A System To Stop Procrastination
I used to
struggle with procrastination until implementing this system that nips procrastination in the bud – and actually gets a task or project done from start to finish. While there is nothing new about each step, it’s the timing of the steps that work the magic. You’ll be moving back and forth between detail thinking and big picture thinking at precise times.
It’s important to follow each step in this exact order as you move through the task or project:
- To increase the likelihood of actually getting started on a task, focus on the exact details needed to get it done. Then determine the very next action to move the task or project forward. Do it and then determine another next action, and so on.
- While you’re doing the task, focus on the emotion of the project by visualizing or daydreaming about the perfect outcome when you have finished the job.
- If you start to get overwhelmed and frustrated, start focusing on the details again, as in step one. Keep thinking about the next action you need to take.
- When it starts to get easy and the end is in sight go back to visualizing the big picture, as in step two. Focus on the reward you expect as you enjoy your success.
This is also a great way to override your subconscious mind and any behavior that you do on autopilot. Your tendency to self-sabotage is waylaid before it can mess things up for you yet again.
Here’s a simple illustration of the process:
- Your car is dirty. You are committed to saving money by doing your own car washing. You think about what you need in order to do the job: a bucket, hose, soap, sponges, and towels. Do the best next action you can think of: find a bucket, fill it with supplies and take it outside, get hose to fill the bucket, and so on.
- As you begin washing your car, allow yourself to imagine how good the car will look and feel when it is bright, clean and shiny. How proud will you feel about that beautiful car?
- Suddenly you realize that the car is dirtier than you had expected when you decided to do the job yourself. It’s going to take longer than you thought and you’re starting to feel overwhelmed. You’re even contemplating paying someone to wash it for you – even though you’re trying to save money by doing chores around the house yourself. Immediately go back to detail thinking! What exactly is your next action to get the car clean? Focus only on the exact details at this point and it is highly likely that you’ll continue washing the car.
- The job is almost done but you still have some work to do. Once again, allow yourself to visualize the beautiful clean car, how good it feels and how fine a person you are and such a hard worker!
After just a few minutes more, your car is clean and you have mastered your mind, rather than allowing your mind to master you. It’s all about consciously controlling your thought process so that your mind works for you and not against you.
By moving back and forth between detail thinking and big picture thinking at the right times, you are able to utilize the best of both worlds to your advantage.
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