Procrastination is a bad habit. Like other bad way of life, they take a long time to form and they'll take some time to fix.
Those who procrastinate tend to do exactly the opposite. They do the fun stuff first and then look at starting the boring or exhausting work that's left. Often, that stuff simply gets put off until tomorrow, and then the next day, and so on.
There will be a inducement for changing your habit. You'll feel less anxiety because your stuff is always done on time and not at the last minute. Your parents, spouse, roommate, etc. won't be upset with you anymore for not cleaning up after yourself in a timely manner. Your boss will promote you instead of firing you because your job is always done a bit early and done well.
Different things work for different people. I personally like to do the things I hate the most first and without delay. Then I find it much easier to face the rest of the day's challenges with that stuff behind me.
My recommendation is to begin compelling yourself to make new, good habits. Each day make a list of things that you absolutely must do before fun time begins. Be realistic! If you set the goalpost too high, you'll just get frustrated and return to your procrastinating ways.
Getting started can be tough at times and a surefire way to prevent yourself from getting started is to set very high expectations upfront. What will happen in your brain is that it wants prevent yourself from failure, which results you not getting started. Instead, know the roadmap of what needs to happen and do it one thing at a time.
Literally, one task at a time. Want to write a book? Write one page a day. Want to lose weight? Start walking every day for 15 minutes. All these little things will add up to your major outcome.
Just start doing one thing at a time. No matter how big or small - just one thing.
This is the dark side of productivity - using fear to propel yourself forward. It's either-or. From personal experience, pain is a stronger motivator to take action than pleasure is.
Using fear to your advantage is difficult but it can be very powerful. Think of the consequences of your inaction. Would that raise fear in you?
What if you didn't take out the trash and you knew your spouse would get really upset with you. Would that propel you to take action?
Take breaks from the drudgery but also predetermine how often you will get a break and how long it will last. That way you'll be less tempted to never come off the break and return to your procrastinating ways.
See you at the top of the ladder!
There will be a inducement for changing your habit. You'll feel less anxiety because your stuff is always done on time and not at the last minute. Your parents, spouse, roommate, etc. won't be upset with you anymore for not cleaning up after yourself in a timely manner. Your boss will promote you instead of firing you because your job is always done a bit early and done well.
Different things work for different people. I personally like to do the things I hate the most first and without delay. Then I find it much easier to face the rest of the day's challenges with that stuff behind me.
My recommendation is to begin compelling yourself to make new, good habits. Each day make a list of things that you absolutely must do before fun time begins. Be realistic! If you set the goalpost too high, you'll just get frustrated and return to your procrastinating ways.
Getting started can be tough at times and a surefire way to prevent yourself from getting started is to set very high expectations upfront. What will happen in your brain is that it wants prevent yourself from failure, which results you not getting started. Instead, know the roadmap of what needs to happen and do it one thing at a time.
Literally, one task at a time. Want to write a book? Write one page a day. Want to lose weight? Start walking every day for 15 minutes. All these little things will add up to your major outcome.
Just start doing one thing at a time. No matter how big or small - just one thing.
This is the dark side of productivity - using fear to propel yourself forward. It's either-or. From personal experience, pain is a stronger motivator to take action than pleasure is.
Using fear to your advantage is difficult but it can be very powerful. Think of the consequences of your inaction. Would that raise fear in you?
What if you didn't take out the trash and you knew your spouse would get really upset with you. Would that propel you to take action?
Take breaks from the drudgery but also predetermine how often you will get a break and how long it will last. That way you'll be less tempted to never come off the break and return to your procrastinating ways.
See you at the top of the ladder!
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