Archive for the ‘Procrastination’ Category
How to overcome procrastination – It all depends on you
Procrastinators put off all the hard jobs. But they get stuck in a vicious circle of postponing the easy jobs, too. And the longer they put them off, the harder the jobs are when they finally get around to them. Successful people fight the same war against procrastination that we all face, but they have learned not to give in. They know that procrastination is the cause of many of
the problems we face in our daily lives.
Procrastination creates a never-ending cycle of frustration, stress, and defeat. When people learn how to take charge of their lives, their self-esteem improves and their confidence grows. No matter how long you’ve been struggling with the demon of procrastination, you can start to take control of your life today by tackling a job or responsibility you’ve been putting off.
There are many books, online courses, and methods for changing your life and developing your personal and professional skills. I believe that procrastination is the root cause of the majority of problems that people face. Best-selling author Wayne Dyer said: “Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases, and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.”
Take the first step toward a richer life by getting serious about overcoming procrastination. The following quiz will help you identify areas where you can take action today.
1. I have written a list of my life-time goals.
2. I have written a list of my short-term goals (6 months or less).
3. I keep these lists where I can see them; they help me stay focused.
Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.
4. I establish priorities; some things that seem urgent are not important when I focus on the big picture. Yes ( ) No ( )
5. Once I’ve made a decision, I don’t worry about whether I made the right decision or not-I just concentrate on getting the job done.
6. I know when to say “no” to avoid taking on too many jobs at once.
7. I live in the present; I focus on what I’m doing now instead of dwelling on what I should have done in the past.
8. When I’ve done the best I can, I know when to wind up a job-spending more time on the same job only keeps me from starting something new.
If you answered “no” to any of the above statements, make a commitment to take corrective action today. Choose one item and do something about it. Don’t move on to the next item until you can truthfully answer “yes” to the previous one. You’ve taken the first step by reading this far; now take the next step and do something you’ve been putting off. If you want to change, you can-the best time is now.
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Overcome procrastination and start living a richer life today
Are you looking for some inside information on Procrastination? Here’s an up-to-date report from Procrastination experts who should know.
- Do you make excuses when you miss deadlines?
- Do you tend to look for excuses to explain why you didn’t do something, rather than take action to finish the job?
- Is there a good reason why you didn’t finish the job?
- How important is finishing the job?
- Have you written down a plan for finishing it as soon as possible?
Stop blaming failures on the circumstances around you. The next time you hear yourself making excuses, it may help to remember what the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said about the predicaments procrastinators get themselves into: “It takes less time to do a thing right than explain why you did it wrong.”
Do you see yourself as a victim of events and circumstances? Do you complain more than other people? What do you do when you procrastinate? How do you spend your time when you’ve decided not to do something you should do? Are you serious about wanting to change? Are there hidden causes of your procrastination that you need to discover?
Procrastinators are always able to find reasons for not getting started. To take control of your life, you have to accept responsibility for everything that happens with your projects. When you fail, analyze what happened and ask yourself if you could have produced a better outcome by doing something differently. This will improve your ability to successfully complete the next project, and you’ll be ready to take the first step to get started on it. Identify what needs to be done and do it now-circumstances will never be perfect for starting the job.
It’s really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of Procrastination. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
The only way to break out of the vicious circle of procrastination is by asking hard questions. We are not victims of our circumstances. You can do the things that need to be done. And you can learn to distinguish between the things that need to be done now and the things
that can wait. Whenever you consider delaying a project, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the benefits of waiting?
- Do I have a justifiable reason for postponing this project?
- Do I want to go on living with the consequences of leaving things undone?
Look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re delaying a task for a justifiable reason. Put all your reasons for wanting to delay the project under a microscope; consider the possibility that your reasons are merely excuses for not getting started. Think about the last time you delayed a project. What benefits did you expect to receive by waiting? Write them down. Now ask yourself how the project came out. Did the project benefit from the delay?
Justifiable reasons-or if you’re just making excuses. What would have happened if you had pushed forward on the project anyway? And always remind yourself of what Napoleon Hill said about waiting: “Do not wait. The time will never be just right.”
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How to defeat procrastination – Believe you can
The power of belief is a key to success in everything we do. Whether your goal is to rise to the top of your profession or to be a better weekend golfer, you have a better chance of success if you believe you’ll be successful. And by believing that you can defeat procrastination, you can start to take charge of your life today.
