Posts Tagged ‘procrastination’

Tips To Get Motivated and Overcome Procrastination

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

This article gives a different view of time management. They take it from the point of view of motivation and procrastination. Think about it. We want more time to do all the things we feel are important, but how do we feel about the things we need to do to receive the goals we want to receive? If we don’t want to do them then we automatically take more time doing them? This is a very interesting take on the whole time management issue. Read on for more!

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

Procrastination is a complicated behavior that affects all people to some degree. Some experience only small problems with procrastination while with others, it is a major source of anxiety and stress. Lack of motivation and procrastination is related to time management. Procrastinators often fail to complete tasks even though they know what the task is and the time they have to do it.

Why do people procrastinate? Often a difficult task is avoided in favor of the less difficult. Tasks that take longer amounts of time are less desirable than those that can be completed quickly. People sometimes procrastinate due to fear of failure. No one wants to be embarrassed by a lack of knowledge or skills when beginning a new task. Overcoming the fear of failure and developing good work habits will do wonders for those who tend to procrastinate.

The first step in overcoming procrastination is to recognize what psychological issues cause you to procrastinate in the first place. Self-defeating issues such as anxiety, fear, poor time management skills, indecisiveness, difficulty concentrating, and perfectionism can be major contributors to a lack of motivation. It’s important to clarify your goals and then work to achieve them.

If you do not know how to manage your time efficiently, there are classes and literature available to help you learn. In order to change, you first have to accept and forgive yourself for your shortcomings. Do not expect to change overnight, expect to backslide on occasion and forgive yourself when this happens. Give yourself adequate credit for tasks you do accomplish in a timely manner.

If you have a friend or coworker who seems to be highly organized and efficient, ask for suggestions as to how you can do the same. Reward yourself for small steps taken towards your goals and be realistic in your expectations. As with any type of behavioral change, overcoming procrastination will not happen instantly. Change your work or study habits to minimize distractions and promote wise management of your time.

Be disciplined in your approach by setting a realistic goal and sticking to it. Setting priorities is critical in learning to manage your time in the most efficient manner. Do not dwell on setbacks or mistakes. Focus instead on success and soon enough you will stop dwelling on failure and instead come to expect the best from yourself.

Motivation is the key to achieving success at work and at home. Motivation comes from within. Coming to grips with personal issues is the first step in realizing why you procrastinate and then taking steps to change. If you focus on self-discipline and proper time management, you will be able to change those habits that led you to be a procrastinator in the first place.

You can get motivated and stay motivated by implementing a few changes and observing a few personal rules. Observing and copying those who seem to always be a step ahead is also an excellent tool in overcoming procrastination.

Realizing that procrastination is a self-imposed condition is an important step in changing those bad habits into a lifelong formula for success. Make your plan, follow it carefully, and forgive yourself for imperfections. You will soon transform yourself from a chronic procrastinator into a highly motivated, disciplined individual.

Arina Nikitina is the author of the goal setting tutorial “How to Set and Achieve a Goal”. Get 27 proven techniques, 9 worksheets, and step-by-step success plan here: http://www.how-to-set-and-achieve-a-goal.com/.

arina@goal-setting-guide.com

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How To Beat Procrastination At Work

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

This is a good follow-up time management article to the previous one because it goes deeper into the mindset of how time is viewed by the individual, and talks about some of the habits we may have the cause us to not make the best use of our time. This article really discusses the some of the reasons we procrastinate and some of the solutions to overcome procrastination.

Listen. If you don’t beat procrastination at work the long
term consequences could be serious.

Take this example of how expensive work procrastination can
be…

The assignment that your boss gave you several days ago
still isn’t done. The assignment is a report that your
boss needs to take to an important meeting, and you may get
a big promotion if the meeting goes OK.

You’ve had plenty of time to get it done, but still just
don’t do it even though your future career could be in
jeopardy. What’s wrong with you?

You are one of the millions who procrastinate. You feel
inadequate, guilty, depressed and have low self-esteem.

Procrastination means avoiding doing tasks, which need to
be done – sometimes doing them at the last minute or
sometimes never doing them at all.

The reasons for procrastinating are as numerous as the
excuses one can make for not completing tasks.

A few of these reasons for procrastinating are listed below:

1. If you are a poor manager of your time and have
trouble identifying your objectives, you most likely are
overwhelmed by your tasks.

You try in vain to prioritize them, and failing at that
you’ve even been known to secretly throw a few written
requests into the trash, and later claiming you never got
them. You are a procrastinator.

2. You find it hard to concentrate. You may think
about what you’re going to cook for dinner or you daydream
about your next golf game. So you put off getting the job
done; you sit and think about it but take no action.

3. You may be easily distracted by outside influences
such as ringing telephones, other folk’s conversations, and
may even spend time performing “no-brainer” tasks such as
sharpening pencils, shuffling papers, or make endless trips
to the restroom or coffee bar.

4. Your self-esteem is very low. You have a negative
image of yourself and believe that you’re an underachiever
who can’t succeed at much of anything. You also may be
bored with the task at hand and lack enthusiasm.

But listen up – you CAN break the procrastination habit at
work as well as in every other area of your life.

Here are a few suggestions for beating procrastination:

1. Go on; admit that you have some fears and
anxieties about your ability to get the job done!

It’s a perfectly normal feeling, and once you face your
problems with concentration, time management, and the
inability to make a decision, you can take steps to change
them.

2. Instead of brooding about your problem areas,
identify your strong points, set your goals and priorities
and develop a “can do” attitude.

3. Use time wisely. The value you place on yourself
and your work has a direct bearing on your ability to do
your work in a timely, consistent manner.

4. Set priorities and perform each job accordingly.
Tackle the jobs you dislike aggressively; it’s best to get
them done and out of the way. Consider breaking large
assignments into smaller segments (if time allows).

5. Take a couple of minutes frequently to stand, stretch or
move about to energize both your body and your brain. If
possible, get some fresh air during breaks and your lunch
hour.

6. Take the initiative to change your work environment if
it causes distractions. Placing a barrier such as a tall
plant in front of your desk will block the view of
co-workers passing by.

Make sure you have the information and supplies at hand to
avoid the temptation to wander away from your work area.

A few changes in your attitude and work habits will make a
dramatic difference in the way you perform your work.

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (BK Life)The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free PlayThe Procrastinator's Handbook: Mastering the Art of Doing It NowProcrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About ItIt's About Time!: The Six Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome ThemTime Management for the Creative Person: Right-Brain Strategies for Stopping Procrastination, Getting Control of the Clock and Calendar, and Freeing Up Your Time and Your Life

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a
very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and
sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited
time only at: http://www.getmotivatedstaymotivated.com/special.htm

[tags]time management, procrastination, habit, work[/tags]

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