How to Stop Procrastinating
Have you ever wondered why you get stuck? Do you keep rolling goals from one year into the next? Are you a procrastinator? Can you stop procrastinating?
I never thought of myself as a procrastinator until I read a summary of The Science of Getting Started: How to Beat Procrastination, Summon Productivity, and Stop Self-Sabotage.
I recently joined a personal development book club and didn’t have time to read the book before my first meeting. I perused the summary so that I could participate in the Zoom discussion. I found tremendous value in the book. Here are the highlights:
1. Fear is an underlying cause of procrastination.
2. Motivation follows action; however, we often expect motivation to create action. We must get moving to get motivated.
3. You must force yourself to visualize the bad future you are creating by failing to act. Additionally, take time to visualize the positive consequences when you take the right actions.
4. To avoid procrastination entirely, employ the STING technique
S-select one task
T-time yourself
I-ignore everything else
N-opt for no breaks
G- give yourself a reward
5. Structure your day to prevent procrastination. I use this technique to exercise. If I am not commuting, I get up at 5:00 am and exercise. Regardless of what happens that day, I have taken care of my body first thing in the morning.
6. Decide to have no more “zero days.” A “zero day” is when you allow a day to slip by without doing anything to achieve your goal. For instance, if your goal is to write a book, you could decide that you are going to write at least three paragraphs a day. Anything less could be considered a “zero day.”
7. Use the 40-70% rule taught by General Colin Powell. This rules states that you only need between 40% and 70% of the information, confidence, time, or preparation that you think you do. Based on this principle, take action when you have 40-70% of what you think that you need to proceed because waiting for perfect circumstances is procrastination.
So, which of these techniques will you employ to stop procrastinating and reach your goals?
