Be honest - are you one of those people who puts things off? It's ok - we all do it. It's human nature. "Why do something today when you can do it tomorrow," or so the saying goes. But procrastination (to give it it's "proper" name) can cost us more than we can imagine.
Why do we procrastinate? In general, we procrastinate because the task we are putting off is unpleasant in some way. Either we don't like doing it (like calling a bank), or there is some physical discomfort (like going to the dentist). The task may even be boring and monotonous, or just plain difficult.
But the effects of procrastination can run deeper than just not doing the task. Other problems it may cause are:
Being branded as lazy: When people notice that you haven't completed particular tasks, you can be branded as a lazy person. Not only can this affect your job or personal life (promotions and the like), but it may mean the tasks you really want to do are offered to someone else who is considered more reliable!
Creates clutter: Many unfinished tasks can leave a lot of clutter around - books, papers or other items that are needed to perform the job.
Bad for morale: There is nothing worse than knowing you have a job you need to do, and knowing at the end of the day that the job wasn't done. It can make you feel down, and even preoccupy your mind while you're trying to concentrate on other things.
You have no leeway: When you put something off, jobs accumulate. This means if an urgent task suddenly comes in, you have no leeway to drop everything and work on it - there are too many other outstanding things that need doing.
It becomes more unpleasant: The job itself may not change by putting it off, but the feeling in our mind of how unpleasant we think the job will be grows. We think about how we have to explain not doing the job to other people, and the whole situation feeds on itself and becomes ugly.
Now to be fair, sometimes procrastinating isn't a conscious action. Particular jobs just never seem to get done, even though you never consciously decided not to do them. But at other times you do make the decision not to do the job at the moment, and just put it off.
But you can save yourself a lot of mental clutter, and perhaps even more discomfort later on, if you just adopt a "do it now" attitude. Decide that you're just going to get the job out of the way when it comes it, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. By doing the job straight away, often you will realise that the discomfort you associated with the task was simply your mind feeding on itself as you were putting it off. And the sense of relief you get from finishing the task is well worth it.
So, now you know about procrastination you have to ask yourself the question - "what am I going to do about it?" Hopefully you will decide to banish procrastination from your life, and reap the rewards of that decision!
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Kamis, 19 Januari 2012
Sabtu, 30 Oktober 2010
The Perrfectionist Demon!
One of the worst habits you can have is to be a perfectionist. Most people do not even realize that being a perfectionist leads to the horrible habit of procrastination - putting off the things that you know need to be done.
The basis for procrastination is the fear that we will not do something properly so we decide not to start. If we don't start then we cannot fail. We think in our heads that we must complete a project but are afraid it will not be done correctly leading to failure or being completed late and unsatisfactory. This type of thinking leaves no middle ground; you are either perfect or a complete failure. People who think this way set them selves up for failure because very, I repeat very, few thinks are perfect in life.
Striving to be perfect creates expectations, pressures and problems, which create enormous stress. This stress is so strong that being happy is almost impossible. One of the most damaging problems with being a perfectionist is the feeling of having to impress others. So much so that the perfectionist thinking holds them back from ever being able to break any old habits and being able to create the change they desire.
You have to change your level of thinking. Accept that you and everything around you is not perfect. You will find yourself able to start projects with out being afraid. Be able to smile and not worry what others think about what you are doing. Not think to your self "I can't do it because I know it will come out bad, No body will like it. I just can't. "Or say "I'll just do it tomorrow, I have plenty of time." Perfectionists say these statements all the time. Don't fall into these traps. Enjoy life, smile and have fun. Do not let the things you have to do in life control you. Change your behavior today! It all starts with your mind set.
The basis for procrastination is the fear that we will not do something properly so we decide not to start. If we don't start then we cannot fail. We think in our heads that we must complete a project but are afraid it will not be done correctly leading to failure or being completed late and unsatisfactory. This type of thinking leaves no middle ground; you are either perfect or a complete failure. People who think this way set them selves up for failure because very, I repeat very, few thinks are perfect in life.
Striving to be perfect creates expectations, pressures and problems, which create enormous stress. This stress is so strong that being happy is almost impossible. One of the most damaging problems with being a perfectionist is the feeling of having to impress others. So much so that the perfectionist thinking holds them back from ever being able to break any old habits and being able to create the change they desire.
