I have always believed that in the lives of individuals, the profoundest changes take place within a very reduced time frame. When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.-Paulo Coelho
You hear the call. You know there are better things you want to be doing with your life. But, have you fully decided to embrace what life is offering you? You may have decided on a new course of action in your mind, but until you start taking action, the life you want to create remains unmanifest.
Here are 5 Ways To Stop Procrastinating Now:
1. Don’t Try To Finish Your Project All At Once.
Many people who have ideas to start businesses, start going to the gym, or to take a year off and travel the world never get around to accomplishing these things because the steps to make it happen seem overwhelming. So, another day goes by and they still haven’t done anything to accomplish their dream .
The easiest way to stop procrastinating is to break your project into small parts. Start by making a to-do list of everything that you need to do to make your idea real. At first, that list might seem overwhelming, but don’t let it scare you. This list is the map to making your dream come true. Now set deadlines for each item on the list. Schedule the items into your planner just as if you were scheduling a coffee date with a friend. Honor this time you have scheduled. After all, the time you are spending to create your idea is time you are spending creating your dream.
2. Stop Multi-Tasking.
In today’s world, we have forgotten how to put our attention on one thing at a time. When you are spending time creating your ideas, do only that. Shut off your phone. Stop looking at Facebook or Pinterest, and devote your time fully to getting your project done. I also like to wear noise-canceling headphones when I work. They put me in a cocoon of productivity that makes me less likely to be distracted by outside sounds.
A great way to improve your focus when working is to listen to binaural beats. Binaural beats use certain sound frequencies to change the patterns of your brain, and help inspire creativity and focus.
It’s easy to waste a lot of time on the computer that we could be using to work on our projects. RescueTime is an app that you can use to track the time you spend on websites. You might be surprised at just how much time you spend on social media, time that you could be using to bring your ideas into reality. RescueTime also blocks websites of your choosing for specific amounts of time, so you won’t be tempted by them.
3. Change Your Setting.
I am a writer, and I plan several trips per year to the beach per year because that setting inspires me the most. Are you an active person who is having trouble sitting down to create your to-do list? Take a voice recorder and record your to-do list while you are hiking. Ok, I know this is multi-tasking, but sometimes multi-tasking can be good when it’s used in the right way. The best ideas don’t always come when you are sitting still. Are you dreading the lines you will have to wait in while getting a business permit? Take your favorite book to read while you are spending time waiting. Try to find ways to make the action steps more fun and enjoyable.
4. Involve Others.
Tell other people about the project you have begun. If we hold ourselves accountable to others, we motivate ourselves to get the work done. It’s great to have a support system to encourage us along the way. If you can, find a friend who is also working on a project. Then, help each other take the steps to accomplish the to-do list. You can learn from each other and have more fun in the process.
5. Prioritize.
Make sure you take the most important steps to creating your dream first. They may be the hardest steps to take, but once you take them, your momentum will carry you forward to accomplish the rest of your tasks.
When I am creating something, I don’t just prioritize my to-do list. I also prioritize each day. When I wake up in the morning, I envision what I will accomplish that day. Then, before I check email or let myself get distracted by anything else, I do some work on the goal I had set for the day. This keeps me on track for the rest of the day.
6. Change Your Thinking
If you can’t seem to stop procrastinating, ask yourself why you are putting your ideas on hold. Are you afraid of being successful or getting what you want in life. Are you afraid that you aren’t worthy? Are you afraid of failing? Look at the real reason you are procrastinating and work on changing your thought patterns. Sometimes, life gives us inspiration and ideas because it is calling us forth. It wants us to use our gifts and bring inspiration into the world. But, if you don’t take the action, it will support someone else who is willing. The world is waiting with bated breath to see if you will answer the call.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to stop procrastinating and start creating the life you deserve. Just remember, you may have to go through some discomfort and changes to get there, but just think of the consequences if you never take action. Which is worse?
So what step are you going to take today? Leave a comment below and let me know!
I have a lot of trouble being on time. No matter when I wake up, once I start to get ready, it feels like I lose time. When I look at the clock, I can’t understand how much time went by. A friend told me that I was a procrastinator. I’m not sure if that’s true or not. If it only happened on the way to places I didn’t really want to go to, then it would make sense. But it happens when I’m going to be doing something fun too. I do have general anxiety, especially to go somewhere. I have your site bookmarked. I’ll look for any anxiety related help, unless you have a recommendation.
Thank you for reading this.
Hi Kate,
I Skype and also do healing sessions to help people one on one with issues just like this. Feel free to email me personally at [email protected]! A great book for helping with anxiety is Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach.
I struggle with this every now and then. The best cure is just to forge ahead. One never gets to see the magnificent view until he has scaled that mountain.
Very true, Joseph!
My problem is that I have not yet decided on an idea or a project. I am a writer and photographer, but several other paths call to me as well. I’ve written list after list of all my potential ideas/careers in hopes that one idea will pull me harder than the others, but I just can’t seem to feel a true pull and take a step in that direction. Any advice on how to overcome this? Thanks!
Hi Victoria, I sent you an email and look forward to talking to you further on this!