This is what it looks like to me. I am almost there! Procrastination Conquered!
I promised updates on my progress with overcoming procrastination. I have certainly made great strides yet I am not able to leave it behind entirely. I don’t think I am the only one! Here is how my strategy has evolved.
Time management was something I was seriously lacking in. I had never studied it or given it any serious attention. I have started to focus on time management skills. It is definitely helping so I will share the process.
I have begun scheduling my day, literally hour by hour. This at first seemed like a totally restrictive idea and completely in opposition to my number one goal of freedom right?
Well here is the thing.
If I am the one making the schedule how am I any less free?
Perspective is everything! When I realized that making lists and scheduling my time was an effective procrastination slayer I changed my way of thinking about it. Procrastination has been my number one drawback or obstacle in creating the future I intend. I have great ideas and plans that I never follow through on.
It isn’t a lack of will power it is a procrastination attack!
This attack is really an episode of self doubt, a dip into the lake of victimhood and excuses. I couldn’t see that before, I would instead use my lack of attaining a specific goal as internal proof of my inability to achieve something. That was followed by my laying down and QUITTING. The only guaranteed way to fail is to quit. I have that mastered!
I learned a powerful lesson about agreements and trusting myself at The Gift Seminar put on by Jay Fiset. It boils down to my ability to renegotiate with myself at any time. The secret for me has been to;
- Allow myself enough time to complete the task I add to my to-do list.
- Choose to renegotiate BEFORE I berate myself for failing to meet the goal!
Of course I first had to be honest about How, When, Where and Why I procrastinate and explore the root of it. I had to admit to myself that most of the things I do in a day are just that, things. Busy work to make it look like I am doing something when in fact;
I am actively engaging in a process that PREVENTS me from accomplishing my goals.
In other words I found myself doing it ALL THE TIME! I needed a tool that would help me stop this pattern in my life. I decided to take a few skills tests regarding time management.
I had the definition of freedom mixed in with not doing anything.
This meant that if someone or something was managing my time I was no longer free. The truth is more like this;
Freedom is doing everything you ever dreamed of doing.
It is discovering the very essence of your being and becoming ll that you are with no holding back. Freedom is not passive it is action and adventure. This confusion has left me motionless out of a misunderstanding within myself. I am writing about this very personal struggle to help others gain some new perspectives on procrastination. It is not impossible to overcome. I know I am making tremendous progress in my own life. I am taking action now and moving towards my goals instead of chasing my tail and whining about how hard life is.
I am using this daily schedule to get myself back on track when I realize I am ‘procrastinating’ again. I look to see what I said I would be doing, thats all it takes. I can either do it or renegotiate and change the schedule. Either way it puts me back in charge of my day and delivers a death blow to the procrastination habit!
Here is how I started my time management program. I took a simple quiz to discover where I need help. This is a good Quiz for starters.
I took a quiz for students assessing study habits. Here were my results:
Setting goals 3
Breaking down tasks into steps 0
Prioritising 4
Using Lists 2
Persevering when things get difficult 4
Organising your work and meeting deadlines 8
Revising for examinations 2
Avoiding procrastination 3
Score 0-15 I scored 3.25! That leaves a little room for improvement.
Notice that I scored a zero on breaking tasks down into steps. I have been working hard on this and the results from this one tiny piece are astounding! I’ll share them next time.
