their own excuses for not taking action. Procrastination is a big reason that some people fail to live richer and more fulfilling lives.

If you’re stuck in a rut of continual procrastination, make up your mind to stop making excuses. Re-Commit to your goals, get leverage and motivate yourself, and … allow for no more excuses … none, to stop you from attaining what you want.

If you’ve been making excuses for putting things off, here’s how you can take charge of your life.

First, think about all the things you’ve been postponing – at work, at home, in your personal relationships, or for your personal development.

Make a list. Don’t worry if it is a long one. This is a work in progress. There is no judgement here, just write everything you have been putting off, everything that has been holding you back up until today. This is a key use of words … “up until today”.

The past does not equal the future, just because you have been acting a certain way before, does not mean you will act that way tomorrow. Commit to the change.

Now choose one thing on that list that you can do something about today. Write down every excuse you’ve given yourself for not having done anything about it yet.

Ask yourself if you have considered all the consequences of your procrastination in this area. Do you want to live with them?

Do you have a legitimate reason for postponing this job? If not, then get to it immediately.

You have to be honest about this or it won’t work. Forget about what other people think; look in the mirror and ask the hard questions. If you do have a legitimate reason for delaying action in this area, then move on to another item on the list.

Find something that you can make happen right now, right today, simply by deciding to make it happen. Now do it.

When you have completed this task successfully, your satisfaction will help motivate you to repeat this process with another item on your list. Just take them one by one without looking at the whole list and getting overwhelmed. Overwhelm can lead to procrastination behavior.

Successful people know that a lot of their accomplishments depend on two things: taking action and staying focused on their goals. People who are successful in any business or profession have an ability to make things happen.

Successful people win the war against procrastination because they develop certain traits. This gets repetitious, but here we go again.

When you are finished with the present task, go back to your list and choose another task or project. Write down every excuse you’ve been giving yourself for not getting started, or for leaving it unfinished.

Put as many things on the list as you can think of. Now try to eliminate one excuse at a time. Ask yourself hard questions:

Why do I have to postpone this project? Is it necessary to go on postponing it? If my mentor were in my situation, would he postpone it?

What will happen if I keep putting this off? If I keep putting this off, when will I get it done?

Can I get started on it now? What part of the job could I complete now? If I postpone this job now, what other job will I tackle to make better use of my time?

As you successfully eliminate each excuse, think of what more you can do today, and do it.

Anne Frank wrote in her diary, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Make a decision to start improving your world today.

To defeat procrastination and get all you want out of life, here is what you want to do:

1. You must know what you want. (Define Specific Target or Goal)
2. You must take action. (Increase Leverage, Motivation and Discipline)
3. Be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. (Monitor, Be Flexible and open to Change)
4. Persist and Stop making excuses! (Develop Determination and Commitment)

You can do it. Go ahead, live your best life, procrastination free!

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Procrastination Buster – Accept Responsibility For Your Life And Be Honest With Yourself.

By Al Smith | 3 Comments

Overcome Procrastination Quickly — Accept That You Have Power Over What Happens In Your World

Much procrastination is the result of our deluding ourselves. Habitual Procrastinators tend to deny reality, refusing to accept responsibility for their lives.

To defeat procrastination, we must stop playing games with ourselves and get serious about our lives, our goals, and our mission.

Procrastination can be the easiest habit to change or it can be the hardest depending on your ability to accept that you practice it. Total honesty with yourself would be good here.

You will not overcome your procrastination until you accept the fact that you are responsible for what you make of your life. That may be more honesty than you are currently ready to accept, but there is no other way to achieve a richer life.

The first step toward overcoming procrastination is recognizing that it’s a problem. It is a bad habit. People who habitually procrastinate can have big problems or small problems, but many of their problems are caused by their own procrastination.

And don’t fool yourself, most of those small problems will become big problems through your habit of procrastination. Check below if any of these traits describe your actions.

Many procrastinators share certain traits:

- Use Excuses — They know what they should do about a problem, and in many cases they know what specific action needs to be taken. Yet they find reasons to avoid action.

- Feel Reluctant — They hesitate to do anything about a problem now, but vow to take action at some vague time in the future.

- Daily Delay — They promise to take action when the “right” circumstances present themselves. By making performance of the job depend on something else, they justify their decision to delay action.