Learn how to control your negative thoughts. When your mind says you can’t do something, refuse to listen to it. Don’t express your negative thoughts in words; tell your mind-and say it out loud-that you’re going to do what it takes to get the job done.
It isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort. Many people procrastinate because they’ve made up their minds that they’re going to fail. If you are one of these people, the most important thing you can do today is to stop believing what the procrastination demon has been telling you.
Human beings are unique because of our ability to change-to become more than what we are. But before we can change, we must be able to accept full responsibility for everything we do.
Smokers who say they “hate” smoking are deluding themselves-as an ex-smoker, I claim some authority on this topic.
We have a choice. People smoke because they want to smoke. It may be very hard for many people to quit smoking, but that’s not the point-they’ll never quit as long as they lie to themselves about the real cause of their habit. People are able to quit smoking when they really want to quit.
Take this quiz to find out if negative thoughts are causing procrastination in your life:
The best time to learn about Procrastination is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Procrastination experience while it’s still free.
- When you tackle a job, do you expect to be successful? Do you think you’ll be able to complete the job successfully by giving it your best effort?
- Do you visualize your success? When you face a difficult task and feel like giving up, are you able to give yourself a pep talk to stay motivated?
- When friends, family members, or others help you recognize a habit that you need to change, are you able to recognize the truth in what they say? Do you believe you can change your bad habits?
- Do you accept responsibility when your projects fail, rather than looking for something beyond your control to blame it on?
- When your mind says you’re going to fail, do you try to replace these negative thoughts with positive ones?
If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, ask yourself what you can do to approach life with a more positive attitude. Do you want to go on living with negative thoughts, doubts, and fears? Are there any benefits of clinging to a negative attitude?
We can change bad habits by wanting to change them. And you can defeat the habit of procrastination in your life-especially if you believe you can.
That’s the latest from the Procrastination authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.
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By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
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No more excuses – How to overcome procrastination today
People get stuck in a lifestyle of procrastination because they believe their own excuses for not taking action. Procrastination is the main reason that people fail to live richer and more fulfilling lives. If you’re stuck in a rut of continual procrastination, make up your mind to stop making excuses.
If you’ve been making excuses for putting things off, here’s how to take charge of your life. First, think about all the things you’ve been postponing-at work, at home, in your personal relationships, or for your personal development. Make a list.
Now choose one thing on that list that you can do something about today. Write down every excuse you’ve given yourself for not having done anything about it yet. Ask yourself if you have considered all the consequences of your procrastination in this area. Do you want to live with them? Do you have a legitimate reason for postponing this job?
You have to be honest about this or it won’t work. Forget about what other people think; look in the mirror and ask the hard questions. If you have a legitimate reason for delaying action in this area, move on to another item on the list. Find something that you can make happen today, simply by deciding to make it happen. Now do it.
When you’ve completed this task successfully, your satisfaction will motivate you to repeat this process with another item on your list.
If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
Successful people know that their accomplishments depend on two things: taking action and staying focused on their goals. People who are successful in any business or profession have an ability to make things happen. All successful people win the war against procrastination because they develop certain traits. To defeat procrastination and get all you want out of life, you must:
- Know what you want.
- Force yourself to take action.
- Be willing to make mistakes and learn from them.
- Stop making excuses!
Now go back to your list and choose another project. Write down every excuse you’ve been giving yourself for not getting started, or for leaving it unfinished. Put as many things on the list as you can think of. Now try to eliminate one excuse at a time. Ask yourself hard questions: Why do I have to postpone this project? Is it necessary to go on postponing it? If Bill Gates were in my situation, would he postpone it? What will happen if I keep putting this off? If I keep putting this off, when will I get it done? Can I get started on it now? What part of the job could I complete now? If I postpone this job now, what other job will I tackle to make better use of my time?
As you eliminate your excuses, think of what you can do today to make this project happen, and do it. Anne Frank wrote in her diary, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Make a decision to start improving your world today.
When word gets around about your command of Procrastination facts, others who need to know about Procrastination will start to actively seek you out.
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By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
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Tips for students who want to overcome procrastination
Take this quiz to find out if you-or any students in your family-need to get serious about overcoming procrastination:
- Do you put off assignments until the last possible hour because you like to think of yourself as the type of person who works best under pressure?
- Do you write down your priorities before you start projects? Do many things seem unimportant when you look at them in the light of these priorities?
- Do you ask yourself which of several tasks is the most important one before you rush into an assignment?
