Dear Procrastination … Let’s Break Up …

Yes, There’s More … 

Procrastination is a habit. 

You can’t break it overnight.

You won’t break it overnight.

To break the habit takes time.

Did you take this week to figure out what type of procrastinator you were?

Did you see when you were exhibiting the symptoms of procrastination?

PLEASE don’t tell me you procrastinated on it?!? … If  you did, STOP, go read last week’s blog, and then IMMEDIATELY come back here.

We’ll use them as we go further into procrastination. 

Can I Get Over it?!?

It may be time to learn how to stop procrastinating when …

• It stresses you out

• You wait until the last minute to do things

• You can say it’s not finished because it’s not perfect

• You can’t seem to focus on getting the job done

• You just don’t feel like doing it 

• It increases your stress level

We all procrastinate in different ways and for various reasons, that’s why knowing what type of procrastinator you are and when you tend to procrastinate are important to knowing how to overcome procrastination.

In reality, the more you procrastinate, the higher your stress level goes.

However, like I mentioned last week, it’s also important to note that there’s a difference between procrastinating and truly needing a break for some self-care.

Now, are you ready to learn how to stop procrastinating?!?

(I hope you didn’t say no … because otherwise why are you reading this blog … and you better not say to avoid doing something else)

Break big tasks into smaller jobs

Look at the ultimate tasks that needs to be done, and then create a list of the smaller steps that must be accomplished in order to get to that end result.

When you’re looking at your to do list, there are going to be some things on the list that have to be broken down … Like, if you say you want to clean your house, what do you need to do in order to clean your house? Write down each of the tasks or rooms that you’ll have to clean.

But, when looking at that same list, there are going to be some tasks that just don’t need to be broken down further … like, go get gas, that’s simple enough. 

So, for those larger tasks, break them down … It will help you see the end of the tunnel. 

Start with the easy things

Sometimes, you just have to give yourself those easy wins to create that momentum for you to move on to the bigger tasks and get those things done. 

However, don’t start going to other items that are further down the list just because they are easy things and you’re trying to get rid of the easy things. If those things are lower priority items on the to do list and you’re just using accomplishing these things as a method of procrastination, don’t do them then.

Set deadlines to get things done

Everything that you need to do has a deadline of some sort. The more quickly you set a deadline, the easier it will be to plan and prioritize the various deadlines for the various tasks that have to be completed.

Now, I”m not saying make everything due this week - That’s just setting yourself up for overwhelm!

What I am saying is to look at the list of tasks and set deadlines for their completion based on the reality of when you’ll need it done. 

Keep in mind that life will happen and that means that some tasks will take longer than you think, some will be done quicker, and even that the deadlines you set will have to be adjusted.

THIS is exactly why you have to set deadlines so that you are creating a plan and course of action, so that when life happens, and pivots and adjustments must happen, you are then able to look at it in relation to other things that you have going on.

A deadline is a visible and visual reminder to get the thing done!

Get some accountability! 

Let someone else in on the journey and process. 

Having an accountability partner can help you stay motivated, bounce ideas off of, and just overall hold you accountable since you will have to report back.

Yes, I can be that accountability person for you … And, if you’re interested in that process, you know where to find me. 

Don’t wait … Start today! 

Reach out to someone so that you’re not alone in the process or journey.

Peer pressure helps … We get so worried about disappointing others than we are about disappointing ourselves, so that’s why having this accountability works and helps. Not wanting to disappoint someone you have to report to, makes you get up and get things done!

Take a break

Now this isn't a break to procrastinate.

This is you taking a break so that you can step back to assess what you’re doing break. Basically, it’s a break that can help you evaluate your process and where you are and then help you to plan more effectively.

During this break, follow the 2 Minute Rule … What's that?!?

If it takes two minutes … Do it! Do it NOW!

This goes back to the small tasks thing, it’s eliminating all the small things that we procrastinate on doing and they pile up.

There’s SO many things that literally only take 2 minutes to get done … But, we put them off, and doing them will not only get tasks off our to do list, but also moves us closer to where we need to go.

How to Get Things Done

Procrastination is the habit of delaying an important task, usually by focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead. 

It's crucial to take proactive steps to prevent procrastination.

Remember those questions that I asked last week … and again at the beginning of this blog:

Did you take the week to figure out what type of procrastinator you were?

Did you see when you were exhibiting the symptoms of procrastination?

NOW we need those answers because one of the first steps to overcoming procrastination is to recognize that you're doing it and when you’re doing it. 

Then, when you have that information you need to identify the reasons behind your behavior and use appropriate strategies to manage and overcome it.

Now, let’s talk about strategies for getting things done … Which means we are no longer procrastinating!

There are 3 main components for getting things done:

• Knowledge

• Desire

• Skills

Now, you must have all 3 things in order to get things done. 

When you get to avoiding things, ask which of the pieces is missing so you can close the gap.

Check out which piece is missing … then we can get to the root of what is keeping you from getting things done.

Knowledge

Knowledge is knowing what to do and knowing why you need to do it.

Knowledge is power, literally, in this sense.

Because you know what you need to do … You know what items are on the to do list.

Now, why do you need to do those things?!? 

What’s the purpose of you getting those things done?!?

You answer those questions … you now have the knowledge.

Desire

Desire is wanting to do it.

Do you want to do the thing? Not always … true. 

But, do you EVER want to do it?!?

If you NEVER want to do … Then, maybe it’s time to give it to someone who wants to do it. That can be through delegation or even paying someone else to do it.

Skills

Skill is knowing how to do it.

Do you know how to do the thing on the list?

If not, can you learn? Will you learn it?

When Should I do Things?!?

Getting things done requires knowing when to do them.

Yes, you have to get things done … If you work on getting things done when you work best, then you’re much more likely to get the thing done!

Doing it within these frames, especially if you don’t like/want to do it, will make not procrastinating on it a little bit easier because you’re working with your body, instead of against your body!

Do you know when your energy levels are the highest?

Do you know when you’re most alert and when you’re more sluggish?

Do you know what affects your energy … Either by boosting it or sapping it?!?

Yep, more homework … Ask yourself the above questions … Think and reflect on them … then use them to get things done!
If you want me to go further into the questions above, them let me know by commenting below or reaching out and letting me know.

For example, I’m a morning person so that's the best energy time and I know that going walking boosts my energy.

So, I typically get my best work done in the morning. Then, if I need to boost energy and get my creative juices flowing, going for a walk does that for me as well. 

Let’s Go Get Things Done

Now, let’s put it all together!

Yes, I gave you homework assignments 2 blogs in a row.

Well, you want to get over procrastination don’t you?!? You think you’re just going to read it and suddenly be cured?!?

Nope … this is exactly why I asked you these questions and these tasks in order to get things done! 

But hey, if you don’t want to do the work alone … then let’s go back to the tip of getting accountability … Hello, Life & Accountability Coach here … This is my specialty!

So yea, you don’t want to do the work and homework alone … Let’s do it together! 

Let me help you to help yourself … You’ve been reading the blogs, following me on social media, reading my posts, listening to my videos … They’re resonating but you still haven’t reached out. THAT STOPS NOW - Click the link to book a call, and let’s see how we can work together.

Let’s go get things done and break up with procrastination … finally!

-Alesha

The “Lee” behind Legal.Lee