How Do You Beat Procrastination?

10 years ago

It took me months to beat procrastination; but it's just a matter of doing small achievable daily tasks. For example, in school, just study each subject for a minimum 5 minutes a day (If possible); and build momentum!

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MartyLabrado

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris30K

It took me months to beat procrastination; but it's just a matter of doing small achievable daily tasks. For example, in school, just study each subject for a minimum 5 minutes a day (If possible); and build momentum!

This.

This is the meat and bones of beating procrastination on any level. Start out with small achievable tasks and build momentum. You couldn't said it any better, Chris!

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smoore

10 years ago

Originally Posted by MartyLabrado

This.

This is the meat and bones of beating procrastination on any level. Start out with small achievable tasks and build momentum. You couldn't said it any better, Chris!

I completely agree. There are a lot of methods to deal with procrastination, however this has been the best one for me. Sometimes you want to not even think about the full effort or project to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Just focus on the next step and remind yourself how easy that one step is and how good you'll feel after you do it.

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Pilotben

10 years ago

If you really want to start somewhere to beat procrastination you start with taking a closer look at what your goals are.

Do you even have a goal? If you have a true goal, you will be passionate about it. If you want it bad enough, nothing and nobody will stop you from reaching that goal. Is your goal an absolute want to have, or is it a should have?

Say your true goal is wanting to earn $100 a day. You want it badly, you believe with everything inside you that you can achieve this. How would you go about your day? Will you sit around daydreaming, or will you jump in and write that article? Will you create those YouTube videos? off-course you will.
Will that one true passionate goal stop you procrastinating? You bet it will.

Is your goal to big or do you feel overwhelmed by it all and don't know where to start? Break it down to smaller goals or tasks, and complete one at a time. Just like the guys have said here.

Originally Posted by smoore

I completely agree. There are a lot of methods to deal with procrastination, however this has been the best one for me. Sometimes you want to not even think about the full effort or project to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Just focus on the next step and remind yourself how easy that one step is and how good you'll feel after you do it.

This has worked for me, and still does every day. Make sure he goal you have is a true goal, a want, not a should have.

Hope this helps

Ben

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st0nec0ld

10 years ago

Procrastination as its best.
Even the tips are easier said than done, ugh..

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Odahh

10 years ago

there is something i want to say about procrastination.. but i think i will put it off until the next post on procrastination .

everythign we do each day is based on what we value.. if we are putting something of we really do not value getting it done . so until in your mind it becomes more valuable to do something now than to put it off .. you will put it off .

so ..you either have a deadline to do something with punishment say donating money to a cause you despise ..if you fail to meet the deadline .

a work habit that means your butt is in a chair and you can only do thing related to this for a certain amount of time.. like happens when you go to a job.

or just admit your blowing smoke up your butt and really do not value getting it done and you would rather play a video game .. go out get drunk .. or play golf .. or go play golf drink beers and play a video game on your phone while waiting for your shot ..

be honest with yourself on why you are procrastinating . and ask if you are fine with the results of not getting something done .

as for beating procrastination .. there is a whole list of thing you should be putting off now to do what you need to get done .. try putting off what you are doing now until after you get stuff you need to get done done ..

positive use of procrastination .. try that ..

you doing what you are doing now to put of this other thing ..and feeling guilty .. now re frame it so you do the thing you are putting off .. then plunge fully into the thing you where doing while procrastinating .. as a reward for doing what you needed to do ..

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cyberdenizen

10 years ago

I agree that one of the biggest causes of procrastination is fear. However, you can use fear to overcome procrastination. I scare myself out of procrastinating. I imagine the worst that could happen if I don't get things done and the things I could miss out on if I don't get started right away. It works for me. I don't know if anybody else has tried it or if it works for anyone other than me.

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rickdangelo

10 years ago

Beating procrastination is hard. I've been there myself and still, there are days when i just feel like procrastinating things and it is not very healthy.

I guess its a matter of discipline and forming a habit!

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Trey Morgan

10 years ago

Write a to-do-list the night before and put the most difficult tasks at the beginning of the list. Do all the tasks in order and don't skip any task. Basically what you're doing here is disciplining yourself to do what you don't want to do first, or else you won't get anything done.

It takes time to develop the habit of doing the most difficult things first, but it will be a game-changer in your business, and life.

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hardraysnight 10 years ago

stop and think about it

you mat come up with a solution sometime
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- heavysm 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by hardraysnight
  
  stop and think about it
  
  you mat come up with a solution sometime
  
  Lol Oddly enough there is some truth in this for me.
  
  I like to take a moment prior to starting a task, close my eyes and visualize the ideal intended outcome of the work i just did.
  
