It’s very hard to know why people procrastinate. When we procrastinate, we are usually putting off doing something that will be a benefit, but for some reason there is more energy put forth to NOT do the task than to actually do it.
Unfortunately, procrastination is just a way of putting off goals and dreams for another time; goals and dreams that you want to come true, but something is holding you back. It seems like there is a subconscious fear of failure, or fear of change, that is stronger than the goal of success. But if you want success bad enough, you need to face your fear and decide to start doing those things you have put off for so long immediately.
Here’s the quickest way to get started!
List Your Excuses:
First, make a list of all of the things you need to do that you have been putting off, you probably have this “to do” list already drafted in your office. Then get in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted for about 20 minutes. Go through each item on the list and write down your excuse(s) for not having completed the task already. Maybe it’s a money problem, or you don’t think you have enough education or the proper qualifications. Whatever it is, just write it down and don’t worry about how it will be resolved right now.
Find the Benefits in your Excuse(s):
Go through the list again and list the benefits you currently enjoy because you are procrastinating on these items. Again, just start writing and soon your subconscious will take over and you will have the answers you need. For example, if you wrote down that you don’t have enough education, then the benefit you are receiving right now by not getting an education is that you have more money then you would if you were spending it on school, and/or, you have more time to do the things you want to do because you’re not spending time in school.
Determine Action:
Now that you have your lists in front of you, take a short break and then come back and look at the list with fresh eyes. Look at all of the reasons you have listed as excuses procrastinating, and the benefits you are receiving. Do these still make sense? For most people, when it’s all on paper it just doesn’t look right – the benefits that are being received just do not outweigh the results that could be achieved with a little planning. This is the time to sit down again and make a Plan – a plan that you will stick to and not put off for any longer. Now is the time to make a “to do” list that you will actually do! First, quickly write down a list of things you will do to make your dreams a reality while they are in your thoughts. Then, go through the list again and put them in the proper order that they need to be done (example: Do you need to get a loan to go to College?) Also, write down the date that you will complete each item.
At this point, you know exactly what you need to do to make your dreams a reality. Now, Are you ready to stop procrastinating or are you going to put if off a little longer? The choice is yours.
In life you can only have two things – Reasons or Results – and Reasons don’t count! You either have what you want, or you have ‘reasons’ why you don’t have it.
Procrastination is a disease. The cure is convincing yourself that it no longer serves you.
If you would like to realize you dreams and create the life you have always wanted, I invite you to take a look at the Stop Procrastinating program. Nothing works faster or produces better results.