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Time Management > Overcoming Procrastination > Cure for Procrastination
Warning! Cure for Procrastination Up Ahead!
Is it true?
Is there really a cure for procrastinating?
Well folks, what do you think? (share your views at tackling procrastination)
I give myself short goals, or a specific timeline to follow, when trying to get started on things. For example, I will have the dishes running by 12:25, and have the products to start cleaning the bathroom by 12:30, and have the toilet done by 12:45, etc. This way, I can break down my tasks into specific, easily attainable tasks, and can also take short breaks if I finish with one task quickly and won't get as mentally tired. - Brenda: Teacher
How to Avoid Procrastination & Never Procrastinate Again
Well that is one big claim, isn't it!
My best cure for procrastination, is to convince myself that procrastinating would be lame. A good procrastinator, is skilled at this mental acrobat, of finding any reason to not do something and make it seem like a perfectly legitimate reason. I simply use my procrastination abilities in a reversed fashion. - Amanda: Work part time at an insurance agency.
My Solution Is: Do What You Love, and Cut Tasks You Don't Like Out of Your Life
Yes, I realize that that has to be the most annoying piece of advise ever!! And not everyone can realistically do it, but you can make your life as close to this as possible. What things can you do to "do what you love", and eliminate tasks you don't like?
Be brutal and cut any task that has been hanging around like a bad smell that is not absolutely necessary. (examples of necessary, tax return, file insurance claim, pay bills) This is a lot harder than it sounds, people have emotional attachment to to-do lists I have found... but trust me you will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
Outsource the remaining dreaded (but absolutely necessary) tasks. Outsource to who? Delegate a family member to be in charge of bills or pay someone to do your book-keeping. Or you could look into outsourcing overseas. Which is not just for big companies - I used Replace Myself when I hired my first overseas employee, and she is a valuable part of making my business run.
Replace Myself is a service that helps you to hire employees from the Philippines and gives you tips on who to hire and how to go about the whole process. So it is possible to hire a fluent English speaking personal assistant, that can help you with anything that doesn't require their personal presence. (So anything that can be done via the internet, over the phone or by fax machine.)
Start making steps to a job, business or career (your word of choice!) that you would really enjoy. Something that gets you out of bed in the morning! I did this a while ago. I know work for myself online - and I love my work. I enjoy it, I have a sense of satisfaction and achievement... And I love that what I do helps people (in case you are wondering, Taming Time along with a few other websites is how I make my living, curious how a website giving away free information makes money?)
My best cure for procrastination is to set a mental time goal for myself by which I must start acting on the task at hand. I also set my cell phone alarm as a signal to get started. - Colin: Higher Education Administrator
Admittedly I can still struggle with procrastination in other areas of my life from time to time. But things are much improved! Writing this series of procrastination articles has really helped me find my own cure for procrastination - that works for me!
Cure for Procrastination to Overcoming Procrastination
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