  Without doing this I find i don't have a foundation of solidified reason for doing things; from the mundane tasks to top priority.
  
  Spending 5 - 10 minutes (sometimes more) reflecting over the meaning and purpose of my actions helps give me international motivation to get it done without deterring to time wasting actions.
  
  So, after my meditation, if i happen to check my phone needlessly or respond to a random stuff in my email I'll feel a pang of "this-doesn't-help-me-at" and i snap back to the task at hand.
  
  This has only failed in certain instances where i have others around me to physically pull my attention away from work or when I notice natural urges that need to be met (hunger, been at computer too long and need shower lol etc).
  
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JacobS

10 years ago

I use "unscheduling." I schedule recreational activities that I want to do (watching TV, hanging out with friends, taking breaks, eating meals, etc.) and then I try to fill in my massively open day with no more than an hour at a time of solid work.

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mpluto

10 years ago

I diagnose the cause of procrastination and it is not very easy to do. Usually, it is associated with interpretations of memories.

A lot of it happens on emotional level rather than mental.

I will give you an example: I had a hard time sitting down and working. Rather than thinking why, I concentrated on the feeling associated with it.

What happened was, memories from the past came up when I was consistently distracted by my parents when I was a teenager around a computer. Then, a bit later by ex girlfriend.

So, the subconscious mind started to expect being distracted when sitting in the front of computer and it was translated into a feeling of annoyance.

To avoid annoyance, my mind was pulling me away from a computer. Otherwise, I would start feeling annoyed, irritated and frustrated because that's what was happening in the past.

Procrastination seems to be an avoidance mechanism of something that goes very deep.

It is often associated with limited beliefs.

Forcing yourself through it can cost you. For example, you may complete an hour of work but then, you may feel stressed and annoyed, even though you felt happy that you did work.

I hope this helps.

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GforceSage

10 years ago

When I feel procrastination coming on, I just tell myself I'll deal with it later.

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holleythompson 10 years ago

first of all, procrastination is a good thing sometimes. for some reasons, it really is but everything thats too much is no good. the downside of it is youre wasting time doing nothing and then eventually doing everything in less time. time is really important and you must use it wisely. discipline will help you get rid of procrastination and be organized with your tasks. start off with the easiest tasks and make sure youre going to finish it as fast as you could cause its easy for you. then do the hardest tasks and make sure you have enough time to finish that. youre gonna get better at the end of the day. discipline is key dont forget!
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jemacb 10 years ago

Originally Posted by GforceSage

When I feel procrastination coming on, I just tell myself I'll deal with it later.

Haha Gforce that was hilarious. :-)

There are various 'tools' that can be used to stop and remove procrastination. One such tool is Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) and another is Hypnosis.

Procrastination can be deep rooted in most people and is probably based on their 'programming' as children. But the solution is not difficult and the person should seek assistance from coaches such as yourself or other professionals in the fields that I described above.
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malcsimm

10 years ago

In a poll of my list members at HeyMalc, 96% of people said that they were held back by procrastination. That's nearly everybody! I was amazed.

My take on this result, is that I think a lot of these people are not really procrastinating it's more that they don't have a good plan.

The people on my list are from the IM world and we all know how many temptations there are in IM. So people get tempted down blind alleys all day long and at the end of the day they've done nothing. But they feel they've procrastinated on going down a path towards success.

I think a big help for a lot of people – not everyone, but a lot – is to get a plan and work that plan until you are successful. It's important to avoid chopping and changing every time a new idea comes along.

There are a few people who market genuine courses which, if you follow them closely will probably lead you to making money successfully. (That is, not the rip-off merchants.) I've compiled a list of a very few of the vendors I respect who can provide this guidance in a genuine way to new be marketers (the list is on my website, under "Money Maing Systems").

I'm sure that some people are genuinely procrastinating – and fear may often be a big part either fear of success or fear of failure are things which genuinely hold people back. But rothers, I think if they had a plan and stuck to it they would be able to move forward a lot more easily.

I'd be interested to hear your take on this, Barry

Best, Malc

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MBene 10 years ago

Until now I never felt the need of answering something (I'm learning and the topics in wich I'm really interested are those ones I'm not able to contribute), and the fact that english is not my mothertongue doesn't help. However somehow when I saw this thread I found myself thinking 'ok, in this, you're the expert'.

Of course this is quite wrong, 'cause I surely know better than most people how procrastination at a certain level can be a real beast and not just 'a really unhealthy habit' - but I'm not the best warroir against it, for sure. It's been one of my monster for too long.
I would love to say that I know how to beat procrastination day after day, but I do not. I'm in that step in wich at least I know is one of my biggest problems, so I recognize her and try to fight her.

