How to Control Procrastination

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Posted on: 21st Jul 2014

There isn�t one person on the planet who doesn�t procrastinate. Even the most organized and most ambitious of us dawdle and put things off. So, the real issue isn�t whether or not we procrastinate, but why we do it; even though it causes us future stress and discomfort. The reason we procrastinate is because we are too busy, unmotivated, tired, or just plain lazy. You can utilize the best time management program in existence, and still end up procrastinating. The truth is that procrastinating is human nature, and that there is nothing we can do to banish it completely from our lives. However, we can hogtie it so that it doesn�t take us to Detroit when we really wanted to go to Texas.

Allow Yourself One Procrastination Day Each Week
Procrastination is a way of life, and it occurs whether you try to avoid it or not. It�s as natural as being in a foul mood. Just as you can�t avoid the occasional bad mood, neither can you avoid procrastinating from time-to-time. Therefore, the best strategy is to willingly bow to it. However, bowing is not the same as surrendering. When you bow, you are accepting that something has a place in nature, and that you are open to accepting its presence; although unwillingly. Surrendering means declaring defeat and hence relinquishing complete control to it. You are not allowing procrastination to control you. Instead, you are allowing yourself the freedom to accept that it�s a natural part of life. Therefore, allow yourself one day to procrastinate each week. Do so without guilt or sorrow. Use the day to rejuvenate your mind and body, so that you will be more energized the next day.

Whatever You Didn�t Do Yesterday, Do it Today
The reason we don�t like procrastinating is threefold. To begin with, our dislike for procrastination is a childhood learned response. Think of the number of times you were scolded as a youngster about wasting time, and not getting things done. You�ve been trained to associate procrastinating with screwing around or goofing off. Secondly, you�ve experienced the pain of putting things off, and suffering the consequences. Lastly, you�ve been disappointed yourself by others who ended up letting you down by putting thing off. When we leave things to sit for hours or days, we often experience a feeling of guilt, shame, and anxiety. The simple remedy is to give yourself one day to procrastinate, and then do today what you put off doing yesterday. Make it your first project of the day, and work at it until it is completed.

Do a Whole-Day Work-Marathon Once a Week
Another method is to challenge yourself to work non-stop for an entire day. This means that you will push yourself to work all day long without the benefit of breaks (unless for eating and going to the bathroom), rest, or distractions. You will have to be single-minded and stubborn in reaching every objective that you�ve planned for the day. There will be no room for putting anything off, or making excuses for not finishing what you�ve started. Put all of your efforts into the most important projects, and never let up until every task is done. Pick one day out of the week to do your work-marathon, and only begin if you are certain that you can follow through for the entire day. You can choose the maximum number of hours that you can handle. Make sure to choose the number of hours that you can handle. In fact, you may want to choose the standard full-time employment hours to do your work-marathon, and then increase that number over time at your own convenience.

Take a Break in Between Tasks
Unless the day falls on your procrastination or work-marathon day, you should take small breaks in between tasks. The breaks should range between 10 to 15 minutes. Use the time to stretch your legs, have a snack, make a telephone call, or any other relaxing activity. Don�t cheat on any of your breaks. Never take more than 15 minutes per break time. In fact, you should think of a break as a privilege, and not as something that is owed to you. Thinking in this manner will keep you honest and on schedule.

Nap in the Middle of the Day
Your diligence and efficiency will remain intact throughout the day if you take time to nap. As with the previous step, you will rest only on those days that do not fall on your procrastination or work-marathon days. When napping, you should lie down on a flat cushion surface such as a bed, cot, or hammock. Your minimum naptime should be for 30 minutes per day. If you prefer to nap for a longer period, try not to exceed two hours per day. When your naptime ends, go back and resume your work.

Conclusion
When you�ve completed all of your tasks for the day, celebrate. Proudly congratulate yourself on your wins with relaxing activity. Go outside and play. Take a drive to the mall. Take in a movie. Visit a friend. This is the time where you applaud yourself for not only completing your tasks, but also for executing the tactics that organized people use to successfully to control procrastination.

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