4 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done

Despite all our good intentions, procrastination is a major flaw in human behavior.
Everyone procrastinates from time to time. Sometimes it’s the small things, but sometimes it’s more important things that will have a significant impact on our lives. We still manage to undermine our own success by failing action.
People can come up with many creative reasons why “now isn’t the right time”.
We are too busy, too broke and too stressed. It’s too risky, it’s too uncertain. We are too inexperienced, too young, too old, and too disruptive. Sometimes, these reasons are valid. Sometimes, however, these excuses are valid.
Procrastination is insidious. You are less likely to take action the longer you wait. If you don’t pay attention, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and before you know it you are the world’s greatest procrastinator.
Today is the day to stop procrastinating. These 4 ways to stop procrastinating are a way to change your “someday” thinking.
#1 Be truthful
The first and most difficult step is to be honest with yourself about the things you procrastinate over. Recognize what it is and call it out. Then, shine a bright light over it.
It’s not worth sweeping it under the rug and hoping it will go away. It will not go away. Fact. It’s fact.
#2 What is your motivation?
It’s not a matter if you have the ability to be a catalyst for change or get things done. It’s a matter if you are motivated. Motivation is based on either the avoidance or the gaining pleasure of doing what you love.
If you find yourself procrastinating it’s because the pleasure it will bring you is not enough to motivate you to do it. Until one of these levers activates, you’ll be drifting in ‘no-man’s land’.
Most people base their decisions on the prevention of pain. In other words, there is no need to take action if there is no pain. For example, if my tooth ache is not getting better, I will put off going to the dentist.
Because the problem has ‘kinda’ gone away, I won’t have to have that difficult conversation. Because today was an OK day, I won’t quit.
While pain is often the catalyst for action and pleasure is the continuation, enjoyment is what motivates us to take action. If you have a strong WHY, you will stop looking at the fence and realize it’s time for you to look at the opportunity or task before you and find the good in it.
A compelling WHY will be the best reason to do this.
#3 Adopt a spirit of action
Set a clear goal and place a stake in the ground when deciding your timescales and your plan for getting there. It doesn’t need to be perfect, and it most likely won’t be.
People who are successful don’t waste their time reviewing, tweaking, and perfecting their plans or analysing them from every angle. They don’t suffer from paralysis through analysis.
They are able to take action. The individual who has a mindset and attitude that encourages action is more ‘Ready-Fire-Aim – Fire’ than the traditional approach of “Ready-Aim – Fire”.
Do one thing that you have been putting off and get it done today. Do it now, no matter what it is that you have been putting off. It will feel like you have lifted a lot of weight off your shoulders.
#4 Recognize your ability blip and prepare for it
An ability blip is a decrease in performance that you experience when you learn a new skill, approach, or way of thinking that will produce better results. It is important to recognize it and be aware of it. Be prepared to keep your cool and persevere through it.
Many people don’t know about the ability to blip, which can lead to frustration when trying to do something new.