You have to change your level of thinking. Accept that you and everything around you is not perfect. You will find yourself able to start projects with out being afraid. Be able to smile and not worry what others think about what you are doing. Not think to your self "I can't do it because I know it will come out bad, No body will like it. I just can't. "Or say "I'll just do it tomorrow, I have plenty of time." Perfectionists say these statements all the time. Don't fall into these traps. Enjoy life, smile and have fun. Do not let the things you have to do in life control you. Change your behavior today! It all starts with your mind set.
Senin, 06 September 2010
Double Whammy: The Effects of Procrastination.
Procrastination, like all of your behaviours carries consequences. Whether your behaviour is conscious or unconscious, you will eventually have to deal with the effects. The effects of procrastination are something that we all have to confront and deal with from time to time. It's only natural to procrastinate at times but, the way you deal with your procrastination patterns will determine what effects procrastination has on your life.
One of the most obvious effects of procrastination is the failure to reap the rewards that would come from taking action. When you procrastinate you simple fail to take action on the very things you know will bring you the rewards that you desire. Although you know what you want and even what you need to do to get it, you still have to take action and it's usually at this point where procrastination sets in.
Because the results that you desire are often something bigger and better than what you currently have, you must step outside your comfort zone to get it. You might have to take actions that you are not comfortable with to which your unconscious mind reacts by "protecting" you against that which is uncomfortable. Although the short term effects of procrastination might seem as "positive" the long term effects are almost always negative.
Failing to reap the rewards of taking action can have many knock on effects. Taking action on your ideas and desires is one of your most empowering gifts. It is the process by which you can make the intangible tangible. Through your actions and your behaviour you create or un-create your life. It's not only the direct results of your actions that creates you outcomes, but often the very fact that you are actually consciously affecting the conditions of your life. It not just your actions, but rather your failure to take action that will have a greater effect on the rewards you reap from life. From this point of view the effects of procrastination is not just a direct but also an indirect loss of rewards. Every action is a cause set in motion that affects and build on past and future events to the point where we can never really determine the actual effect of one specific action. More than anything else, action opens you up to opportunity.
Opportunity is rarely the result of you waiting for it. When you put yourself in line with what you want most through your conscious action you expose yourself to opportunity. It's never a case of whether you have opportunities but rather are you noticing the opportunities? But even more importantly, are you using the opportunities or are you procrastinating? One thing is for certain and that is when procrastination becomes a habit you won't even notice all the opportunities on your doorstep. You will live your life in distraction, constantly looking for short term "pleasures" to avoid the real challenges that will cause you to reap the real results. You will always "turn a blind eye" to the real opportunities. Thos who succeed are rarely the people with the most or the most splendid opportunities. They are the people who saw an opportunity where no one else saw it and then they took action to realize it.
Out of all the negative effects of procrastination and indecision the failure to spot and act on opportunity is probably the saddest. So many people with so much talent fail to live up to their true potential because of procrastination. The rewards you reap from life will be either a direct or an indirect result of your actions or your inactions. Not only will procrastination prevent you from reaping the rewards but your inaction will prevent you from even being exposed to opportunity. Opportunity is knocking but you have to take action and at least open the door. Don't let the effects of procrastination stand between what you are and what you can become. As the famous entrepreneur and businessman Victor Kiam once said: "Procrastination is opportunity's assassin."
One of the most obvious effects of procrastination is the failure to reap the rewards that would come from taking action. When you procrastinate you simple fail to take action on the very things you know will bring you the rewards that you desire. Although you know what you want and even what you need to do to get it, you still have to take action and it's usually at this point where procrastination sets in.
Because the results that you desire are often something bigger and better than what you currently have, you must step outside your comfort zone to get it. You might have to take actions that you are not comfortable with to which your unconscious mind reacts by "protecting" you against that which is uncomfortable. Although the short term effects of procrastination might seem as "positive" the long term effects are almost always negative.
Failing to reap the rewards of taking action can have many knock on effects. Taking action on your ideas and desires is one of your most empowering gifts. It is the process by which you can make the intangible tangible. Through your actions and your behaviour you create or un-create your life. It's not only the direct results of your actions that creates you outcomes, but often the very fact that you are actually consciously affecting the conditions of your life. It not just your actions, but rather your failure to take action that will have a greater effect on the rewards you reap from life. From this point of view the effects of procrastination is not just a direct but also an indirect loss of rewards. Every action is a cause set in motion that affects and build on past and future events to the point where we can never really determine the actual effect of one specific action. More than anything else, action opens you up to opportunity.
