Stop Procrastination - Just do it!

What stops you from 'getting things done?'

Have you ever started your day with good intentions of completing a task or project only to find that by the end of the day you've hardly worked on it? Or have you ever set a goal to attend a seminar, learn a new skill or just have more time out for you?

I'm sure you have. I'm not going to write a long-winded explanation about the art of procrastination or "putting things off" but what I will do is share with you the secret of actually "getting things done"?putting an end to procrastination and just getting on with it.

I believe most people overload themselves with too many unimportant tasks or commitments, which in the scheme of their day or life is really of little benefit.

Our society is so conditioned to "being busy". If you ask a colleague or friend "How are you?", generally they answer "I'm busy/flat-out/snowed-under", even on weekends! But what are they "busy/flat-out/snowed-under" doing? "Being busy" can be totally different to "being productive".

Bill's story

Bill, a friend of mine is an extremely intelligent and creative person. He's "flat-out" in his role as the Marketing Manager for a large manufacturing company. Having observed Bill in his working environment, he constantly allows everyone and anyone to interrupt him. He believes in the "open door" policy. He allows the day to evolve rather than planning what he wants to achieve. Bill's office looks like a bomb-site so he consequently wastes immeasurable amounts of time searching for paperwork.

Bill has just turned forty - the 'mid-life' crisis decade. He's married with two children 8 and 10 yrs old whom he loves dearly. Unfortunately due to his work commitments he does not spend as much time with them as he wants to. He 'used to be' fit but now he's on the pudgy side. His excuse for not exercising is "I don't have the time". Starting work by 8.00 a.m. and finishing around 7.00 p.m. Who would have the time?

Bill is like many people I know who don't realise there is a better way.

Bill called me a few weeks ago. He'd decided he'd had enough of "never having time" and wants to get organised for living his life. (Prior to this, I used to offer unsolicited advice but he took no notice).

How Bill stopped his procrastination and "just did it"

This is what happened:

Bill cleaned out the clutter from his original "bombsite".

We devised simple systems tailored to Bill's creative personality to cope with the mountains of paperwork.

Now that Bill has systems he has been able to identify tasks which he can delegate to others.

We've worked out simple and easy to implement strategies for coping with interruptions. The "open door" is sometimes closed.

Bill now uses a diary (that's right he never used one before) writes a daily list of things to do and scribbles all his notes in it. No more scraps of paper.

We worked out where Bill spends his time and prepared a weekly timetable so that he can work in a more structured way and get more done. Such as allocating specific times of the week for certain tasks, rather than letting them build up to unmanageable levels. Time for himself was also factored in.

He now gets up at 6.00 a.m. and goes to the gym near his home 4 mornings a week, has breakfast there and then blasts off to work. Those of you who exercise first thing in the morning know what I mean.

Bill's now eating more nutritious food. Instead of the unhealthy restaurant food he will often have his lunchtime meetings in a "trendy caf?" where he can choose what he eats.

The last time I spoke to Bill he said he had reduced his working hours. He was leaving the office by 6.00 p.m. the latest and was feeling so good he is considering training to compete in his gym's mini-triathlon.

How's that for stopping the procrastination and "just doing it". You can too, you know. We often know what to do, even how to do it.

All you need to do make a decision to stop your procrastination and take action today.

About The Author

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

To subscribe to her free ezine visit http://www.office-organiser.com.au

This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi: lorraine@office-organiser.com.au

---

9 Great Ways To Change Your Life By Changing Your Motivation Style

If you are not as productive as you'd like or tend to procrastinate, you can become motivated by changing your personal style. The trick lies in making the activities you put off more... Read More

Mountain-Moving Momentum

It can be challenging to think about going to the next level. Especially when you're completely overwhelmed by the thought of taking the next step. Are you catatonic? "Stuck on still"? Moving nowhere,... Read More

Unleash Your Unlimited Power

Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Your Inner Knowing is at least 986,743 times more powerful than your non-conscious mind. The reason is because this inner knowing has direct access... Read More

Visualization

Visualisation plays a very important role with the mind and body relationship. Visualisation and Imagination are quite similiar. Visualisation is the picturing power of your mind. Your mind is like a camera constantly... Read More

Change Your Life For The Better!

