Blog Post

When was the last time you put off doing something that you said you would do? Do you drag your feet when it comes to taking certain action or completing some tasks eg. public speaking, writing articles or reports, phone calls, paperwork, making a business decision, etc.? Would you like to stop procrastinating and, instead, be motivated to take action?

The Cost of Procrastination

Some people have mastered the art of putting off doing certain tasks, despite knowing that they will be worse off for the delay. Research has shown that around 15% to 20% of adults regularly put off activities that would be better done right away; around 40% of people have experienced a financial loss as a result of procrastination; and procrastinators have higher stress levels and more severe health problems than people who act right away.

3 Ways to Stop Procrastinating

There are at least 3 ways you can now get motivated and stop procrastinating. In part 1 of this blog, you will find the first one and the remaining two in part 2 of this blog.

1. Is it what you really want?

Think about the activity you have been putting off and ask yourself: “Is the activity aligned with your life purpose, business vision and goals? Will it bring you closer to your purpose/vision/goals or steer you in another direction?” By asking yourself these questions you may find that the activity is not going to help you achieve what you want and you have been putting it off for the right reason. It is important to then act on that insight.

If the activity is aligned with your purpose/vision/goals, perhaps you needed to see the fit with the big picture before you were motivated enough to do it! When we do things without a big picture context, we can feel unmotivated, see no real reason or benefit for doing it. Without a clear big picture to give us direction, we can more easily be distracted and procrastinate.

Once you are clear about the big picture, then ensure that you have clear goals with clear commitments and timeframes to help you to achieve your purpose and vision. Ensure that your goals are clear and specific enough, can be measured, are achievable and realistic, create win-wins for all concerned and have a specific timeframe.

People with vague goals are almost as unmotivated as those without any goals at all! Research at Hofstra University demonstrates that procrastinators who had clear intentions and specific commitments to a time were eight times as likely to follow through on the commitment than those without them.

Look out for part 2 of this blog for the remaining two ways to stop procrastinating.

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