I want to share with you all the most inspiring article I've found about the subject:

Why procrastinators procrastinate:
Why Procrastinators Procrastinate | Wait But Why

How to beat procrastination:
How to Beat Procrastination | Wait But Why

Now, I have nothing to do with these people, so I can assure you I'm not trying to get some views. But I really enjoyed the way the writer approached the thing. I have red tons of articles about procrastination, some extremely boring and some of them just too pretentious. Even the most 'clinical' ones - I'm refferring to the ones that try to mask themselves as psychology studies- have a big lack in actually understand how the mechanism work in the mind of a procrastinator.

The author here has talent: with irony an and simplicity arrives right to the core of the issue. I'm not too ashamed to admit I did some research about him after this.

I red it at least ten times in the last months, I have never felt so understood. Now I'm not a different person of course, but I definetely understand better things and it's easer to fight procrastination. The word procrastination itself has become a little bit funny and less ghoulish.
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stormyweather

10 years ago

I think you just have to accept that it is part of life, to procrastinate. One way I found to lessen the impact though is to set myself just one goal per day. If you do that every day - even at weekends - so seven days per week, you will get results.

You can make rest days very light - like the goal is something your business needs but will literally take you one hour or less. It does wonders for your motivation as you can definitely achieve something every day. Lots of small some-things add up to a big something.

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Mastery Plan 10 years ago

Stormyweather yes thank you for what you posted to share I have learned YES I have had to daily plan my goals and then what I put together daily helps with the over all weekly goal. instead of total over load I have done a self committment goal plan and it helps me feel and think I am only finishing one goal..It is more. but I have it layed out so it does not blind me and drown me. figurative .. : ) Thank you for your post! Mastery Plan
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Neil Rai

10 years ago

I have a rule.

It says,
Stop thinking and start doing.

Neil

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enjoytheworld

10 years ago

To beat procrastination, you need to beat fear of failure and laziness first and it is not going to be easy though.

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Life1 10 years ago

Originally Posted by enjoytheworld

To beat procrastination, you need to beat fear of failure and laziness first and it is not going to be easy though.

This is exactly the way to overcome procrastination. It's mainly caused by either fear or laziness.

You can win over the fear with enough self esteem and confidence in yourself. As for laziness, it's just a habit one needs to break and a good way to do that is to see the value you would get if you stop procrastination and just do what you're supposed to do.
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meadows2482

10 years ago

If I have 'free time' or long periods of time to do work, I don't anything done. If I have a deadline though, on man, I'm on it. So I set timers and create deadlines for myself so that I just get things done more efficiently.

I also turn everything off. I used to think I was a pretty good multi-tasker-- that I could listen to music and write or watch TV and post online. Nope. So it all goes off!

Also, when I take breaks in between my timers, I do something physical. Walk outside to get the mail, do 20 sit-ups, something to move. That helps me focus when I sit back down to work on the next block.

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Mr Bill

10 years ago

I also use procrastination as a filter for working on what's important to me. If I'm procrastinating - it's not important to me. Once I realise that, the guilt of procrastination evaporates. If it was important, I'd be doing it and I'm the one to decide. I'll pay no attention to what other people think I should be doing. My mind knows what it's doing (I guess) and will direct my activities to what's really important.

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heavysm

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Mr Bill

I also use procrastination as a filter for working on what's important to me. If I'm procrastinating - it's not important to me. Once I realise that, the guilt of procrastination evaporates. If it was important, I'd be doing it and I'm the one to decide. I'll pay no attention to what other people think I should be doing. My mind knows what it's doing (I guess) and will direct my activities to what's really important.

Very interesting way to view procrastination. I see this more from a person who is already a strong minded/ internally focused individual rather than from someone yet to taste a major break through of success.

I say that because from what i have seen with others they procrastinate because the current level of comfort outweighs their want and hunger to attain their goal.

Their goal might either be too big (seems to distant to consider real) or they might have an inherent fear in actually attaining that goal. Once they're pulled out of comfort, the activities of procrastination, they are thrown into panic mode which often brings the fear of failure and possibly even the feeling of not deserving the goal.

I have one business friend that had the same mindset as you Mr. Bill and he happens to be one of the strongest driving guys I know (work horse with a near bullet proof mindset that he will get what he's working for). So that's why I brought that up.

To me that view toward procrastination is more of a side effect of being a natural achiever. You trust your internal compass so much that you're able to accept that some goals may not be the biggest priorities on your list if you're not able to easily work on them without distraction.

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Mr Bill

10 years ago

Originally Posted by heavysm

Very interesting way to view procrastination. I see this more from a person who is already a strong minded/ internally focused individual rather than from someone yet to taste a major break through of success.

I say that because from what i have seen with others they procrastinate because the current level of comfort outweighs their want and hunger to attain their goal.

