How To Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done
Did you know that procrastination causes anxiety? The tasks or activities that we keep putting off will just recycle and ruminate in our brains all day and night and bleed into the next day. Our brains are aware of what is looming, what needs to be done and what tasks are still awaiting completion. The “things to do list” causes repeated stress and in turn anxiety. So how do we make some progress with procrastination? Follow these four simple steps to make a dent in the dreaded things to do list.
Step 1: Identify what MUST be done.
Keep it super simplistic. Pick only 1 or 2 things, from the ever-growing list, that have been driving you crazy OR that MUST get done today. Keep it limited to just a couple of tasks. The goal is to get something done, not everything done.
Step 2: Do the task before anything else.
The item that has been identified, that MUST be done today, must be done first. This part is so important! Understand that we WILL put it off because we don’t want to do it, it is that simple. Beware of all the typical things we tell ourselves, “I will do it later, I will do it after I rest, I will do it after work, I will do it tonight.” NO, YOU WON’T! It must be done first, or it will not get done…period.
Step 3: Bargain with yourself to get it done.
If you want to play Xbox, you play as soon as you get the task done. If you want to go shopping (at the store or online), tell yourself you can shop as soon as you are done. If you want to watch a new series, reward yourself with your binge watching as soon as you are done the task.
Step 4: Feel good about getting it done!
Feel all the feelings! Celebrate the relief of getting something done. One less thing to worry about today. Pick 1 (or 2) new things for the next day and repeat. One a day is a doable process and will lessen that sinking feeling of procrastination.
****USE THIS SIMPLE DAILY WORKFLOW SHEET TO HELP ORGANIZE YOUR WORKDAY.
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