Procrastination, What a Waste of Time!

Turn the tables on time wasting, needless distractions and excuses which prevent you from doing what you need to do. Learn a simple technique to rev up enthusiasm and passion for your project, and convince your mind to "git 'er done!" Your productive behavior follows.

Mark Twain said: "Never put off 'til tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow."

We all know this feeling. "I'll do it later." Procrastination. Sometimes you get stuck in a mental loop: the delaying, dawdling, and debating loop. Nothing happens. No forward motion. You discover a multitude of distractions, excuses, and side trips, things to do FIRST before you can do what you need to do...if you get to it at all! This is very unproductive.

Wouldn't it be nice to have that motivation, that passion to succeed, to be willing and eager to take the steps necessary to reach your goals? Wouldn't it be nice to strike a perfect balance between work and play? You can!

Here are a few simple mind tips to get yourself into the flow of your project, whatever its nature, whether it's starting your own business, or writing an essay such as this, or cleaning out that closet, starting an exercise program, or...?

That's the first step. Identify what it is you want to do, that you've been putting off. Or perhaps it's something you want to finish, something you have become stalled on. What is it?

This next step is fun! Ramp up your good feelings and motivation for the project with this simple time travel technique: Think about how fantastic you'll feel when it's done. Fast forward to the end of the task or goal in your mind, the successful, perfect completion of your task. And bask in all the good feelings generated and that sense of accomplishment. How great does that feel now that it's all done, all taken care of, and it came together perfectly? Feel that now. How does having accomplished your goal improve your situation, your life? Success! Feel it, see it, taste it, hear it... Take those positive feelings of success into the next steps with you.

Now, you're excited about your project, because you know how good it's going to feel! Still wondering about how to proceed? Think about who can help. What do you need to know to accomplish this? If you're treading in unfamiliar waters, and if you know someone who has already done this thing--pick their brains. Ask for help! That's such a simple idea, and so powerful. Also, consulting the "hive mind" is a wonderful thing, and with the internet, information on "how to" do anything and everything is abundant! Don't spend too much time on this, however, as the goal is movement, not research. Besides, you don't want to wait, you're revved up!

Now, you have your goal, you understand your goal, you're excited about your goal. Break it down into manageable chunks of activity in your mind or on paper. The Tao says: "The longest journey begins with but a single step." That is so true. What is one concrete thing you can do RIGHT NOW to begin your project? And do it!!

This is the most crucial and obvious part!! Step in. Begin. As magical Mary Poppins tells the children in her care about housework: "Once begun, it's easily done." That's right! Nike says so, too. "Just do it." Here's what happens inside your mind when you actually begin a project: your unconscious mind sees that you're serious, that it is time to get on board and buckle down. Time to fly! Time to take off! So it does! Your unconscious mind is the seat of your power and creativity, and it becomes active now in a way that makes your project flow easily!

Just give these simple steps a whirl and amaze yourself with how productive you become! Procrastination is a waste of time, but you won't be wasting yours! You'll be effectively and energizedly getting it done!