Painlessly Overcome Procrastination Foot-dragging And Writer S Block

Painlessly Overcome Procrastination, Foot-dragging And Writer's Block

Summary: When procrastination nags at you, you need some way to convince yourself to get moving right now. Try these five steps when youre delaying on a consequential project:

. Articulate what exactly you are doing or not doing, in place of the label "procrastination."

Example: I just cant get started. Or: I keep quitting halfway.

The all-purpose label "procrastination" isnt as illuminating as a more specific description of your problem.

Get the medicine for writer's ...

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Article Body: When procrastination nags at you, you need some way to convince yourself to get moving right now. Try these five steps when youre delaying on a consequential project:

. Articulate what exactly you are doing or not doing, in place of the label "procrastination."

Example: I just cant get started. Or: I keep quitting halfway.

The all-purpose label "procrastination" isnt as illuminating as a more specific description of your problem.

Get the medicine for writer's block that gets you writing quickly, easily, consistently and well, and that you'll enjoy "taking" again and again.

. Ask yourself, "What could I possibly be afraid of here?"

Perhaps: Fear of talking with strangers; Fear of ridicule; Not knowing what youll do once you finish.

Unacknowledged fears are the # cause of continually postponed projects. Just naming the fear often enables you to ignore or overcome it.

. Ask yourself, "Do I really, wholeheartedly want to get this thing done?"

Choices: Yes; No; or Maybe.

Ambivalence is the second major cause of procrastination. If you resent having to do something, or arent sure its the best course of action, recognizing hesitations allows you to make a deliberate choice of whether or not to go ahead.

. Brainstorm ways to get the task done that would be fun for you.

For instance: Invite friends over for a most-hated-task party; do your exercise walking at a favorite place; turn music on and dance while cleaning up.

Who said your task has to be unpleasant? With a little imagination, you can re-engineer it so youll have more enjoyment getting it done.

. Take some step immediately toward completion every time you find yourself thinking about the task you have the problem with.

Do something small right now! Make a phone call; collect your tax records; find the supplies you need.

By taking advantage of the energy of the moment, you make progress.