How to Stop Procrastinating

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

How to Stop Procrastinating

Here is a simple three-point plan to stop procrastinating:

1. Think about the painful consequences you will suffer if you DON'T do the task.
2. Think about the pleasurable benefits you will enjoy if you DO complete the task.
3. Just start it

1. Think about the painful consequences you will suffer if you DON'T do the task.

The reason you procrastinate is because, each time you think of doing the task, you think about how painful, or boring, or difficult, it will be.

And since you are pre-programmed to avoid pain, you avoid tasks that you find "painful", and you seek out other tasks that are more "pleasurable".

You can harness the power of your natural predisposition to avoid pain, by thinking about the painful consequences you will suffer if you don't do the task at hand.

Make a list of at least five painful consequences you will have to suffer if you don't:

1. Do the laundry.
2. Do your accounts.
3. Tidy up the kitchen.
4. Arrive on time, (to catch the train), etc.

The more you dwell on the painful consequences you must suffer if you do NOT do something, the more you will feel compelled to get-on and do it.

2. Think about the pleasurable consequences you will enjoy if you do complete the task.

Because you are motivated by pleasure, you should think of all the pleasurable benefits you will enjoy IF you complete the task. Make a list of at least five pleasurable benefits you will enjoy, when you have successfully completed the above tasks.

The more you dwell on the pleasurable benefits of completing the tasks, the more you will feel compelled to get-on and do it.

3. Just start it.

The last step is just to start.

Start with the beginning of the first part of the job.

If you have been procrastinating on working-out, just say to yourself, I will go to the gym and I will do the first warm up sets of the first exercise, then, if I don't feel like it I will come back home.

Of course, you know what will happen.

By the time you have finished your warm up sets, your momentum will have gathered its force and you keep going.

You have the best workout you've ever had, and you can go home and feel the pleasurable benefits of overcoming procrastination and getting the job done.

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Martin Luther King Jr

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Time Management

• How to Stop Procrastinating
  The act of procrastinating means you are wasting valuable time, when you could be investing that time in doing something worthwhile or improving yourself. Use these simple strategies to overcome procrastination and take back control of your day.
  Read Article >
• Why are some meetings a waste of time?
  Do you feel meetings are a waste of time? Here are some tips to help you decide whether a meeting should be held and an app to help you calculate the approximate cost of the meeting.
  Read Article >
• Don't Leave it to the Last Minute
  One of the most common mistakes people make, is to leave things until the last minute. Preparation is the distinguishing factor that separates the winners from the losers.
  Read Article >
• How To Prioritise Tasks Effectively
  Discover how to prioritise effectively and improve your time management skills with our helpful guide. Find out more about our training courses online today.
  Read Article >
• Time Management Skills: Planning Ahead
  Time Management Skills: Planning Ahead One of the best things you could do for yourself is to develop the discipline of planning ahead Planning ahead is the best way to improve your time management skills. Planning ahead is the best way to maximise your personal effectiveness. Planning ahead will allow you...
  Read Article >

Advert