Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Seven tips for avoiding procrastination.
Going to the gym. Practicing a new skill when you have no skill. Giving bad news. Dealing with tech support.
We all have to make ourselves do things that we just dont want to do. Here are some tricks Ive learned that help me power through the procrastination.
1. Do it first thing in the morning. If youre dreading doing something, youre going to be able to think of more creative excuses as the day goes along. One of my Twelve Personal Commandments is Do it now. Without delay is the easiest way.
2. If you find yourself putting off a task that you try to do several times a week, try doing it EVERY day, instead. When I was planning my blog, I envisioned posting two or three times a week. Then a blogger acquaintance convinced me that no, I needed to post every day. As counter-intuitive as it sounds, I think its easier to do it every day (well, except Sundays) than fewer times each week. Theres no dithering, theres no juggling. I know I have to post, so I do. If youre finding it hard to go for a walk four times a week, try going every day.
3. Have someone keep you company. Studies show that we enjoy practically every activity more when were with other people. Having a friend along can be a distraction, a source of reassurance, or just moral support.
4. Make preparations, assemble the proper tools. I often find that when Im dreading a task, it helps me to feel prepared. Ill tell myself, I dont have to do X today, but Ill get everything ready. I gather up phone numbers, print-outs, read background information, etc. Dividing a tough task into preparation and execution makes it easier to tackle.
5. Commit. Weve all heard the advice to write down your goals. This really works, so force yourself to do it. Usually this advice relates to long-term goals, but it works with short-term goals, too. On the top of a piece of paper, write, By the end of today, I will have _____. This also gives you the thrill of crossing a task off your list. (See below.)
6. First things first. That is, make sure you dont use little tasks to push off big tasks. I find myself answering email instead of writing, or reading Twitter instead of logging in my research notes. These smaller tasks are important and worthwhile, but I shouldnt use them to delay more taxing work.
7. Reflect on the great feeling youll get when youve finished. Studies show that hitting a goal releases chemicals in the brain that give you pleasure. If youre feeling blue, although the last thing you feel like doing is something you dont feel like doing, push yourself. Youll get a big lift from it.
What have I forgotten? What strategies do you use to stop procrastinating?
