How Does a Doer Do Away with Procrastination – Here and Now! (Pt. 2 of 3)

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.

Ashleigh Brilliant

People complain about not having enough time to do things. There are just too many things to do.

Many say too many distractions slow them down and they can’t complete their work.

How many people attribute their time management issues to procrastination? Here’s a recent statistic.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Source

The progression in this infogram shows that procrastination has quadrupled over the past 30 years to the present 26% of the population.

Everyone is susceptible to opting for more pleasurable activities even if they are of lesser importance.

It’s just that the do-er manages to get over it and do what he needs to do.

In our last post, we explained the common reasons people procrastinate. If one or more of the reasons apply to you, know this: The reasons we procrastinate are all just mental states. This means you can override them with more positive and productive behavior.

Today’s post focuses on . . .

What the Doer Does to End Procrastination

The doer adapts his mind to getting done. He even tricks himself into moving forward. You, too, can begin to override the tendency to procrastinate by adapting your mind to these three Mental Models.

3 Proven Strategies to Permanently End Procrastination

Mental Model #1: Rest Your Brain – Don’t Overthink!

Often procrastination results from weighing down your brain by over-thinking the project.

Over-thinking is thinking about something too much or too long.

It often goes along with perfectionism. You are cycling and recycling the same thoughts in your mind, round and round to get the perfect plan.

Over-thinking is counter-productive. It creates mental fatigue and delays any type of action. So give it a rest.

Instead of repeatedly thinking about doing something, go with Nike’s immortal slogan: “Just Do It!” — the perfect motto to end procrastination!

I can recall sitting and staring into space, pondering with pen in hand how to begin a report. Just couldn’t come up with those elusive opening words. Then came the great motivator: Deadline pressure. I just started right in writing about what I knew I wanted to communicate. I decided the opening and any other revisions could come later. And that’s exactly what happened.

Try it: Just get going with what you know you can do. The other stuff will come more easily and fall into place as the context for it develops.

This strategy helps in overcoming Fear of Fiasco and Fear of Rejection.

Mental Model #2: Make the Project a Game

Cool mind trick: View your task as a game, not as work.

In a study to determine causes and cures for procrastination —

Researchers provided two groups of chronic procrastinators with the same math puzzle.

They told the first group the puzzle was a cognitive evaluation. However, they told the second group it was meaningless recreation.

During a prep period that preceded puzzle time, only the first group delayed their practice. The second group started preparing right away by playing Tetris puzzle games.

What can we learn from this? Adjust your perspective. See the task as a challenge or a puzzle for fun. When you work with your mind this way, you can achieve remarkable things. You can end procrastination!

In your mind, see it done!

This strategy may help when dealing with Refusal to do something because it is unfair.

Mental Model #3: Planning is Fun: Think Ahead and Write It Out

Are you anxious about the outcome or your task? You can erase uneasiness and any doubts with this tried & true strategy: Create an Action Plan.

Consider preparing your Action Plan on paper rather than on a digital device.

The physical act of writing helps to dissipate the tension and to give you a feeling of control.

We also view things differently when they’re set on paper. Tasks we regarded as formal and tedious appear easier to manage when you write down with exact details. Oh, I just need to do Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 . . .

According to Psychology Today, a good plan to specifies these five things:

1. When you are going to work on your goal

2. Where you are going to do it

3. How you are going do it

4. How long you will do it

5. Your backup plan, in case any of these components falls apart: “If . . ., then I will . . .”

Often people are frustrated with their plans because they require changes and adjustments. That’s okay. That’s life.

And that’s why item #5 is critical to your Action Plan to end procrastination. For example, an unavoidable interruption could curtail the time you estimated for completion of the task. Your backup factors in time for surprise obstacles.

Now you just follow your instructions.

The Takeaway:

Up to now in our Procrastination series, we have focused on the forms of procrastination, the reasons people allow this setback in their lives, and three mental modes to re-orient your mind to moving forward.

Continue now to Part 3 to learn how to use motivation to stop this self-defeating habit. Apply six proven, practical and fun motivational techniques and, in no time, you will be permanently ending procrastination! Don’t wait — Do it now!

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