6) Think to yourself, "I don't have to pay attention, I CHOOSE to pay
attention."
Much of the process of changing your habit of procrastination is
based on changing your mind set. Prove to yourself that you WANT
to do better by sweeping the cobwebs out of the corners.
Reorganize your work space so that you limit distractions from noise,
people and interruptions. Do NOT answer the stupid phone,
especially your cell phone while working on projects.
Go through your files and papers and organize them into logical
categories so you can find things easily and quickly.
7) Think to yourself, "my personal goal is to succeed and this task
will help me succeed."
Look at every project, no matter how big or how small, as another
opportunity to prove to your self, that YOU achieve your goals.
Once setting/reaching outcomes becomes as simple as
deciding to go to the store or the bathroom (sorry but you get
the point), it REALLY does become that easy.
The way you approach even the smallest project tells others how
dedicated and conscientious you are and what they can expect
from you on the more critical projects.
8) Think to yourself: "I will give this project the attention and time it
deserves, no more, no less."
Don’t delay the really critical things you have to do by attending
to those less important tasks you may find more enjoyable. This
will end you up back in the procrastination dumper....
Be honest about priorities and always have a written list of
priorities so that you don’t get off track.
If you don’t KNOW or you AREN’T SURE of your priorities, get
help by asking someone who knows.
You shouldn’t be saying “I didn’t know it was so important” when
the task is not finished and your teacher, boss or friend has already
been disappointed by your failure to complete the task.
9) Think, "I don't anticipate failure but I am prepared for it. I anticipate success but don't judge myself by the outcome as long as
I ULTIMATELY succeed."
It is important to stay focused. Don’t take a self-defeating attitude
from the outset or you will be doomed. It's OK to think you might fail
in fact, you NEED to consider that because you have to have a
contingency plan. BUT once prepared for failure you get moving
with the outcome of succeeding.
Understand that if you plan accordingly and spend the appropriate
time on the project, and if you get help when you need it,
you WILL ULTIMATELY succeed.
The success you achieve by completing the project will be better
than not doing, it or doing it at the last minute so that it fails.
10) If necessary, think, "I will get help if this is a two or twenty person
project. I lift what I can, then some, then ask for help."
Use friends, co-workers, and family to get a little cheerleading
when you need it and to get advice, support or just a friendly
ear to vent when you need to do so.
Ask your support network to help you stay on track by asking
about the task and inquiring how it is going, etc.
If you can focus on this simple thought process when you begin to feel
yourself sliding into procrastination, you will overcome many of the issues
and habits that lead you to procrastinate.
As you establish your Personal Plan to Prevent Procrastination,
remember that it will take time for you to change your bad habits.
So, give yourself time to change and anticipate some slips into bad
habits occasionally. Eventually, your new habits will take hold and
you will not procrastinate anymore. You're doing simple self retraining!
In the meantime, keep your perspective, and be kind enough to
forgive yourself when you slip. It normally doesn't make much
difference (unless you are the mechanic on the airplane...).
KEYPOINT: Compliment yourself and celebrate when
you succeed! (Especially if no one else does!)