They delude themselves into thinking that their hands are tied. They would like to do something but can’t – it’s not their fault. This belief will stop you cold. Accept that you have the power to change it and that will empower you move forward.

Research shows that you can develop new habits in just three weeks if you’re serious about changing. Think about people you know who always get things done.

What are their work habits? How do they approach unappealing tasks?

How do they stay focused? Find out how they are staying focused!

Here are some simple tips that can help you take charge of your life today:

1. Mentally prepare yourself to be productive. I begin every day with my goals list. I keep inspirational messages where I can see them. Then I visualize my success getting everything done during the day.

Procrastination is a real monster, and it won’t go away unless we do something about it every day. You do want to hit your goals don’t you?

If I’m passionate about a job, I can get it done at any time of day and under any circumstances – the problem is when to tackle the hardest and most tedious jobs.

Ask yourself this question: At what time of day am I most productive? When do I feel more energized? Many people say they’re most productive early in the morning; by mid-afternoon it’s harder for them to sit still and concentrate on work.

Others say they are most productive at night, hence the name “night owls”. Either way is as good as the other. There is no good or bad here. Just find out what is best for YOU. Then, try to schedule the hard jobs for your most productive time.

2. Don’t over-socialize at work. When you go to work, go to work. And, no . . . that is not a grammatical error. Work time is work time not play time. Work time is the time that you get to achieve your goals, so really go for it.

Office chitchat and gossip keep many people from getting more accomplished. Let people know when you don’t want to be disturbed. Think about the things in your work environment that contribute to staying focused.

Think about the things that distract you. What things distract you or make you want to postpone a job? How can you redesign your environment to eliminate causes of procrastination? (A workspace doesn’t have to be neat, you just have to know where to find things.)

We are not victims of our circumstances. You can overcome procrastination right now – you can do the things that need to be done right now. And you can learn to distinguish between the things that need to be done now and the things that can wait. Prioritize your time according to those things that are most important to you.

It all begins with you. Accept responsibility for everything that happens in your life . . . that will be where you find the most control. And . . . you will find that the habit of procrastination will no longer hold you back. Go For It!

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Procrastination Buster – Stop Gathering Information At A Predetermined Point

By Al Smith | 1 Comment

Want to beat procrastination – Stop gathering information! Set a certain time limit or a date when you will stop gathering information and get to work on your goal. Yes, some knowledge is necessary but get started!

Research shows that most of us spend up to 80% of our time on activities that have nothing to do with the success of our projects. We load ourselves down with endless tasks that keep us feeling busy, yet at the end of the day we wonder why we have accomplished so little.

Why do we miss deadlines, put off doing things we dislike, and accept stress and procrastination as a necessary part of life?

What experiences have shaped the way you think about time? Do you need to rethink your views? If you were asked to speak to a group of students about the best way to use time, what would you say to them?

This quiz will help you identify areas where you can take action to overcome procrastination today:

1. I often delay taking action and making decisions because I need to gather more facts.

2. I have a hard time knowing when to wrap up the research phase of a project. I worry about not having enough information to complete it.

3. I tend to get stuck in the middle of a project if changing circumstances suggest the need to make adjustments.

4. I always feel that I’m using my time well as long as I’m gathering information for a project.

If you answered “yes” to any of the above statements, you need to recognize that procrastination is keeping you from achieving all that you can in life. Many people delay taking action by convincing themselves they need to gather more facts.

Successful people know that effective decisions are based on opinions and experience first, facts second.

Set deadlines for yourself, even when you don’t have to. You will never be able to gather all the facts. You must learn when to say enough is enough. Make the best decision based on the facts you have now. The important thing is to act.

We live in an increasingly complex world; our information-gathering techniques can’t keep up with all the changing circumstances that affect our lives. We cannot control many of these circumstances, and we cannot control how other people respond to them.

Force yourself to act. Whatever decision we make today, on the fly we will have to rethink it – and almost certainly modify it – when circumstances change. No matter what you decide to do now, you will need to make corrections as you make progress toward your goal. Delaying a decision in order to gather more facts is one of the most common ways that people waste time. Don’t do it. Take action with what you have and be flexible. Monitor your progress and adjust as you go.

Always ask yourself if a task needs to be done at all. Ask yourself: What do all my tasks prove? Focus on getting things done, rather than on filling your day with more activities than you can possibly get around to.

If you want to overcome procrastination, stop gathering facts and get started on your project. Right now, do it right now! LOL!

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