Opportunity is rarely the result of you waiting for it. When you put yourself in line with what you want most through your conscious action you expose yourself to opportunity. It's never a case of whether you have opportunities but rather are you noticing the opportunities? But even more importantly, are you using the opportunities or are you procrastinating? One thing is for certain and that is when procrastination becomes a habit you won't even notice all the opportunities on your doorstep. You will live your life in distraction, constantly looking for short term "pleasures" to avoid the real challenges that will cause you to reap the real results. You will always "turn a blind eye" to the real opportunities. Thos who succeed are rarely the people with the most or the most splendid opportunities. They are the people who saw an opportunity where no one else saw it and then they took action to realize it.
Out of all the negative effects of procrastination and indecision the failure to spot and act on opportunity is probably the saddest. So many people with so much talent fail to live up to their true potential because of procrastination. The rewards you reap from life will be either a direct or an indirect result of your actions or your inactions. Not only will procrastination prevent you from reaping the rewards but your inaction will prevent you from even being exposed to opportunity. Opportunity is knocking but you have to take action and at least open the door. Don't let the effects of procrastination stand between what you are and what you can become. As the famous entrepreneur and businessman Victor Kiam once said: "Procrastination is opportunity's assassin."
Sabtu, 06 Februari 2010
10 Ways To Kick The Procrastination Habit
A survey (by the University of Chicago) suggested that those who relish challenge are more likely to live up to 10 years longer than those who spend their lives inhibited by timidity.
Trying to realize our ambitions, even if we don't always meet them, is preferable to not having the courage or motivation to take the risk. So not making any resolutions because we fear that we'll break them is having a defeatist attitude, as we allow procrastination to become an insidious ha...
A survey (by the University of Chicago) suggested that those who relish challenge are more likely to live up to 10 years longer than those who spend their lives inhibited by timidity.
Trying to realize our ambitions, even if we don't always meet them, is preferable to not having the courage or motivation to take the risk. So not making any resolutions because we fear that we'll break them is having a defeatist attitude, as we allow procrastination to become an insidious habit which stops us from leading more fulfilling lives.
The following offers 10 ways to kick the procrastination habit!
1. Personal values development.
Take the time to find out what you really want in life, what your personal values are. Do you want more time, more money, better health, greater self esteem and confidence, more fulfilling relationships, a different career, set up a business? When we procrastinate it's often because what we are planning to do is not really aligned with what we truly want. We may be scared of our skills (or perceived lack of) or fear ridicule from others.
2. Make health and high energy levels a priority.
Without good health we are less likely to have the energy and dynamism needed to make positive changes in our lives and it's easier (and necessary if you're very ill) to procrastinate. So ensure that you have a nourishing diet, sleep well, exercise and meditate. Incidentally, it is thought that regular meditation helps delay the worst effects of the ageing process.
3. Visualize your life without procrastination.
See and feel the benefits in your life if you didn't procrastinate. What could you do and achieve? Begin to act as if you're not a procrastinator. Write down, draw, imagine your life as a film. Use affirmations to help you.
4. Banish the Gremlin.
That little voice which runs on auto in your head - that dismisses any idea that you might have. It says things like "I'm not in the mood" "I don't have time" "I can't do this". Stop running on auto, replace the "should's" "oughts" "have tos" with "want to" "desire". You have a choice. Acknowledge your choices and banish the Gremlin. Again, using affirmations can help you replace the Gremlin with more positive alternatives.
5. Over commitment.
Saying "yes" to everything - often leaves you feeling tired and without the energy to focus on what is most important to you. This leads to procrastination as projects and tasks are dropped. Identify what is most important to you and only focus on those areas which will make the biggest difference to your life. It will enhance your focus and motivation.
6. Set personal and professional goals.
It's hard to motivate yourself when you don't have a good idea of what you want to accomplish. So when setting goals think about what you want to achieve in the short term and long term. Techniques for doing so include the SMART strategy. S = specific M = measurable A= Action R = Realistic T = Time based. Use goal setting software to help you in goal planning and setting.
7. Prioritize Your Goals.
Develop a plan or schedule to help you reach your goals. In doing so you will begin to identify whether some elements need to be included or enhanced or dropped completely. Also remember to be flexible, revisit your goals regularly and modify or drop if appropriate. Just because a goal is written down doesn't mean that it is set in stone!