Their goal might either be too big (seems to distant to consider real) or they might have an inherent fear in actually attaining that goal. Once they're pulled out of comfort, the activities of procrastination, they are thrown into panic mode which often brings the fear of failure and possibly even the feeling of not deserving the goal.

I have one business friend that had the same mindset as you Mr. Bill and he happens to be one of the strongest driving guys I know (work horse with a near bullet proof mindset that he will get what he's working for). So that's why I brought that up.

To me that view toward procrastination is more of a side effect of being a natural achiever. You trust your internal compass so much that you're able to accept that some goals may not be the biggest priorities on your list if you're not able to easily work on them without distraction.

You know, I think you're right. Some of my previous successes have happened so fast that I know that all it takes is one or two right decisions and conversations with the right people and success floods into my life so I'm less concerned with procrastination and more concerned with making the right connections, having the best attitude and running when it's time to run...and not before. I've learned that there's absolutely no point worrying that you're not racing when the starter's pistol hasn't even gone off yet so running around trying to "act" urgent isn't going to help me win any races.

You nailed it. I'm impressed.

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Mastery Plan 10 years ago

Yes I am very strong and willing, I am looking forward to succeeding soon and i want more than anything to share my story, it has been a matter of living or dying with & for me. Honest! But daily especially with each passing day, I even write to my mentor & short notes I do not know if read but psychologically some needed day with all of us >> helps to WANT TO stay committed : ) just a quick note to acquaintance on FB know that there is a way STAY POSITIVE small daily caring I know helps me to daily find a way to NOT be neg. or down with my situation I ALWAYS stay happy - and I refuse to be lazy like or think well it will be done bc with marketing no matter what I know that I will never be done for the main reason >> I LOVE MARKETING Hours feel like minutes.. I am telling everyone take the time to figure out what you need to do in order to get to where you want to be. Laziness is a poor excuse to give up on living- keep your drive high. I have a very detailed of how I feel and what I mean and I know that it will help everyone here that is negative or procrastinates. go to my magic place & it was there before I even knew I was coming to this reply. very SINCERELY Mastery Plan Sensi's Marketing | Magical Successful Marketing it is title money magic..
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Mastery Plan

10 years ago

Hi Bill, I have put a lot down in the boxes before this one, but I really need to make a video to post. on one of my sites money magic I have written a lot already about how to not be a loser to yourself. there is much more and i am just putting this in very quick.. do not settle. do not take quit put off or INTERFERENCE do not take to false. or lies and read on this site , I want to help and encourage the best way i can. and I will tell more a clear completed story, about The Farmer My Drive, The Mind Set, what is the will in life and I just say as much as possible without making it so long that some do not have time to read any off the wall... too long bs.. I hope that some from here can just take a fast look. at the zmagicz.com It is really a way to feel better and to not give up... Bill Thank you for everything that you have here for us on the warrior,,.. Mastery Plan

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Mr Bill

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Mastery Plan

Hi Bill, I have put a lot down in the boxes before this one, but I really need to make a video to post. on one of my sites money magic I have written a lot already about how to not be a loser to yourself. there is much more and i am just putting this in very quick.. do not settle. do not take quit put off or INTERFERENCE do not take to false. or lies and read on this site , I want to help and encourage the best way i can. and I will tell more a clear completed story, about The Farmer My Drive, The Mind Set, what is the will in life and I just say as much as possible without making it so long that some do not have time to read any off the wall... too long bs.[self link removed]. It is really a way to feel better and to not give up... Bill Thank you for everything that you have here for us on the warrior,,.. Mastery Plan

Thank you for your posts as well MP. It's good to hear that my lunacy is of some assistance to others.

Just on a quick side note:
If I may, I'll give you a little tip. Try to use paragraphs as it makes it easier to read and you're going to have to reconsider your self-linking and asking people to visit your website. We'd all love to do that but if we all did that it would become a link-fest. It's frowned upon in here - you'll have the posts removed.

There are ways to promote in here that are cheap and effective such as signature links (as long as you DON'T ask people to click them - that'll get you nuked quicker than you can say wtf) and the commercial areas such as the WSO and Classified forums. It'd be a shame to lose your valuable input for a misdemeanor.

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celente

10 years ago

egg timers. They rock. Got one of ebay for $5 and best investment yet. Try to do as much as I can in a few minutes.

Try it, some of the best marketers in the world swear by them.

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cyberzolo

10 years ago

One of the biggest reasons I see for procrastination is fear.

Yep, that is the reason. I use fear to work for me: being afraid to feel that moment of failure again, afraid to go to bed knowing i wasted my time, etc

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How Do You Beat Procrastination?

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