- Do you concentrate on finishing an assignment when you’re in danger of missing a deadline, rather than complaining that you never have enough time to get your work done?
- Do you make sure your friends know when not to disturb you?
Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Procrastination? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?
- Do you turn off the TV and your phone when you need to work on an important assignment
? Do you concentrate completely on what you’re doing now, rather than dwelling on what you did in the past?
- When you’ve done the best you can, are you content to wrap up a project and hand it in as it is?-Do you generally make good estimates of how much time it will take to finish an assignment?
If you answered “no” to any of the above questions but the first one (I hope you answered “no” to that one), you can develop better study habits by getting serious about procrastination. Try doing the hardest assignments first. Sandwich a difficult assignment between two of your favorite ones.
Most students dread writing assignments, putting them off to the last possible minute. Writing is one of the most important skills a student can develop. Here are some tips from great writers that can help you conquer the procrastination monster:
- Winston Churchill wrote about 5 million words in his lifetime. That’s the equivalent of ten thousand 500-word articles, so he must have enjoyed writing very much. And he wrote well-well enough to win a Nobel Prize for literature. Churchill once said: “When you’re going through Hell, keep going.” To paraphrase that advice for all students struggling with a writing assignment: When you don’t know what to write, keep writing.
- Don’t be a bleeder. (Journalists who agonize over every word they write are known in their profession as “bleeders.”) The faster you write, the more you’ll enjoy writing. Jack London, one of my favorite writers when I was a student, said that “you can’t wait for inspiration; you have to go after it with a club.”
- Another Nobel Prize Laureate, John Steinbeck, said: “Write freely and as rapidly as possible and throw the whole thing on paper. Never correct or rewrite until the whole thing is down. Rewrite in process is usually found to be an excuse for not going on.” In other words, rewriting before you finish a first draft is an excuse for procrastination.
That’s the latest from the Procrastination authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
- Do you want to make Your PDF files viral? Use This Secret Viral PDF Rebrander: Viral PDF
How to overcome procrastination – Just do it!
The first step toward overcoming procrastination is recognizing that procrastination is a problem. Procrastinators have big problems and small problems, but the fact is that most of their problems are caused by procrastination.
All procrastinators share certain traits:
- Procrastinators know what they should do about a problem, and in many cases they know what specific action needs to be taken. Yet they find reasons to avoid action.
- Procrastinators are reluctant to do anything about a problem now, vowing to take action at some vague time in the future.
- Procrastinators promise to take action when the “right” circumstances present themselves. By making performance of the job depend on something else, they justify their decision to delay action. They delude themselves into thinking that their hands are tied. They would like to do something but can’t-it’s not their fault.
- All procrastination is the result of deluding ourselves. Procrastinators deny reality, refusing to accept responsibility for their lives. To defeat procrastination, we must stop playing games with ourselves. You can’t overcome procrastination until you accept the fact that you are responsible for what you make of your life. That may be more honesty than many people are capable of, but there is no other way to achieve a fulfilling life.
If your Procrastination facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don’t let important Procrastination information slip by you.
We are not victims of our circumstances. You can do the things that need to be done. And you can learn to distinguish between the things that need to be done now and the things that can wait.
1. Have you written a list of your life’s goals?
2. Have you have written a list of short-term goals (3-6 months)?
3. Do you keep these lists where you can see them
?
4. Do you set clear priorities? Do some things that seem urgent take on less importance when you focus on your larger goals?
5. Do you know when to say “no” to keep from burdening yourself with more jobs than you can finish?
6. Do you live in the present? Do you focus on what you’re doing now, rather than on the things you should have done in the past?
7. When you’ve given your best effort, do you know when to wrap up a project?-Do you feel that spending more time on it will only keep you from starting your next project?
Did you answer “no” to any of the above questions? If you did, you need to make a commitment to do something about it today. Choose an item and make up your mind that you’re going to do something about it. Don’t worry about the next item until you’ve made a dent in the first one. Now that you’ve taken the first step by reading this article, take the next step and finish a job you’ve been postponing-there will never be a better time than now.
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By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
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Increasing your energy can help you defeat procrastination
Lack of exercise is a well-known cause of chronic fatigue. Research studies have found that of all people who visit doctors to complain about problems of fatigue, only about 20% require medical treatment. What about the other 80%? They suffer from the effects of a sedentary lifestyle-in the overwhelming majority of cases the cause of chronic fatigue is a lack of exercise. And people who complain of chronic fatigue also tend to be victims of procrastination.
