We are all familiar with procrastination at some point or time. Putting off what needs to be done, what MUST be done.
If you’re an entrepreneur who wishes to build a successful business, there will be a plethora of tasks ranging from the mundane to the challenging that need to and must be done one way or another. There is no escaping it if you want to remain in business. Procrastination will only delay your success and reduce the amount of time available for you to get the job done. So it’s best to address it head on.
"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." - Abraham Lincoln
* Why do we procrastinate?
You may notice that we often procrastinate the most important tasks. If you’re a writer, sitting down to write may be the most difficult task of the day. You may rearrange your folders, do research, create story lines, etc.
You’ll do everything EXCEPT write.
The same applies to most people in the creative arts or those who are running a business and have tons of important work. We procrastinate because our minds view these tasks as painful and uncomfortable. So, our minds conjure up excuses, which often leads to filling other activities with our time. The illusion of being busy fools us into thinking that we’re doing important work when we’re not.
* Do What Matters Most, First
The best way to overcome procrastination will be to complete the tasks you’re dreading FIRST. Get them done and out of the way. The moment you do that, you’ll feel like a load is off your shoulders.
You’ll then have a sense of accomplishment and will breeze through the rest of the tasks. This is definitely better than doing the easier tasks and when you’re tired, you still have the important ones to complete. Procrastination will make you put off today what can be done tomorrow, however the cycle is destined to repeat itself.
*Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
The best way to convince yourself to get the job done will be to come to terms with the fact that the task is not pleasant. But you’re an entrepreneur, right? Success is a decision. Therefore, you have a choice in the matter here. And if you desire to remain in business, then you have only one choice, get it done. DO it anyway--get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That’s business! With time, you’ll get better at being self-disciplined.
"Action will destroy your procrastination." - Og Mandino
*Give Yourself 30 Minutes
No matter how much you dread a task, make a promise to yourself that you’ll just do it for 30 minutes. If you’re not in the mood after that, you can stop. Very often, the biggest hurdle is getting started. Once you actually begin working on the task, you’ll become absorbed in it and the time will fly by and you’ll complete it efficiently.
Giving yourself that 30 minutes will prevent your mind from being overwhelmed. It’s a simple trick that works. Anybody can do something for a few minutes. So, you’ll start and after that you’re more likely to keep going. If you’re really not in the mood for it, then stop. Come back to it later and try again for another 30 minutes and see how it goes. It’s a very powerful technique to get you used to doing what you’re dreading and avoid procrastination. But try it, it may be just what you need! Now, if you are going to be in business, this can’t be the norm.
* Avoiding the Inevitable, Won't Make It Easier
Let’s be honest, the 30-minute rule is not an all-time solution, but with time, you’ll procrastinate less because your self-discipline has increased. However, as you take on more challenging goals, your tasks will be more formidable. This is to be expected.
You may once again occasionally encounter situations where your mind tells you to procrastinate. If you ever procrastinate on one day, make sure you get the job done the next day. NEVER procrastinate 2 days in a row. It’s very easy to slip into a state of inertia where you lose the mood to do any work and your business starts spiraling downwards. Procrastination is the thief of time. Don’t let it steal your time and dreams. Make a conscious decision to take matters into your own hands every single day.
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-Coach Jo!