Beating procrastination starts and ends with your thinking. Let’s lose the intro and just get on with it:
1. Give yourself a real incentive
Working towards your ultimate business/life goals is tough going sometimes. Give your latest project a deadline and give yourself a tangible reward for achieving it. Anything from a snack to an overseas holiday works. Be strict.
2. Put a deadline on your procrastination
You’re already procrastinating so why not enjoy it?! Give yourself thirty minutes of messing around and then commit to work.
3. Brainstorm your “reasons why”
Ask yourself “Why must I finish [insert-task] today?” and “What will it cost me if I don’t?”. Write it down and make sure you feel the answers.
4. Advertise your deadline
Most people are more psychologically driven away from losing face than they are driven towards getting stuff done. Share your deadline with someone you really respect. Don’t let them down.
5. Turn off the internet
Takes Jedi levels of discipline but really REALLY works. Enough said.
6. Take more breaks than usual
Most procrastination and distraction is caused by people attempting unrealistic levels of productivity. Experiment with taking a ten minute break every forty-five minutes. You’ll know it’s working if you find the breaks boring.
7. Stop in the most exciting part
When you’re done for the day but have more work for tomorrow, leave your project incomplete in a really exciting (and disjointed) place. This guarantees it’ll be fun and easy to dive right back in when you need to.
This article written in 14 minutes using techniques 2, 3, 4 and 5. Spelling and grammar errors for entertainment purposes only.
Last minute addition: I use number 7 a LOT when writing…. the best way is to leave (whatever it is) mid-sentence.
That way, when you come back to it, your brain transitions seamlessly back into focused “writing mode”.
All bloggers should try this.
This blog post is so damn obvisious but needed to be ‘reminded’ really badly. Perfect timing, thank you.
Especially like 3, Asking myself, what will it cost me if I don’t do this?’. When I remember to do this step, and really FEEL the answer/s, I am truly unstoppable.
Kindest Regards,
Sam
P.S. Am writing this up, poster stle, and going to stick it by my mirror and read it every morning.
Thanks again Peter.
Number three is definitely the most Jedi of all seven.
“feeling” it is essential.
I like this – and will be re-posting the link to my friends. But, ummm … dang!
1. Check – got it.
2. Check – I allow myself time to mess around before starting the day.
3. Interesting idea … this is helpful
4. Check – being accountable is necessary for me on important stuff.
5. Are you kidding me? I’ll die (ok, maybe not – but I might!). Ok, I’ll think about it.
6. This is where I play with the internet – it’s my brain release time when I’m tired of pouring out words. (see, I knew I could make it work) 🙂
7. Wow, I really like this – and it makes sense. It allows your mind to process on what is coming up while you’re away from it.
Ok, this is fun!
Number 7 is a real kicker – if you can make a regular habit of it, it decreases your “getting started” time by about 80%.
It’s especially significant for artists, who should never, ever leave their project in a state of closure… unless they intend on never touching it again.
First off I would like to say great blog! I had a quick question which
I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there. I truly do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Thanks!
Hey Deana,
It’s important to differentiate between idea brainstorming and actually writing… they’re quite different and for me at least happen at different times. If I try to turn a blank page into a post, I get jammed up…. but when I keep notes on all the crazy ideas in my head then revisit them to start writing… it works!
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Hi I am so grateful I found your site, I really found you by
error, while I was looking on Bing for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say
kudos for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the excellent job.