8. Divide and conquer.
Once you've prioritized your goals, divide them into smaller chunks. Sometimes we procrastinate because a project seems really large that the scale of it overwhelms us and puts us into a temporary form of paralysis - you don't know where to start, so you don't start at all! Approach each project - especially large ones - on a step by step basis.
9. Reward yourself.
Once you start to complete tasks, reward yourself by giving yourself something that you want. So instead of seeing a film before you complete a task, see it afterwards and make it a reward for you.
10. Just get started.
No excuses. Don't wait until you're "in the mood". The mood never comes! It is a clever camouflage and a delaying tactic. What you resist persists! Start with what is easiest, so that you experience immediate success, which will give you the fuel and motivation to upgrade and take on larger projects.
Do any of the above and you'll be well on your way to Kicking the Procrastination Habit. And if you're procrastinating over doing any of the above :.), then remember that life is the biggest deadline of all!
Trying to realize our ambitions, even if we don't always meet them, is preferable to not having the courage or motivation to take the risk. So not making any resolutions because we fear that we'll break them is having a defeatist attitude, as we allow procrastination to become an insidious ha...
A survey (by the University of Chicago) suggested that those who relish challenge are more likely to live up to 10 years longer than those who spend their lives inhibited by timidity.
Trying to realize our ambitions, even if we don't always meet them, is preferable to not having the courage or motivation to take the risk. So not making any resolutions because we fear that we'll break them is having a defeatist attitude, as we allow procrastination to become an insidious habit which stops us from leading more fulfilling lives.
The following offers 10 ways to kick the procrastination habit!
1. Personal values development.
Take the time to find out what you really want in life, what your personal values are. Do you want more time, more money, better health, greater self esteem and confidence, more fulfilling relationships, a different career, set up a business? When we procrastinate it's often because what we are planning to do is not really aligned with what we truly want. We may be scared of our skills (or perceived lack of) or fear ridicule from others.
2. Make health and high energy levels a priority.
Without good health we are less likely to have the energy and dynamism needed to make positive changes in our lives and it's easier (and necessary if you're very ill) to procrastinate. So ensure that you have a nourishing diet, sleep well, exercise and meditate. Incidentally, it is thought that regular meditation helps delay the worst effects of the ageing process.
3. Visualize your life without procrastination.
See and feel the benefits in your life if you didn't procrastinate. What could you do and achieve? Begin to act as if you're not a procrastinator. Write down, draw, imagine your life as a film. Use affirmations to help you.
4. Banish the Gremlin.
That little voice which runs on auto in your head - that dismisses any idea that you might have. It says things like "I'm not in the mood" "I don't have time" "I can't do this". Stop running on auto, replace the "should's" "oughts" "have tos" with "want to" "desire". You have a choice. Acknowledge your choices and banish the Gremlin. Again, using affirmations can help you replace the Gremlin with more positive alternatives.
5. Over commitment.
Saying "yes" to everything - often leaves you feeling tired and without the energy to focus on what is most important to you. This leads to procrastination as projects and tasks are dropped. Identify what is most important to you and only focus on those areas which will make the biggest difference to your life. It will enhance your focus and motivation.
6. Set personal and professional goals.
It's hard to motivate yourself when you don't have a good idea of what you want to accomplish. So when setting goals think about what you want to achieve in the short term and long term. Techniques for doing so include the SMART strategy. S = specific M = measurable A= Action R = Realistic T = Time based. Use goal setting software to help you in goal planning and setting.
7. Prioritize Your Goals.
Develop a plan or schedule to help you reach your goals. In doing so you will begin to identify whether some elements need to be included or enhanced or dropped completely. Also remember to be flexible, revisit your goals regularly and modify or drop if appropriate. Just because a goal is written down doesn't mean that it is set in stone!
8. Divide and conquer.
Once you've prioritized your goals, divide them into smaller chunks. Sometimes we procrastinate because a project seems really large that the scale of it overwhelms us and puts us into a temporary form of paralysis - you don't know where to start, so you don't start at all! Approach each project - especially large ones - on a step by step basis.
9. Reward yourself.
Once you start to complete tasks, reward yourself by giving yourself something that you want. So instead of seeing a film before you complete a task, see it afterwards and make it a reward for you.
