Overcoming Procrastination

If you're suffering from procrastination or aren't feeling motivated, don't feel bad. Motivation is an Outside-In process. In other words, any change won't last long-term because all change is an Inside-Out process! Instead of trying to get motivated, you'll get more effective and long-lasting results by finding and dealing with the underlying cause.

Take a moment and think about something you have been putting off but would like to accomplish. How do you feel? Do you get a feeling like a heavy weight over you or discomfort in your stomach? You don't have to put an exact definition on that feeling, but just notice how you feel. Having a characteristic feeling like that is a sure sign that you have some sort of unconscious thoughts or beliefs that are blocking your progress.

Why Do We Procrastinate?

Procrastination usually happens for a combination of reasons, some of which may include:

• feelings of overwhelm
• feelings of not having control to finish the task how you want - physically, mentally, emotionally
• not having a clearly defined purpose or reason to get started, or the purpose or reason has changed since you initially set up the goal
• there may be a deeper problem with your self-image, self-esteem, or unconscious programming that is interfering with or sabotaging your intentions

Tips to overcome procrastination:

• First, define or re-define your purpose for completing the task. For example, if you want to organize the garage, your purpose in doing that may be to have an organized area to do your woodworking hobby. Or possibly the original purpose has changed and you need to re-visit your intentions for the space. If you want a woodworking area, but the actual purpose is to make additional income by selling your hand-made furniture, make sure you focus on that new intention.
• Do you still feel overwhelmed or aren't sure where to start? Start with the backward step approach. First, visualize the positive end result you desire. For example, visualize in your mind your beautiful furniture and someone admiring it and handing you the money to buy it. Feel the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

  Now, on a piece of paper, list the step that would happen right before your desired end result. That could be "I am having pleasant conversation with many people as they browse my products".

  Then, list the next step right before that, writing one step at a time until you reach where you are at the present moment. Now the path is right in front of you! The key at this point is to take action on the next step that you can do right now to get you going towards your desired outcome.







• Schedule things you do repeatedly. This allows you to imagine that you can actually fit that task into your busy life. When all of your mundane daily tasks are scheduled at specific times, it leaves you more free time to work on your goal.

  For example, if you schedule checking your email twice a day at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., you are less likely to check it at 1 p.m. to procrastinate and avoid working on something more important.

  By scheduling repeated tasks, it also frees up time to spend with your family. You can then set aside specific days and times for them. Have you heard of couples having a "date night" each week? They do that because they know it is important to spend time alone with each other to re-connect. Consider setting up a weekly "date" with each member of your family that is your unique time together to do something they enjoy.

• Move! Movement is Life. Take any sort of action, preferably something physical such as taking a walk or stretching. Not only does movement recharge your brain and produce feel-good hormones, it also helps re-balance the levels of oxygen in your system so you can focus that brain energy back towards your goals!

These tips are sure to help you avoid procrastinating, but sometimes we are procrastinating because of fear.

If you haven't already, learn how to Overcome Fear.

So what's your next step?