7 Ways to Deal with Inertia-Based Procrastination

People commonly use seven phrases as an excuse to procrastinate. Each one of these sentences indicates the inertia trap – we can't be bothered to start the ball rolling. We'd rather avoid the hard work and just stick with whatever we do have rolling even if it's a ball we despise. Here are ways to counter each negative attitude and to turn inertia into action.nn1. I can't be bothered: Don't think about the task itself. Picture the benefits of completing the task. For example, I used to feel really lazy about washing the dishes each day but the desire to have a clean kitchen pushed me out of that attitude.nn2. Why should I? This is your inner teenager rebelling against "the man." Focus on the end-goal. Why do you want to do this task? Show your inner teenager that it's not a random, meaningless task imposed on your poor downtrodden soul. It's actually a good thing that benefits even your inner teenager.nn3. This other thing is so interesting: This is your mind trying to be slippery and sneaky. One way to avoid this form of inertia is to promise yourself that you'll do the more interesting thing later if you work on the current task for a set amount of time.nn4. I've never done it before: New things are scary. We're much happier doing familiar stuff we find comfortable. I'll address fear next post, but in the meantime, you can get over this type of procrastination by getting a pep talk. Find a cheerleader who gets you enthusiastic about the new adventure you're about to embark on.nn5. I don't like change: This one is very closely related to 'I've never done it before'. It's a fear-based excuse. Stretching comfort zones makes most people feel uncomfortable because it forces us out of a state of complacency. Smash this resistance flat with one simple question: How has your current state been working out for you?nn6. I've always done it this way: Now procrastination is just getting desperate, sounding like an oldie talking about the good old days and how he or she had to walk ten miles through the snow to get to school – uphill both ways! Just laugh at this thought and move on.nn7. It looks like a lot of work: I've saved the most difficult one for last. Yes, change often requires a lot of work. Successful people work hard, and habits don't break themselves. However, once you get going and follow through on the task on a regular basis, it will become easier and you'll actually start to miss it if you don't do it. I used to hate doing the dishes because it seemed like so much work each day, and yet now that I'm used to doing them daily, when I don't wash them, I feel cheated of my mini-meditation breaknnFor the next week, pay attention to the words you use and your procrastination habits. If you notice that you regularly say any of the phrases above (or variations thereof), you're letting inertia stop you from moving forward. In the process, if you discover other phrases that you use to keep yourself from starting projects, send them my way. I'd love to know what they are.