Procrastinating? Start simple - call yourself out on it

Have you found yourself procrastinating lately on some "big" thing? First off - call it out!

Call what out you ask?

Call yourself out!

(1) I am procrastinating.

The next question is why? There are lots of reasons for procrastination. Maybe the biggest? Fear.

So again, call yourself out.

(2) I have a fear right now.

Now, the natural next question ... What is that fear? But you don't get that far along until you first "call yourself out."

Links to other posts on Procrastination:

Reason #4 Lack of Confidence

Reason #3 Lack of Real Commitment

Reason #2 Fear of Failure

Reason #1 Getting Started

Easy things first, right?

Why, when scheduling multiple tasks, do we generally choose the "easiest" one first?

It is because "easy" represents the least amount of change. It is not ambiguous. You probably have experience in doing it. It will not take as much critical thinking to do it. You can just, well, DO IT! You are wanting to be productive and you know you can be productive with the easy task, so you go for it. Maybe you are looking for a little confidence and doing what you already know may give that to you versus the harder tasks.

There is a big problem with starting with the "easy"and ending with the "difficult" --

When we still have that difficult thing to go, it's in our head, and it's negative. Whether we think this way or not, we have also told our self - I fear the most difficult things, so I will simply procrastinate.

When we have completed that difficult thing, it may still be in our head but we are done, the thought is positive! Then all of a sudden, something happens in our day - MOMENTUM! We are running downhill, not uphill. We are telling the world (and maybe most importantly yourself) to bring it on. Less fear. Less uphill running (procrastinating.)

So what do you do about this?!

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

You have 3 chores to get done Saturday morning. Start with the most difficult. End with the easiest.

You have 3 things you must get done at work tomorrow morning. Start with the most difficult. End with the easiest.

PRACTICE wherever you can! See where it can take you. See how you can build your own momentum.

Procrastination Reason #4 (of 10) - Lack of CONFIDENCE

Many people procrastinate because they fear a project or a deadline. The act of procrastination obviously perpetuates the problem. The more you "dodge" a project or looming deadline, the more ominous it seems because now you have less time than you did!

Think "small wins". How can you break down your project into more manageable segments? If you are procrastinating, think about the smallest, easiest thing you could do next. Make it a goal, no matter how easy it is or how short it takes. Then reach that goal. You have a "win", a small win but a win nonetheless. Now reflect on your accomplishment and win! ........ and simply repeat.

Procrastination no more!

Procrastination Reason #3 (of 10) - Lack of REAL Commitment

One reason we may procrastinate .... we never really COMMITTED to doing something. When you do not have a clear set goal or commitment, it is easy not to do it. You might "want" a lot of things: You might want to finish that never ending project. But, what .... are you committed to doing about that? If you do not commit to SPECIFIC ACTION, then it does not matter what you "want."

Procrastination no more ....

Procrastination Reason #2 (of 10) - Fear of Failure

#2 Fear of failure!

Sometimes people procrastinate doing something because they fear they will not be able to accomplish the (sometimes complex) task. They will fail! Their mind races into the uncertain future with the fear-cloud of failure hanging overhead.

One of the biggest reasons people procrastinate when facing a tough task or project is the fear of diminishing them self (in their view.) Thank about it ... if you don't try or don't start, you might not feel like you are risking failure. You did not try or start, so you did not fail! You know how we accountants are risk averse!

The problem with that is not doing anything at all ... all that does it keep you in the EXACT same position you are right now! If that is what you want, if moving forward is not a goal, then by all means do nothing. Hide out under your fear cloud.

How do you fight the fear mind-set? First of all, you recognize it. You identify fear as your obstacle and you identify the specific fear. Define the fear clearly. What are you specifically fearing? What is the outcome? How does that outcome affect you negatively? What is the real risk here?

Now you need to take a different perspective (because the perspective you were taking before was not working!)

What will it take for you to overcome your fear? Be intentional about it. Ask yourself:

What is the cost of NOT getting this done, of not trying at all?

What is the cost to your confidence and your personal brand of allowing fear to stop you in your tracks?

Is it ok if you fail?

Is it ok if you try and fail? How can that be a good thing? How can that be a learning event?

How will it feel if you can overcome your fear?

How do you specifically get started in overcoming your fear?

Procrastination no more!

Procrastination Reason #1 (of 10) - Getting Started

#1 The task is too much - You don't know where to get started!

Sometimes people procrastinate doing something because the project or task seems a little overwhelming and fear of the ENTIRETY of the project stops you in your tracks.

How do you fight that mind-set?

Define the very first thing! What is the very first thing you must do to get started? How specific can you be in defining that? Is it looking up somebody's number? Is it opening up a book to do some research? Is it writing the opening sentence in a memo? Make it simple. Make it easy. Make it something you can visualize yourself doing right now ... and then just do that one simple thing.

Procrastination no more!