Procrastination - You know you do it but you want to stop!

Time is time for everyone, no matter your age, social status, wealth... you get it, we all have the same number of hours in the day. It;s how we spend them that matters.

Ok, so you get that. You totally understand that now is the best time but let me ask you these -

What have you been telling yourself you’ll do when you “have more time?”

What have you been putting off?

What are you saying you’ll do “someday”?

That's procrastination right there. These are big things, what about the little everyday things like -

Cleaning out your food container drawer?

Doing your ironing?

Taking an afternoon off?

Procrastination can turn up in so many areas of your life. What are the consequences? (Yes, I'm a believer in every action or inaction has a consequence) -

Cleaning out your food container drawer? - You'll lose it when you can't find a lid!

Doing your ironing? - The ironing will take 3 hours next week instead of 1 this week.

Taking an afternoon off? - You will burn out and everyone will suffer.

These are just the little things so if you procrastinate over the bigger things - starting that on-line workbook creation, creating a group, public speaking, asking for a promotion, having a difficult conversation - what could be the consequences? Let me tell you, all of them go straight to 'You will never know your own potential'... that's right... If you -

Don't start creating that on-line workbook how will you know if you are any good;

Don't create a FB group how will you know if there is any interest?;

Don't try a bit of public speaking you may not meet the next person who can help progress your dreams of speaking at a conference;

Don't ask for a promotion you won't know if you can be assertive and quantify your worth thus proving to yourself that you can do this;

Don't have that difficult conversation you may end up in a situation you cab't get out of.

These are only a few examples of what you will never know. And they all go down to you will never know your true potential.

Alright, we now know the consequences but how do we STOP the procrastination?

Firstly, you have to realise that preparation and organisation IS procrastination for many. I am testament to this... I will re-read emails, re-write my list and work flow, tweek Canva for the 10th time, buy the coloured pens and write in my journal BUT what I waste time on is not DOING IT.

Procrastination comes out of - fear of being seen and perfectionism.

What will others think? What if I upset someone and they disagree with me? It all seems so hard and overwhelming. Others seem ti do this so much better than me... STOP right there.

Now you're making excuses.

The big cure for procrastination is JUST DO IT. There I said it. No miracle words or strategies, just get on with it.

1. If it's a big task chunk it down into smaller ones. Be consistent when you do the small tasks as they add up to the end goal;

2. Do the think you least want to do first - this gives you momentum;

3. Say you will do it and DO IT. Even if it's to yourself although having an accountability partner helps;

4. Stop wanting to be READY. You were born ready.;

5. Realise that if you don't put yourself out there and do it your way no one else will. Whether its putting an assignment in or starting a business no one else will do it for you. There is no one who will save you - its you;

6. Ask yourself 'Why?' - Why do you want to do the task? What is the end benefit?;

7. Is it a should do or a choose to task? If it's something you just have the 'feels' about go back and ask the 'Why?'... If, you are just putting the same thing on your to do list every day then it's not important so ditch it!;

8. Post-it out...Get organised and write everything you choose to do on a individual post-its and then categorize them... prioritise them... then schedule them... then do them or discard them.

Take action - any action is better than no action.

Consistency is key.

Do one thing and the momentum will come.

Repeat the above.

There isn't a magic bullet, we all put things off and look for something simple and pleasurable to do in its place. Be kinder to yourself but take some action on a daily basis.

Much love, Dawn x