When is your energy highest
? Why do you think that is? Do you stay depressed for long periods? What foods give you energy? What foods slow you down? What foods and beverages help you sleep better? What foods and beverages rob you of sleep?
- Boost your energy. You’re more likely to tackle the jobs you’ve been putting off when you feel energized. The best way to increase your energy level is by exercising regularly. More energy in your life will make the tedious jobs less tedious because you become better at getting them done. The more energy you have, the faster you get them done and the better you feel about yourself.
Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Procrastination, keep reading.
- Monitor your habits and lifestyle. I am working on this article at a stand-up desk. Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe are just a few of the writers who discovered that they worked faster and better while standing. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a stand-up desk that he designed for himself. A stand-up desk keeps my posture right-and it keeps me focused on my work without squirming around as I tend to do when I’m seated for extended periods of time. A high stool lets me alternate between sitting and standing. I’m amazed at how my productivity and concentration have increased since I started to use a stand-up desk.
- Be grateful you have the opportunity to do the hard jobs. I think about the woman who finished a regulation 26.2-mile marathon at the age of 92. It’s easier to do things you normally dread when you’re conscious of your blessings; be grateful you have the opportunity to do the hard jobs. When you see things in their proper perspective, your time is too precious to be squandered in a life of procrastination.
- Research shows that certain foods contribute to deep sleep. I have always been a sound sleeper. Here are some of my favorite late-night foods: bananas, peanut butter, whole wheat bread, and potatoes. I also know what foods and beverages keep me tossing and turning at night; when I indulge in them after dark I pay the price the next day-my energy is low. Pay attention to what works for you.
Following a regular exercise program, eating the right foods, alternating between sitting and standing, and doing some simple stretching during the day-all of these techniques keep my energy high. And when I feel energized, I’m less likely to fall into the procrastination game. As the American humorist Will Rogers said, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.
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By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
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Don’t let procrastination keep you down
Author Denis Waitley believes that one of the main causes of procrastination is a fear of success. “People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now,” he explains. And Miguel Cervantes, the author of Don Quijote, wrote that “delay always breeds danger, and to protract a great design is often to ruin it.”
Great thinkers throughout history have known that procrastination is the main reason people fail to live more rewarding and more prosperous lives. Take this quiz to find out if a fear of success is causing procrastination in your life:
- Are you passionate about the life you’re living? Have you discovered your mission in life? Do you have a written list of long-term and short-term goals you want to achieve?
- Do you always ask yourself which of several tasks is the best way to spend your time? Do you always ask which task should be your higher priority in view of your short-term and long-term goals?
- If you won a large amount of money, would you continuing living as you are now? Are you living the kind of life that even money can’t buy?
- Do you concentrate on the job you’re doing in the present, rather than feeling sorry for yourself because you aren’t living the life you wish you were living?
Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Procrastination, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.
If you answered “yes” to all of the above questions, you’re winning the war against procrastination. If you answered “no” to any of the questions, you need to recognize the possibility that procrastination is keeping you from living a richer life.
Ask yourself why you haven’t written a vision for your life. What are the benefits of establishing priorities? Do you postpone tasks for justifiable reasons, or do you simply look for excuses to procrastinate.
Always ask yourself if a job needs to be done at all. Make a list of what you most regret not having done in your life because of the poor decisions you made in the past about how to spend your time. According to research findings, we spend as much as 80% of our time on tasks that do not contribute to the success of our projects. Many people load themselves down with work that is unnecessary or that could be justifiably postponed.
Are you passionate about your life and work
? Ask yourself how you would spend your time if you won ten million dollars and never had to work again. These questions can lead to some surprising revelations about what your priorities should be. You may discover that you would be happier by making a career change, although in most cases people don’t need to switch careers to start living a richer life-they just need to know what they really want.
As the novelist George Eliot said, “It’s never too late to be the person you could have been.” Today is a good day to start.
That’s the latest from the Procrastination authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
- Do you want to make Your PDF files viral? Use This Secret Viral PDF Rebrander: Viral PDF
How a positive attitude can help you overcome procrastination
Current info about Procrastination is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Procrastination info available.
The following quiz will help you identify areas where a negative attitude has been keeping you from taking charge of your life. Answer “yes” to the statements that describe you.
1. I get discouraged when I think about all the problems I have.
2. I often wonder why my life is not as rewarding as it could be; many people around me seem to be living more satisfying lives than I am.
