Defeating Procrastination

Are you finding yourself procrastinating when needing to get something done? Why are you procrastinating? Let us start by defining what procrastination is. A common dictionary defines procrastination as postponing or delaying needlessly. To me, procrastination is a choice that we consciously or subconsciously make, based on how we are focusing on the effects of a particular action needed on our behalf. If we are focusing on why we don't want to take action in that moment, we will put off taking action and thus, procrastinate!

How can we defeat procrastination? How long does it take? I believe that we can break through procrastination and create the results we want now, rather than later - or how it usually gets...much, much later!

So, how can we do this? We can break through procrastination easily and consistently by consciously focusing on the positive thoughts and strong positive feelings we will get by taking action and more importantly, the strong negative thoughts and feelings to not taking action, or in other words "the consequences." We usually do more to avoid the negative than we do to gain the positive, so the negative aspect of what can happen if you don't take action will drive your motivation to act.

Whether it's paying the bills, taking out the trash, painting the kitchen or going to work on that report your boss wants, by focusing on the positive side of completing these tasks, as well as feeling the effect of the consequences that can come to pass if you do not complete the task(s), can help drive you to take immediate action.

So why does this work? The key distinction to make here is that we procrastinate in a given moment in time because of the meaning we attach to taking action. If the meaning we are attaching focuses on why we don't feel like it, our physiology changes into a sort of depressed state and then we decide subconsciously that we don't want to feel like this and wham! Procrastination occurs. When we change the meaning to something that we want, or that makes us now feel good about taking action in that moment, we take action. I want you to realize that it's the meaning that changes in that moment that is the deciding factor.

Finally, how can we make procrastination less of a habit? Most of us already procrastinate and don't even notice it. Take my word for it. If you need to take action and you're not, you're procrastinating. It could be fear of failure or anything else that your brain is evaluating as some form of pain that is stopping you from taking action. You need to analyze what is stopping you from taking action and deal with it consciously. Say to yourself, "What will be the consequences if I don't follow through and take action right now. Also, focus on the rewards you will get and relief you will feel once you have taken action.

To help diminish the procrastination habit, consistently follow through and take action using the self improvement strategy described in this article. The more action we take, the quicker the new habit will form. New habits take at least 30 days to install.

Remember, procrastination is the thief of time - don't let it take over your life.

George Tsoukalas