How to escape procrastination

~Hot to do what you put your mind to

I think that everyone goes through the process of setting their minds to do something, but never actually getting around to doing it. Somehow, watching that TV series, staying on YouTube or doing something that has nothing to do whatsoever with our desire, becomes more relevant. This is called procrastination.

procrastination

prə(ʊ)ˌkrastɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

1. the action of delaying or postponing something.

2. Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished. Sometimes, procrastination takes place until the "last minute" before a deadline.

Maybe like me, you have made the definitive decision to change this about yourself more times than you can count. Yet you never respected your own decision (because you procrastinated again - procrastinception).

I realized that this was the thing stopping me to fulfill my wishes. Afterwards I would feel hopeless because I didn’t accomplish what I had set my mind to.

I am going to describe the process I went through to get rid of it.

It actually happened when I made this site. This site didn’t come to be by me saying “I am going to make a site right now!” and actually doing it. I, too, followed these 3 steps:

---

1. Induce yourself with the idea that other activities are boring

I would often find myself doing other things than what I was supposed to do. It was even to the point where what I was doing wasn't even entertaining anymore. I was just postponing what I was supposed to do by finding things to fill my time with. But then I realized that, even though I was watching a TV series that I was supposed to like, I was actually very bored.

I think that the first step to be taken when faced with procrastination is trying to convince yourself that what you are doing isn't actually fun. Because if you think about it, it actually isn't! And think about the fact that what you are doing isn't bringing you any useful information. You're just sitting and watching something... well, now... that is pretty boring compared to doing that thing that you thought of doing a long time ago! Not only is your desire fun to do, but it will also bring you satisfaction, not like watching an entire season in a day and feeling worthless at the end of the day.

2. Make a list

The next thing you could do to ensure that your new mentality sticks, is to make a list of things you want to do. Don't start by filling your entire days with things to do. Maybe just 1-2 things. But when your are done with them, you will automatically feel like doing more. Because what do you know? It was actually fun checking that thing off your list!

Here's what my list of the week looks like:

My weekly list

What is important about this list is that you place it somewhere you can always see it and that you make it look the way you like it - this way it will always catch your eye. Just remember to always tick the box and, with time, it will become the only thing you look forward to!

3. Constantly think of how good you will feel afterwards

Oh, you want to work-out? Think how better you will feel afterwards! You want to paint something? It will look so nice on your wall and you will always think "Hey, I made that!" when you look at it. You want to make music, learn something new or become better at something you already knew how to do? Imagine the fulfillment you will feel at the end of the day, when you place your head on your pillow and think about what you did today: "Today I did something that I am really proud of!".

How else can you get that feeling, if not by erasing procrastination from your life?

---

I'm not saying that this is the guaranteed way for you to get rid of procrastination. It is what worked for me. Maybe you need to adjust it to your needs, in order for it to work on you. But I think that, if you're struggling with this and have no idea what to do about it, these 3 steps are worth trying out. After all, what do you have to lose? Maybe actually doing what you put your mind to? Hmm...

The point is you have to start and you have to start now. It goes like YOLO, right?