3. I have trouble focusing on my goals; I’m easily distracted at work.
4. I tend to put off getting started on projects because I’m always thinking about the things that can go wrong.
If you answered “yes” to any of the above statements, make a commitment to start retooling your attitude today. Read motivational books, listen to inspirational recordings, and associate with positive thinkers.
Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Procrastination, keep reading.
We cause our own feelings; I am the major cause of my own problems. Don’t let a negative attitude stand in the way of your happiness in life. Never make an important decision when you’re feeling down. What is your best time for making decisions? What is your worst time? What is your best time for working on difficult tasks? Is there a time of day when you tend to procrastinate more? Is there a time of day when you tend to procrastinate less?
Here are some tips for improving your attitude that can help you take the first steps toward overcoming the procrastination monster:
- Focus on the result you want to achieve. The more you focus on problems, the more discouraged you’re likely to get. If you’re not getting what you want out of life, you probably suffer from a lack of focus. This is why procrastination is such a dangerous demon-it prevents us from focusing on our goals. Procrastinators focus on all the reasons not to move forward, instead of focusing on the goal they want to achieve.
- Give your full attention to whatever you’re doing. When you concentrate on the things that can go wrong, you can’t stay focused on the job you’re doing. Failure is the inevitable consequence of a lack of focus; if I think I’m going to do a bad job, I probably will-or I may never get started at all.
- Don’t focus on all the things that can go wrong. Focusing on the hazards involved in trying to do something will almost always convince you to give up before you start.
I’m not advising you to throw caution to the wind. Every task we undertake has things that can go wrong. Simply said, it’s enough to know what the dangers are, be prepared to respond to them, and then move ahead with the project-confident in your ability to handle whatever comes up.
People who dwell on all the things that can go wrong never get anything done. Productive people have learned to focus on opportunities-concentrate on the benefits of successfully completing a project and you will have won a major battle in the war against procrastination.
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By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
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How to defeat procrastination and get the most out of life
Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about Procrastination? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about Procrastination.
I believe that procrastination keeps the majority of human beings from getting the most out of life. What is it exactly? The word procrastination literally means to leave something “for tomorrow.” It comes from the Latin words pro (for) and cras (tomorrow). Procrastination is the postponement of something that you know you should do.
There are no “born” procrastinators; they develop their bad habits one step at a time. And that’s how you can develop new habits to defeat procrastination-one step at a time. But you have to take the first step. You will never become a more active, take-charge person by reading articles and books on how to overcome procrastination. The best advice in the world will do you no good at all unless you act on it.
So I encourage you to make a commitment to act on the tips you find here. You may not agree with everything I say; I fight a daily battle against procrastination, too, and I don’t always win. But you and I are on the same side-procrastination is our common enemy, and we both want to beat it.
Procrastination keeps people from living their best lives. Why do we procrastinate? There are many reasons: indecision, stress, fatigue, depression, a desire to gather information, disorganization, fear of failure, and even fear of success. You can’t defeat procrastination overnight-if you’re a procrastinator, you have been accumulating bad habits over a lifetime. But you can defeat procrastination by making a disciplined effort to get at the roots of the problem.
If you don’t have accurate details regarding Procrastination, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don’t let that happen: keep reading.
- Tip No. 1: Take full responsibility for your failures. One of the main causes of procrastination is the habit many people have of blaming their failures on circumstances. When you tell yourself that failures are caused by circumstances beyond your control, you are preparing yourself for a lifetime of procrastination.
- Tip No. 2: Just do it. Successful people know that their success depends on a commitment to do whatever it takes to reach a goal. Success in all projects, large and small, is determined by the actions you take and your ability to stay focused on your goals. This is true whether your goal is to reduce clutter at home, lose weight, restore a relationship, or complete a major project at work. Projects come in all different shapes, sizes, and levels of importance, but the principles that determine their success or failure are always the same: focus, determination, self-discipline, and confidence.
- Tip No. 3: Establish your priorities. What does it mean to change? To change is to choose a behavior different from the one you’re using now. We all have to fight the drift toward procrastination every day. If you’re losing the war against procrastination, you need to get your priorities right. Make a list of your priorities at work and in your relationships.
Make a commitment to make something happen in at least one of your high-priority items every day. The novelist George Eliot said, “It’s never too late to be the person you could have been.” The best time to start is now.
There’s a lot to understand about Procrastination. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
- Do you want to make Your PDF files viral
? Use This Secret Viral PDF Rebrander: Viral PDF