Don’t let procrastination stop you ever again
There are ways to beat procrastination into submission. You can finally write or finish that damn book – and do just about anything you want to achieve and never had the willpower for.
- First, let me just make myself a cup of tea. Yup. The biggest willpower killer known to man. The “first, let me just…” syndrome. You can beat it by indulging it. Wha-at? Play straight into its evil hands? Clean the bathroom, eat some food, put a snack by your desk, make tea or coffee – do it all. Two of the worst things about the “first, let me just…” syndrome is the slowness and reluctance with which we perform the task and the constant interruptions. Each time you leave your post, you’re creating the need to summon your willpower all over again. By getting your excuses out of the way first, they lose their power.
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Ask yourself why you want this. Examine your true motivation. Your interest is rarely to pass an exam, and you might not even want to write a novel. If you’re a student, you want to graduate and make a killing in a good job. If you’re writing a novel, you may not be motivated by the journey, but by the idea of having written a book. Because you want to brag or create something permanent with your name on it. Are there other ways, better ways of achieving your true goal? If you want a good job, education and doing well in exams already is the easy way. Some achieve a millionaire lifestyle by other means, but those usually involve insane amounts of work and an unbelievably thick skin, because failures along the way are a given. Or you can rob a store and get sent to jail. If you want bragging rights or set a marker on your life by creating something lasting, consider a charitable purpose or take up knitting. Writing a book is hard. Most writers write because they cannot not write. It’s a compulsion. To them, writing a book is not about making money (which is unlikely anyway) or making your name known (a kiss-and-tell with a minor celebrity might have the same effect). It’s about writing. So before you start, understand your true motivation.
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Unplug your electricals. The lure of the plasma TV, phone calls from friends, E-mail – these are the the most common sources of external distraction. So pull the plug of the TV, switch off the phone, and disable the Internet (your computer probably has that function). Just remember to leave the computer on, if your work relies on it.
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Include friends and family. This is actually a diet tip that works well in these cases. By announcing your intentions, you remove any opportunity for other people to get in your way. Just make sure you offer your time at a later date. The people who love you don’t want to manipulate you. If they do, you have a whole other problem on your hands. Even kids can be convinced to let you have Me time, as long as you schedule some Them time for later.
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This step works well with step 4. Set an egg timer or an alarm clock to mark the official end of your task. Stick to it. Facing an unending task is daunting. It’s this uncertainty that subconsciously puts you off before you’ve started. By restricting the amount of time you allocate to your task, you no longer face a ‘never-ending’ session.
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Set specific goals. This is similar to step 5, but not equivalent. Setting a timer lets you know when you’re done for the day. Setting goals helps you get a sense of achievement. A powerful motivator not just for the task at hand, but for all future objectives. Use both methods in tandem for the best effect. When you set goals, you’re working toward something concrete. You know where you are on your journey, instead of meandering aimlessly in the darkness. When you reach your goal, you smile, because you have proven to yourself you can do it. Ideally, set an overall, specific goal, like writing your book within three months. But also split the overall goal into more digestible, smaller goals. Such as writing 1000 words a day. The advantage of this method is that it allows you to evaluate your progress. If you consistently fail to achieve your target, you may have to set more realistic goals and adjust your time frame.
Hopefully some of these ideas have given you a sense of optimism about achieving your goals. All goals need focus. These five steps help provide this focus. In the end, the decision of what you really want to do is up to you. You can get started on your task, of follow your goal of not doing any work. Your choice.
