articles & videos Tips for Falling Out Of Love with Procrastination
Written by: Akua Hinds
October 1, 2021
Taking swift action is the best thing that you can do to overcome your love affair with procrastination. If you are like me, procrastinating is something that you have embraced more than once. Have you ever pondered about just what makes procrastination seem so attractive to so many people? Many of us do not truly consider the impact that procrastination impacts our lives long-term, but we end up delaying a lot of opportunities when we continue to push things off. When Scarlett O’Hara, the heroine of the majestic novel Gone With The Wind, said that “tomorrow is another day,” she was right in the sense that a new day gives us all a clean slate. However, it is best to look at today as your opportunity to create a more productive and prosperous tomorrow. Here is how to do that:
Slot Your Relaxation Time
Too much work and not enough play will not make you happy. Everyone, even the most compulsive workaholic, needs time to unwind. You should not have to wait until your vacation days to take a breather. Slot times throughout your day for 15 minute breaks in which you do nothing except think about your thoughts, focus on your blessings, and do things that bring you joy.
Track Your Time
A watched pot might not boil, but a tracked number certainly does grow. I find that the best way to track my time is to do it in 30 minute intervals. Sometimes, when I have a new book that I really want to read, I will look at my clock and give myself 30 minutes of reading time and soak up as much of the material as I can in that 30 minutes. I don’t allow myself to do anything else except for concentrate on that reading material, giving myself full permission to enjoy everything about the story. Setting 30 minutes to complete a task will feel very manageable for you, and you will not feel overwhelmed by doing what needs to be done in that time frame. If something requires two hours, just look at it as 4 intervals of 30 minutes to do it. You will feel good when you complete your 30 minute task intervals, and you will feel more motivated to tackle more tasks.
Rewards
Are you hugely motivated by getting rewards and recognition for doing a good job? How about rewarding yourself daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly for completing the tasks that you set out for yourself? Rewards can be as simple as eating your favourite candy and as extravagant as taking yourself on your dream vacation!! Remember, all of your goals, dreams, and accomplishments have one common denominator; you. Only you alone can put yourself in the position to receive the blessings that you are hoping to receive. If rewards motivate you then by all means, create your own rewards system. Doing these things will help you to be in a position to reward others if you decide to enter into a leadership position.
Accountability Partner
One my family members told me about an online community like Focusmate, which helps people find accountability partners to help them be accountable for completing their personal and professional tasks. This type of service matches people worldwide via the internet, and people who are matched together have online video sessions in which they introduce themselves to each other, explain what they need help being accountable for, and work together yet apart to hold each other accountable. For instance, if you want someone to “be there” while you work on organizing your kitchen cupboard, your online accountability partner will be observing you or working on their own tasks as you do what you need to do. You both are agreeing to observe each other while working on your own tasks at the same time. This is a service that you should use if you feel more motivated when you believe that someone is counting on you to follow through with your promises. When your love for accomplishing your goals outweighs your goals for procrastinating, you will see things change in a positive way. Soon, the habit of tackling your goals quickly will help you to feel confident and proud of what you can do. Your love affair with procrastination will fade as you develop a love for enthusiastically achieving the tasks that you set out to do.
Akua Hinds works as a marketing business owner, journalist, pianist, vocalist, teacher, and actress. Her 3 dating websites www.InterracialDesires.net, www.RichSinglesDate.net, and www.ChristianPartner.co, help millions of singles worldwide to find their soulmates. Akua’s Pure Romance by Akua Hinds business at www.PureRomance.com/AkuaHinds helps adults to connect and to shop for the best romance products on the market. Please visit www.AkuaHinds.com for more information.