10. Just get started.
No excuses. Don't wait until you're "in the mood". The mood never comes! It is a clever camouflage and a delaying tactic. What you resist persists! Start with what is easiest, so that you experience immediate success, which will give you the fuel and motivation to upgrade and take on larger projects.
Do any of the above and you'll be well on your way to Kicking the Procrastination Habit. And if you're procrastinating over doing any of the above :.), then remember that life is the biggest deadline of all!
Rabu, 13 Januari 2010
4 Quick and EASY Tips On How-To Become The Person Of Your Dreams
This article explains how you can become the person of your dreams by simply focusing on the what you want your end result to be.
Quick question...
What would you like to be when you grow up?
I bet you often heard this question asked many times when you were still young from your parents and relatives.
But, have you really given that question some deep thoughts?
Different people have different dreams.
So, what's your aspiration? Do you want to become a doctor, lawyer, pilot, or entertainer?
Or...
Would you like to be a Tom Cruise or Bill Gates?
Let me tell you right now, you can become what you want to become. You can become anything you want to be as long as you put your Mind and Heart into it.
I recommend you read some biographies of the people who inspire you the most. It's a great way to give you some guidance through their experiences they share within their biographies as to how they got to where they are today.
Here are 4 more quick tips and words of encouragement to keep you all fired up towards becoming who you want to be in life.
Tip #1.
Learn as much as possible about the person you aspire to be. Let's say your dream is to become a basketball player.
Gather all facts and information about the sport. Research on the internet, read books, watch the games and analyze team strategies; in other words, strive to be an Expert.
Tip #2.
You must have the Desire and Passion to know everything you can about the subject. If you can have a real person to imitate or look up to, the better.
For example, you may see yourself as Michael Jordan (for basketball), Mariah Carey (for singing), or Heide Klum (for modeling). Feel, talk, and act as if you're that person you're emulating. You'll quickly acquire the behavior and qualities of that person. This formula works like a charm, so just give it a try.
Tip #3.
Take Motivated Action and start pursuing your dreams!
Don't wait for everything to be perfect. That will never happen. There will always be bumps and obstacles ahead. The important thing is to start Right NOW and adjust along the way.
You'll be glad did.
Tip #4.
Persist until the VERY end.
Never let failures distract you. Just keep pushing yourself to the limit.
If you think that a task seems impossible to accomplish, banish that thought... Immediately!
Your mind has the capacity to bring into reality anything you desire.
As long as you stay Focused and Patient on your objective despite any setbacks or discouragements, you will become successful much sooner than you may think.
Quick question...
What would you like to be when you grow up?
I bet you often heard this question asked many times when you were still young from your parents and relatives.
But, have you really given that question some deep thoughts?
Different people have different dreams.
So, what's your aspiration? Do you want to become a doctor, lawyer, pilot, or entertainer?
Or...
Would you like to be a Tom Cruise or Bill Gates?
Let me tell you right now, you can become what you want to become. You can become anything you want to be as long as you put your Mind and Heart into it.
I recommend you read some biographies of the people who inspire you the most. It's a great way to give you some guidance through their experiences they share within their biographies as to how they got to where they are today.
Here are 4 more quick tips and words of encouragement to keep you all fired up towards becoming who you want to be in life.
Tip #1.
Learn as much as possible about the person you aspire to be. Let's say your dream is to become a basketball player.
Gather all facts and information about the sport. Research on the internet, read books, watch the games and analyze team strategies; in other words, strive to be an Expert.
Tip #2.
You must have the Desire and Passion to know everything you can about the subject. If you can have a real person to imitate or look up to, the better.
For example, you may see yourself as Michael Jordan (for basketball), Mariah Carey (for singing), or Heide Klum (for modeling). Feel, talk, and act as if you're that person you're emulating. You'll quickly acquire the behavior and qualities of that person. This formula works like a charm, so just give it a try.
Tip #3.
Take Motivated Action and start pursuing your dreams!
Don't wait for everything to be perfect. That will never happen. There will always be bumps and obstacles ahead. The important thing is to start Right NOW and adjust along the way.
You'll be glad did.
Tip #4.
Persist until the VERY end.
Never let failures distract you. Just keep pushing yourself to the limit.
If you think that a task seems impossible to accomplish, banish that thought... Immediately!
Your mind has the capacity to bring into reality anything you desire.
As long as you stay Focused and Patient on your objective despite any setbacks or discouragements, you will become successful much sooner than you may think.
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