Are you one of the millions of procrastinators in the world?
Do you have trouble getting shit done? Are you constantly putting off even the smallest tasks til the last minute, making mountains out of molehills? If you’re one of the many people who struggle with procrastination, I’m here to tell you: You’re NOT alone! The ironic thing about this article is, I was supposed to post it over a month ago. But hey, better late than never, sometimes, right? What if I told you I got that good shit that’ll give you even more of a satisfying rush than completing several tasks at the last minute like so many of us do?
In this article I’ll be covering:
⦁ The benefits of eliminating procrastination!
⦁ Why the hell do we procrastinate in the first place?
⦁ The 4 steps to ditch your disgusting procrastination habit FOR GOOD!
The benefits of eliminating procrastination:
These are just a few of the perks that go hand-in-hand with giving up procrastination. Over time, you’ll discover the transformative powers behind taking control of your fucking life and showing the world who’s boss! One task at a time, of course!
⦁ You’ll feel more accomplished, which will boost your confidence and self-esteem, motivating you to get even MORE done!
⦁ It’ll help you feel more in control of your life.
⦁ Allow you to live in the moment instead of thinking about what you should be doing:
For example: When I spend time with my daughter these days, I don’t constantly think about all the work I didn’t get done that day. I’m FINALLY being more present with her and cherishing our time together. This is a HUGE perk of getting rid of procrastination.
⦁ You’ll have guilt-free leisure time instead of spoiling it with feelings of guilt and anxiety among other shitty emotions that come along with procrastinating.
⦁ You can set a good example for your children or the young people in your life. Remember, they’re like sponges! They see what we do, and eventually, they may copy some of our actions.
Why the hell do we procrastinate in the first place?!
1.) Procrastination is a STRESS response!
Think about it: You’re going through all the shit you have to get done today and realize that you barely have time to breathe, let alone have any downtime for yourself. So, instead of writing down each big project and breaking it down into doable steps, you make excuses or indulge in less important tasks such as doing the few dishes in the sink or washing a small load of laundry. Then, before you know it, another day goes by without you getting the important shit done.
2.) Procrastination gives us instant gratification.
Have you ever realized the instant relief you feel after telling yourself, “Ah, I’ll just do that tomorrow?” Believe it or not, every time you do this, you give yourself a shot of dopamine by avoiding your responsibilities. Procrastination can become a type of addiction for some of us.
What a buzzkill.
3.) You enjoy the rush of putting things off til’ the last minute and working under pressure.
What?! Why would anyone in their right mind do this to themselves? Sounds hella stressful, doesn’t it? That’s because it IS! Some people thrive under pressure, turning their anxiety into a productive tool of sorts. I’m not knocking it! The sad truth is, I can still be one of these freaks of nature at times.
FINALLY, HERE ARE THE 4 STEPS TO ELIMINATE PROCRASTINATION FOR GOOD!
1.) Do what you DON’T wanna do FIRST!
Make a list of everything you’ve got to get done today and get the worst shit done FIRST! Pretty simple, right? Easier said than done for chronic procrastinators.
2.) Follow the 5-second rule!
No, I’m not referring to the acceptable amount of time you’re allowed to eat food after you’ve dropped it on the ground. The 5-second rule is something I learned from Mel Robins, the most booked female inspirational speaker in the U.S.!
Here’s how it works:
– Whenever you start to talk yourself out of doing something, STOP!
– Count down from 5 and don’t give yourself time to overthink it, just get whatever task it is DONE!
Sidenote: this technique also works for eliminating intrusive and negative thoughts. Easier said than done at times, I’m well aware. But, I do find that this trick does work from time to time! If you find yourself thinking some dumb shit, just:
– STOP!
– Count down from 5
– Re-direct your thoughts to something more positive and deliberate!
3.) The 5-minute rule!
This goes hand-in-hand with the 5-second rule!
– After you’ve counted down from 5, sit down and work for 5 minutes on whatever task you didn’t feel like doing. Remember NOT to give yourself time to overthink!
That’s it! Tell yourself that you’ll only work on this task for 5 lousy minutes and chances are, you’ll end up working much longer. If you don’t work any longer than 5 minutes? Big deal! At least you’ve done SOMETHING, which is a hell of a lot better than doing NOTHING! This way, you’ll complete whatever task it is sometime this century!
SUMMARY:
The easiest way to kick your procrastination habit to the curb is to follow these insanely simple steps and remember: DON’T OVERTHINK IT!
– Get what you don’t want to do done first!
– Use the 5-second rule, so you won’t talk yourself out of getting shit done!
– Then, use the 5-minute rule and sit for at least 5 lousy minutes to start working on whatever task you gotta do.
– This way, it’ll make even the shittiest of tasks seem a bit more doable and less overwhelming!
Once you get in the groove of not procrastinating, you’ll start feeling much better about yourself. I can tell you from personal experience that not procrastinating takes a lot of self-discipline but it’s so worth it in the long run. Let me know how these tips do or don’t help you in the comments, or feel free to reach out to me directly at: marilynn@marilynnmonroe.com!