Overcoming Procrastination: Ten Tips For Breaking the Habit

My name is Doug, and I'm a procrastinator.

That's right, I'm a procrastinator. And it is likely that you are as well. It is generally accepted by those who have studied the issue that 95% of the population procrastinates on occasion, with 15 to 20% characterized as chronic procrastinators. According to Dr. Joseph Ferrari there are three basic types of procrastinators:

1. Arousal types, or thrill-seekers, who wait to the last minute for the euphoric rush.
2. Avoiders, who may be avoiding fear of failure or even fear of success, but in either case are very concerned with what others think of them; they would rather have others think they lack effort than ability.
3. Decisional procrastinators, who cannot make a decision. Not making a decision absolves procrastinators of responsibility for the outcome of events.

Regardless of which type procrastinator you may be, you'll be encouraged to know that procrastination is a learned behavior. That means it's possible to overcome the habits you have developed. With that in mind, here are ten tips for conquering procrastination:

1. Take responsibility. You are responsible for your success or failure. Taking responsibility for your actions if the critical first step to overcoming procrastination.
2. Acknowledge your fears. Whether it's fear of failure or fear of success, acknowledging your fear makes it possible to overcome that fear.
3. Set realistic goals. SMART goals (goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time limited) are the foundation from which all success is built. A failure to set realistic goals is an invitation to procrastination.
4. Change your environment. Does the physical space you occupy encourage you to work or does it contain inviting distractions from work? And are you occupying it at the time of day when you're most alert or does your attention wander due to fatigue?
5. Have a "to do" list. Write down the tasks you have been avoiding and keep the list in clear view. It's amazing how satisfying it can be to check off the tasks as they're accomplished!
6. Prepare for tomorrow. At the end of each day, take stock of what you have accomplished and then plan out your tasks for the following day.
7. Align your actions with your values. Simply put, do your actions reflect your values?
8. Set priorities. Nothing encourages procrastination more than having multiple tasks and no plan for which task is most important at a particular moment.
9. Reward yourself. Give yourself an incentive to accomplish a task. Just be sure that the "value" of the incentive is appropriate to the task.
10. Use an accountability partner. An effective accountability partner will hold your feet to the fire should you fail to accomplish a task that you committed to finishing.

Let me caution you to not let the size of this list scare you into inaction. It is not important that you immediately incorporate every tip. Pick the one or two that are most appropriate for you, but do it now. Don't let procrastination get in the way of your success. Use these ten tips to move beyond procrastination, and do it today!

Doug Petch specializes in helping organizations and individuals create the synergies in team building, leadership and communication skills that lead to sustained profitability and long-term success. He is also the host of the popular Sixty Second Success Seminar, an audio program focused on the tools, tips and techniques that anyone can use to navigate their path to success.

For more team building, leadership and communication tools, tips and techniques visit dougpetch.com