TIP OF THE WEEK - November 9

How to Avoid Procrastination

To remedy procrastination, answer these basic questions.

What do you want to do?

    •    What is the final objective and end result?
         (It may be obvious, or it may not )
    •    What are the major steps to get there?
         Don't get too detailed:  think big.

What have you done so far?

    •    Acknowledge that you are already part way,
         even if it is that you are in the thinking phase. 
         The longest journey begins with a first step.

What is your biggest motivation?

    •    Do not concern yourself if your motivation is
         negative!  This is honest and a good beginning.
         However, if your motivation is negative, re-phrase
         and re-work it until it is phrased positively.

What other positive results will flow from achieving your goal?

    •    Identifying these will help you uncover benefits
         that you may be avoiding:
         Dare to dream. List out what stands in your way.
         What is in your power to change? What resources
         outside yourself do you need?  Resources are not
         all physical (i.e. tools and money), and include time,
         people/professionals/elders, even attitude.

What will happen if you don't progress?

    •    It won't hurt to scare yourself a little... Develop your plan,
         list major, realistic steps.  A project is easier when it is
         built in stages; start small; add detail and complexity
         as you achieve and grow.

How much time each will take?

    •    A schedule helps you keep a progress chart and reinforce
         that there are way-stations on your path .  What time of day,
         week, etc. do you dedicate  yourself to work?  This helps
         you develop a new habit of working, build a good work
         environment, and distance distractions.  (It is much easier to
         enjoy your project when distractions are set aside.)

Rewards you will have at each station

    •    Think of rewards and also what you will deny yourself
         until you arrive at each station.

Build in time for review

    •    Find a trusted friend, elder, or expert to help you motivate
         yourself or  monitor progress.

Admit to:

    •    False starts and mistakes as learning experiences.
         They can be more important than successes, and
         give meaning to "experience".
    •    Distractions and escapes.  Do not deny they exist,
         but deny their temptation.
    •    Emotion.  Admit to frustration when things don't
         seem to be going right. Admit that you have had a
         problem, but also that you are doing something
         about it.
    •    Fantasy See yourself succeeding.

Finally, if procrastination is a habit of yours, focus on the
immediate task and project, and build up from there.
Each journey begins with one step.