8-Step System to Stop Procrastination and Get Things Done
People come up with all sorts of reasons to procrastinate. Too busy. Too early. Not the right time. Too tired. Too risky. Too afraid. Uncertain. Cannot focus. Need to think more. Do more research. Too young. Too old. Too hard. The list of excuses is endless. Procrastination has been around for a long time. Famous figures like Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dalai Lama, Victor Hugo, Frank Lloyd Wright, Benjamin Franklin, and many other important people in our history have experienced different degrees of procrastination.
Abraham Lincoln said, “Procrastination strikes everyone, and once it gets hold of you, it can be very difficult to shake it off.” One of his most important speeches in American history, The Gettysburg Address, was finished the morning before he gave his address.
We all procrastinate and squander our time, fiddling with miscellaneous things like checking email and social media, watching TV or videos, surfing the internet, or doing other unimportant things. The more serious procrastinators tend to loop the vicious cycle of putting off things until the last minute by ignoring, delaying, slacking off, hiding, and not remember things until it’s unavoidable or too late. Then they regret and panic, wishing they had started earlier. It’s a bad habit that eats away our precious time, holds us back, and prevents us from achieving results and goals in life.
Before starting, you need to figure out the problem that is holding you back. With the right tool, the problem can be diminished. For me, I’m an over-thinker. It’s a syndrome called analysis paralysis.
You need to create a system that helps you get things done effectively and successfully. Here are my 8 personal steps that I have been using with great success to stop my chronic procrastination and gain more control of my life. These strategies can be applied to other procrastination related problems.
- Commit to yourself- Go deep with your “Why”. What exactly do you want to achieve in life and why do you want it? You want to figure out your purpose in life and the things that make you happy. Once you know what you want, you can start reverse engineering the things you need to do today.
- Take Small Steps- Start the smallest step possible toward the things you want to accomplish. Break down your goalinto bite-sized pieces that you can work on daily and make it easy to achieve. For example, I want to be a blogger, and I plan to put out some amazing content every Monday about self-development. This means I have to produce 52 writing pieces per year. What can I do to achieve that? I have to publish 1 article per week (based on 2-3 pages of writing). How am I going to write 1 article a week? Here is my weekly breakdown task outline. Make it simple and achievable.
Tuesday- Select and decide on a topic to write about
Wednesday- Research and read books related to the topic & take notes
Thursday- Work on the outline and bullet points
Friday- Work on the writing piece (1st draft)
Saturday- Work on and edit/revise the writing piece (2nd draft)
Sunday- Final polish of the writing piece and schedule it for publish (done)
Monday- Publish the final writing piece
- Block Your Time- Schedule time blocks for all your tasks and create self-imposed deadlines and tackle the hardest non-negotiable task first to help you know the exact things you need to do every day. Because the actionable task is small, you’re able to finish it. Every step counts toward manifesting your goal.
- Find an accountability buddy- If you can find someone you trust who is motivating you through obstacles, you definitely need to be connected and collaborate with this person. This partner can give you an honest opinion and help you move on to a path that you set for yourself.
- Eliminate distractions and temptation- Stay focused once you commit to your tasks. Any distractions that suck up your time need to put aside. Keep your task achievable and manageable, so you’re more likely to accomplish it.
- Enjoy small wins- Every small win can boost your inner “I can” power tremendously. This positive energy can serve as a motivator for everything you do. Don’t forget to reward yourself when you finish each task. Make it special and self-indulgent. No matter how much you have progressed, do something to make yourself feel good and show yourself a little love from time to time. The greatest encouragement comes from within.
- Eat healthy and exercise daily- Life is a journey worth celebrating and enjoying. Take time to relax. Regular exercise combined with a healthier diet can help reduce stress level and anxiety. After I started going to the gym regularly, I felt my energy level increase drastically. It not only boosts my immune system, but it has improved my mood and sharpened my brainpower. Exercise releases endorphins that create feelings of happiness. If you’ve procrastinated about committing to your fitness goals and have not done anything about it, it’s time to make a move. It’s hard to start, but once you started, it gets easier.
- Take Action- Rather than analyzing and thinking through every scenario, take action now. The more you delay your decision to do something, the more likely you’ll not do it. You’ll feel overwhelmed by thinking too much. Listen to your instinctive inner voice, start doing things and adjusting as you go, and make it happen. Oprah Winfrey has said,“Every right decision I have ever made has come from my gut. Every wrong decision I’ve made was the result of me not listening to the greater voice of myself.”
In conclusion, you can visualize the lifestyle you want. To turn your dream life into reality or get the results you want, you need to rely on the 8-step system to help you. Break down your tasks into smaller actionable tasks then set deadlines. Remind yourself that you can do it and get rid of your distraction while you’re working on your important tasks. Stay focused on your tasks and reward yourself afterwards. Once you start to enjoy your first small win or two, you’re more likely to keep the good vibe going and finish everything you set out to do. A healthy lifestyle can make you fit, lift your energy level, and boost your willpower. Next time you are unable to get the important tasks done, be nice to yourself. Make sure to focus on progress and small wins because they will get the ball rolling and help you build momentum. Finally, take a deep breath and think about the “Why”.