Overcoming Procrastination

Does this sound familiar? You wake up in the morning, have your coffee, read your list of things to do today, and then go back to bed. Is it a brief moment of procrastination, or a more serious problem? If it occurs more than once, it’s an issue you need to address. However, people procrastinate for a variety of reasons, such as fear of failing or succeeding; poor organizational skills; and sometimes, a lack of self-esteem. Let’s explore these areas and offer a few easy tips to overcome them.

Fear of Failing or Succeeding

If you fall into this category, there are certain things you can do to help you understand your resistance. Ask yourself what you’re most afraid of: the task, the requirements needed to fulfill the task, the outcome, or the possibility of failure. Perhaps it goes even deeper—maybe you’re afraid you will succeed. Most often, there is a tendency to sabotage something because in succeeding, you will meet the high expectation others have about you and your work. Thus, more pressure will be placed upon you down the line.

Fear of rejection can be another cause for clinging to procrastination. This may originate from low self-esteem or a lingering uncertainty within your own mind. It can also come from a past rejection that has resurfaced in response to a new task. Don’t place so much importance on what others think; confidence in your own abilities is the key to overcoming rejection. You may feel a slight twinge, but if you have faith in yourself and remember who you are, you’ll be able to brush off rejection from others.

Organizational Skills: Create a Small List

Instead of pressuring yourself by including twenty or more things to do, create small lists of five things at a time. Managing your life in this way will make it easier for you to complete the tasks, leaving you with a feeling of accomplishment. Do not allow anyone or anything to overpower you, your life, or your achievements.

Lack of Self-Esteem and Motivation

Lack of self-esteem prevents you from completing even the easiest tasks. Why? Either because you do not feel you are worthy of the challenge, or because you feel you are not good enough to complete it. Motivation is a good place to begin. Start with an easy task first, and then gradually work your way up to full completion. Your confidence will build, you will feel more positive about what you can accomplish, and you will be less likely to avoid the next task on your list.

Lift the Weight off Your Shoulders

Here is an analogy that may help you. Food shopping requires a list, correct? Each time a product is placed in the shopping cart, you cross it off the list. Well, following the same procedure with other tasks in your life will lift the weight off your shoulders, and your burdens will disappear. The secret is not to overload your mind with tasks that neither you nor anyone else can handle. Take it one step at a time. Remember, no one is testing you; there is no time clock. There is no pressure.