Motivation Information

The Top 10 Ways to Overcome Procrastination


When a person is bored or uninterested, certain tasks and projects can seem like torture! This feeling usually leads to procrastination, and procrastination often leads to guilt. Here are some practical ways to avoid these situations and overcome procrastination:

1. Recharge Daily

Be sure to get enough sleep and rest each day so that you have the necessary energy you need to accomplish your tasks.

2. Get a Friend Involved

It's harder to procrastinate when another person is involved. If you have a task you aren't looking forward to, invite a friend over to help you out. If you have errands to run, find a buddy who you can run errands with.

3. Reward Yourself

You're much more likely to complete that boring task if there is a dinner out or a new CD waiting for you when (and only when) the task is complete.

4. Do Things in Pieces

Procrastination often comes from feelings of overwhelm. Break tasks, even small ones, into steps so that they are manageable and provide you with a sense of direction.

5. Use Music

Turn on some fun and upbeat music and let it pump you up! 80s music and showtunes are often great pick-me-ups that will give you needed energy to tackle your tasks.

6. Don't Be Afraid to do 2 Things at Once

Don't be afraid to balance routine or monotonous tasks with something that is more likely to hold your interest. You can pay bills while you watch TV, or talk on the phone while cleaning up the house.

7. Delegate

Do you find yourself procrastinating on chores at home like cleaning and laundry? Or maybe paperwork at the office? Delegate them! Kids, cleaning people, laundry services, administrative assistants and more are all available to take some of those boring tasks off your list and free up your time for the stuff you'd rather be doing.

8. Prioritize

Perhaps you're procrastinating on a task because it's really not that important. Maybe you'd love to re-organize your book shelves, but never get around to it. If it sounds like a good idea but in the end it's really not that important to you, don't let it hang over your head.

9. Get in Touch with the End Result

Before you begin a task or project that has high procrastination potential, get in touch with the outcome. When the task is finished, what will that mean to you? What will be better in life as a result?

10. Just Do It!!

Don't think about it too much, just jump in and get it done!

© Copyright 2004

About The Author

Jennifer Koretsky is an ADD Management Coach who helps adults learn how to manage their ADD and move forward in life. She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, and skill-building programs. Her work has been featured in various media, including The New York Times Magazine and The London Times. Subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, by visiting http://www.ADDmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm.

addmanagement@addmanagement.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Former U of I hoops stars could provide some motivation
Bloomington Pantagraph,  USA - 17 hours ago
By Mark Tupper CHAMPAIGN — If the Illini basketball team needs any extra motivation for Saturday’s game against Indiana, coach Bruce Weber hopes it’s the ...


SkySports

Defoe reveals Spurs motivation
The Press Association - 10 hours ago
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has credited Harry Redknapp and the club's fans as the key reasons for his return to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth. ...
Defoe fired by Tottenham ambition Independent
all 2,124 news articles


Motivation goal-setting seminar Jan. 10
Caldwell Progress, NJ - Jan 8, 2009
Frank Williams will moderate a one- day motivational goal-setting seminar on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Court, Parsippany. ...


SkySports

Lewis never lacks for motivation against Titans
My Tennessean.com, TN - Jan 7, 2009
And if Lewis needed any more motivation, he can think back to Week 5 when the Titans went to Baltimore and won 13-10 — in a game the Ravens limited ...
Baltimore using history as motivation Niagara Falls Review
all 1,389 news articles


New Sampdoria Recruit Raggi Has 'Great Motivation'
Goal.com, Switzerland - 21 hours ago
"I have great motivation," he was quoted as saying by Calciomercato. "Samp is the perfect place for my revival." The defender could not put his finger on ...


Washington Post

Heisman jinx continues with Bradford
SBR Forum, Costa Rica - 10 hours ago
"I try to use anything I can as motivation," Tebow said. "I think every player does. You try to use that, everything they said, just everything as ...
Tebow's been waiting for this moment since he was a little kid Orlando Sentinel
10 Reasons Oklahoma/Florida will win ESPN
Gators post game quotes GatorCountry.com
USA Today - Tampa Tribune
all 6,651 news articles


Motivational tools have changed for area coaches
Bloomington Pantagraph,  USA - Jan 7, 2009
By Randy Reinhardt The motivational powers of fear are immense. As a football player at Illinois Wesleyan, Dennie Bridges and his Titan teammates discovered ...


You Can't Afford to Break This Resolution
Motley Fool - Jan 8, 2009
But they don't expand their facilities to accommodate all those new members, because they know that motivation usually fades fast. Why? ...


Fear major motivation for Mason
London Free Press, Canada - Jan 7, 2009
By MORRIS DALLA COSTA, FREE PRESS SPORTS COLUMNIST The superlatives are flying faster and harder than shots during a Detroit Red Wings power play. ...


Los Angeles Times

Ravens use an old motivational ploy: lack of respect
Los Angeles Times, CA - Jan 5, 2009
Respect is a motivational tactic as old as sport itself. Coaches and players portray themselves as unwanted, overlooked and underpraised. ...

Motivation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006