Avoid Procrastination Stations
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. It’s that famous saying we all know only too well, but procrastination is a major factor in hindering us from reaching our true potential. Britons spend almost four hours every day delaying tasks they should be doing. From putting off doing that piece of work with the encroaching deadline, to watching the laundry pile grow or deciding it won’t hurt to skip that workout class you booked on to. Whiling away the hours is something we’re all guilty of from time to time.
Bach™ Original Flower Remedies has teamed up with leading London life coach, Sophia Davis, to offer some top tips and advice on putting paid to procrastination, so that you can get the job done today rather than putting it off until tomorrow.
1– Pre-empt your potential pitfalls. Become aware of the triggers that lead you to procrastinate. Do you run away from boredom or failure, or do you move away from something that appears too easy or too hard? Know what your patterns are, and find ways to support yourself through them. For example, if it feels too complicated, ask for help. If it feels boring, find ways to make it more interesting.
2– See procrastination for what it is – a pattern of behaviour, a habit to put things off. Once you see it for what it is, you have a choice to choose a different behaviour. Try sourcing an accountability buddy – someone you can speak to about your tasks and who you can share your successes with when you’ve completed something. We don’t like letting other people down, so you’ll feel more obliged to get on with things promptly if you know you’ve got to report back to your friend/colleague.
3– Give your tasks a positive meaning. As human beings, we create meanings without even realising we are doing it. Most of the time, if we procrastinate, we are creating negative meanings and thoughts. For example, ‘I know I’ll be bored with this task’. Make getting the job done mean that you will feel good about yourself afterwards. Set up time to treat yourself once you’ve finished your tasks for the day. That way you’ll be provided with an incentive to succeed.
4– Look at your beliefs. Do you believe that you are a person who procrastinates? Sounds simple, but if you associate it with your identity, it will be very hard to let go of. Try telling yourself that you are a person who gets stuff done, and it will start to reflect in your outside world. Use affirmations to begin reprogramming your mind. Statements like ‘I get all my tasks done quickly and easily’, ‘I finish everything I start’, ‘I approach all my tasks with ease and enjoyment’ will help you to begin changing any subconscious beliefs that are sabotaging you.
5– Making a list of all of the things you need to get done, putting them in order of priority and then making a strict rule with yourself to do them in order, often helps to avoid what you are putting off. If you don’t allow yourself to add anything to the list until it’s finished, you will naturally get around to doing everything. If you tick them off as you go along, it will also help you to see your achievements as you go.
6– Be kind to yourself with Bach Original Flower Remedy Elm (support) and don’t get overwhelmed. Put your problems into perspective and take on only what you feel you can cope with.
- Bach Original Flower Remedies are available from Holland & Barrett, most independent pharmacies, health food stores or www.amazon.co.uk, RRP £6.99. For more information, visit www.bachremedies.co.uk.
