Monday, Aug 1, 2011How Overcoming Procrastination Can Lead To Accomplishment

In order to move ahead, it’s sometimes necessary to move backwards from the end. So many of us have a bad habit – procrastination. This problematic mental attitude affects all of us to one degree or another and overcoming procrastination can be a challenge for anyone.

Our lifestyles in the year 2011 are very complex: the options for choosing are overwhelmingly large, and many of us simply sidestep making any decision by making none at all “until later.” “Until later” is what procrastination is all about, and eventually a habit gets formed where nothing gets done in the present moment and nothing gets done later, either. Our sense of accomplishment erodes.

And what is the “why” behind procrastination?

• I can’t do it now.

• I have too much else on my plate.

• I’m not sure what the right decision is.

• I don’t want to appear less-than.

• My family will laugh at me.

• I’m not very good at this.

• This other task is easier.

• I can’t do it perfectly now.

• I love the adrenalin rush of doing things last moment.

• I’m feeling too overburdened and discouraged to make one more move.

• My decisions aren’t good ones; why make them?

• I’m afraid of failing.

• I’m afraid of succeeding.

If any of the items in the list above are singing your name, you may be one of those folks who let your work-a-day pressures lead you from the decisions that would focus you forward. Here’s a tip on overcoming procrastination – I am going to recommend that you travel forward in thought to the last day you’ll have here on earth.

On this day, all the small stuff will seem unimportant to you. You won’t be thinking “Can I pay my bills?” or “Am I too fat?” as you lay dying. Instead, you’ll be looking back over your life in overview style – and in your thinking on that last day will be only those items of true importance. You are the only one who will know what you’d be thinking on that last day. For me, it would be “Did I give back enough? Did I share my understanding with my fellow man?” What would it be for you?

If you can name it here today, it will promote a new way of thinking about your life. You will be placing yourself at the end to gain a fresh new perspective – to see what is truly important to you in the now, and then you can grant yourself a fresh start to actually live in a manner that allows you to accomplish what is most important to you in your life.

Obviously, to gain that sense of accomplishment, you will have to abandon your habit of procrastinating. You will have to make a list indicating that you are in complete charge of your life and that the habits you will next put into place will allow you to create a new habit of accomplishment vs. your old habit of procrastinating.

Right now, you can decide where you want to place your focus, your thinking and your accomplishments so that what has true meaning and real importance for you both receives and deserves your attention, your planning, your actions and your accomplishment.

There will be times when you slide back into your old way of thinking. This is the time when you remember your resolve, re-read your to-do list and see how much you’ve already gotten done so that you can get back on your new track.

And don’t forget to stop on your path and smell the roses. Enjoy deep breathing. Love the sunrise and the sunset. Pat yourself on the back for the steps you’ve taken toward your new goals. Your sense of accomplishments will imbue enjoyment and love and you will be on the road to overcoming procrastination.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. ~ Thomas Jefferson