Procrastination is Opportunity's Assassin - Victor Kiam

We all do it...Put off the big assignment...Put the exercise program on the back burner...Write the thank you notes later this week...We all avoid tasks that we find unpleasant, overwhelming or because we are fearful of failing.

Procrastination's etymological root is from the Latin words "Pro" - in favor of and "Crastinus" - of tomorrow...So, putting off till tomorrow what should be done today!

Some forms of procrastination have few consequences...Does it really matter if the dirty dishes sit in the sink overnight?...but others can affect our opportunities for success...Failing to complete an important project on time; or our health...Having a doctor take a look at that suspicious lump.

So what can we do to avoid procrastination? To be proactive instead of reactive? To systematically get things off I plate so we can lower our anxiety levels and get to do more of the things we enjoy!

First - focus on starting not finishing a task. A huge project, whether an end of the year report for work or cleaning out the garage can be broken down into a series of smaller projects to make it less overwhelming. Sometimes our avoidance of beginning a project has more to do with our fears surrounding finishing it...Suppose I can't do it? or What if I do a lousy job? Looking at a project as a series of beginnings rather than a uphill battle to the end can make it seem far less overwhelming.

Next , limit the time you will work on each smaller project so you see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Let's take the garage cleaning project. Give yourself a time limit of 30 minutes to clean up the garden tools. At the end of 30 minutes, stop and reward yourself! It's likely that you will have become energized by your accomplishment and ready to tackle another 30 minute segment!

Along with breaking a huge project into smaller ones, look at setting reasonable goals that you can attain in a short period...Who wouldn't procrastinate when faced with the goal of, "Lose 20 pounds", so instead make your goal to lose 2 pounds this week..."Learn to speak Spanish" or "Practice one 15 minute lesson of Spanish once a day" Which task would you most likely start and which would you avoid?

In our constantly updating world, keeping distractions at a minimum can be nearly impossible. So, think ahead when you begin a task. Using your computer to organize your finances? Turn off your internet connection so you won't be tempted to surf the web. Reviewing the data for your big project at work? Put the phone on Do Not Disturb and close the door or find a place away from your desk  where co-workers are not likely to come in for a chat.

When we come to realize that most of our procrastination is a response to our fears about our inadequacies, meeting those doubts head-on can help us get past the barriers we are setting up for ourselves. If you brainstorm the worse scenario that can happen if you fail to meet your goal, you'll realize that  your worries are probably exaggerated. By addressing your anxieties, you can get past worrying about your uncertainties and get to work accomplishing your task.

Procrastination robs us of time, opportunity and self esteem . Make one small change today, and another tomorrow and you'll be at the starting line of a more productive, creative and dynamic lifestyle!

Be Well!