Are you still hoping and waiting for someone somewhere to come to your rescue, wave a magic wand and instantaneously change your life for the better?Are you praying that you will one day... Read More

Success Secrets - Achieving Ultimate Success

I hope you're having an AWESOME week!Let me first say that Lou & I really enjoy getting all the feedback and suggestions from you. It's fantastic stuff.Onward.Last night I was cleaning up my... Read More

3 Great Ways to Beat Procrastination at Work

As more tasks become automated due to advances in technology there is a general expectation, whether it is realistic or not, that productivity should increase as well.Everyone seems to have more work than... Read More

Finding Your Authentic Path

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." ~ Theodore RoethkeThe last of the lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us. Gardens are in full bloom reminding us that there is... Read More

Book Summary: Self Motivation

Gail Lindenfield is a well-known British author who has written several self-help books. In Self Motivation, she does a good job of going over many aspects of self development and she provides solutions... Read More

Is Work Still Necessary?

I have a confession to make - several confessions in fact.I have at times been stupid enough to believe that work is not necessary to make money or achieve success.A few years ago... Read More

Journaling - A Tool for Healing and Growth

The word "journal" comes from the French. It dates back to the 14th century and means daily. As recently as April 26, 1999, "Newsweek" magazine ran an article entitled "Pen, Paper, & Power.... Read More

The Thrivers Secrets to Success?: It Starts With Your Attitude - Get a Grip and Go?!

What impact would it have on your professional and personal life if you could learn the secret of successful living known by about 25% of the people? Think about that for a minute... Read More

Motivation; 5 Steps to Get the Changes You Want

Q: I just read your column in today's' Greensboro News and Record. For the last few years I've been struggling with change, and found your suggestions about "change tools" to be useful. I... Read More

Motivation: The Cure for Complacency

Q. I've always tried to work hard enough to provide for my family and be content. The problem is, when I'm content, I get complacent, and everything starts to fall apart. How do... Read More

Five Mores to Enhance Your Performance

When you think about the most successful, happy, fulfilled people you know, you could probably identify some characteristics these people have in common. If we were sitting together, I'm sure we could build... Read More

ABCs for High Achievers

A im for what you want by focusing clearly on priorities.B elieve in yourself and your goals, and then begin to strive for them.C ount your blessings, create opportunities, and commit to faith-driven... Read More

5 Fun & Easy Ways to Get Out of the Rut

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel less than great. Low, grouchy, fed-up and bored are all words you could use to describe what I'm like on those days. Thing is,... Read More

A Turning Point

19 years ago, I was a young working mother at 28, independent and working for a prestigious company, until circumstances made me choose between family and career. After going through weighing my options,... Read More

Courage

"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway." ? John Wayne"Courage is the clich? hallmark attributed to the hero. I say clich? because people talk about courage as if it... Read More

Who Is Stuart Goldsmith?

'Stuart Goldsmith? Who is Stuart Goldsmith?' you may be asking.I met Stuart at his retirement seminar in London at the end of 2002. I couldn't miss the chance of seeing for myself if... Read More

Procrastination

Allow me to start this with a quote:To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing. ~Eva Young"I'll do it tomorrow". Does this sound familiar? Getting something done is easy... Read More

Maximizing Your Potential by Definition

Someone once pointed out to me that in many of my presentations focusing on my theme, Maximizing Your Potential, I did not define potential specifically. Allow me to do so now.Whenever I refer... Read More

The Most Courageous People in the World

Who are the most courageous people in the world? Armed services? Coastguards? Astronauts? Firepersons? Explorers? Mountaineers? ??Sports? For us, the most courageous people in the world are those who are committed to discovering... Read More

How to Stay Motivated - Part 1

As a "Motivation Trainer" for over 20 years, I have researched the subject of "Motivation." It is talked about a lot, but not very much is taught or written about it. It seems... Read More

Grit or Grace?

The grit of life is hard to swallow. You make a presentation at the office and someone points out a small mistake. The traffic was terrible that morning and you were late to... Read More

The Magic of Success is Actually a Law Set in Motion. Finding it is Quite Simple

Building Energy Around your Investment!For a century or more men and women from various backgrounds have been availed to a secret in business that has created enormous wealth and satisfaction.However when trying to... Read More

How to Use the Power of Words to Your Benefit

Someone I know maintains that "motivational words are great coming from philosophers, but that's because they're not in the real world." The power of words can be an incredible aid to helping us... Read More

Hold That Elevator!

As Prince, or whatever his name is now put it in one of his songs, "When Life's elevator tries to bring you down go crazy, punch a higher floor!"Well..., This way to the... Read More

Motivation By An Audience

Sooner or later, if you keep working hard in a focused way on a skill or project, you will have an audience even if it is an audience of one.People are naturally attracted... Read More