Dealing with Procrastination

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Dealing with Procrastination

bk
May 13, 2009
Dealing with Procrastination

“You may delay, but time will not.” – Benjamin Franklin

Procrastination is probably one of the longest words in my dictionary. I used to have problem spelling it; I used to spell it as ‘Procastination’ without the ‘r.’ Not to worry, I am not going to talk about spelling today. I am going to talk about dealing with procrastination.

It is my ‘running day’ today and I should have gone for my run this morning. However, when I woke up this morning, the sky was gloomy with sign of an impending rain. In fact, it was raining in the wee hours around 5.30 am.

So naturally I have load of excuses not to go for the run this morning; the road is still wet and the running shoes will be drenched, I can go for a run in the afternoon or I can go for a run tomorrow morning instead etc. And you guess right, I did not go for the run.

Just about an hour ago, I was reading Death defying stunt in London by CK about his plan to run from work to home today. And after reading it, I shut down my laptop and went for a run at around 1 pm in the afternoon. Don’t worry, no heat stroke; it was a very cloudy day.

I just hate losing to procrastination, especially when I know I can beat it. So thank you CK; somehow your post has given me the much needed ‘push’ for action.

I believe that most of us had moments when procrastination got the better of us and we did not manage to do what we had set out to do for the day. I know it is a lousy feeling – a feeling of not in control.

There were mornings like today when procrastination had gotten the better of me but there were also many mornings when I dealt with procrastination face-on. The outcome? I won and with lots of sweats.

So what are the secrets of dealing with procrastination? Pardon me, there are no secret formula to apply or magic potion to drink. The best way of dealing with procrastination for me and with almost 100% hit rate – take immediate action.

The biggest challenge is getting out of the house. How did I do it?

First of all, I focus on the positive aspects that running always bring me. I have always felt good after every run and have felt more ready to take on other challenges. Not to mention that I manage to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Through focusing on the positive aspects that running always brings me, I build up my mind positively step by step. If needed, you can write it down on a piece of paper all the advantages of doing something that you want to do but keep putting it off. It is however useless if we only write down all the pros.

Secondly, what is most important is to take immediate action – I just put on my t-shirt, running shoes, grab the keys, open the door and out of the house I go. It couldn’t have been more simple. This has always worked for me. Thus the more you procrastinate, the more you need to get into the act of doing. Once you are in the act of doing it, the process should carry you along until you are done.

How about you? How do you deal with your procrastination?

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20 thoughts on “Dealing with Procrastination”

  1. Sherxr

    Really need some inspiration and encouragement lately so I visited your blog.

    I’ve been envying the accomplishments of others too much and started putting this burden on my mind. I want to be perfect. I want to be the best but I am not. So I’m depressed.

    Maybe this has nothing to do with your post. But just wish to say, reading your post help me think clearer.

    Cheers mate!

    Sherxrs last blog post..For the most precious and beautiful woman on earth: My Mother

  7. Symphony of Love Post author

    @ Sher, hey mate, anytime. Come online in MSN sometimes so we can do some catching up. It is inevitable at times that we are drawn into this ‘envying’ mindset especially when our own accomplishments are so far from what others have achieved. I am not any different from you. But the good thing is we consciously know we are doing it and thus we can do something about it. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Still remember that no one is perfect in this world? We can only get better but never perfect.

  8. Webbielady

    What Franlin advised to everyone is really perfect. As they say tme is gold but that is anunderstatement. Life is even more precious than diamond!

    But what can we do? We are humans and subject to pause at times thus procastination happens. ^^

    Webbieladys last blog post..If I am God…

  9. Symphony of Love Post author

    @ alwayswinner, thank you for the award. 🙂

    @ Fitness Diva, you win some, you lose some. We will get better in dealing with it. 🙂

    @ Mom, thank you. 🙂

    Tabitha, yes, I believe that facing it head on is the best way for me.

  10. Symphony of Love Post author

    @ Shu Fen, it is not easy at all. As the saying goes, “There is no shortcut to any place worth going.” And as you said, the best way to deal with procrastination is to voice out and JUST DO IT. We can take little steps each day to make a difference.

    @ Webbielady, yes, time is the only resource that we think we have a lot and one day we may realize how little we have in fact.

  12. Penny

    You’re right – procrastination does often lead to feeling of not having control. I constantly battle with it. But usually I’ll break down the tasks, start with something small. Then somehow it sets off a chain and I’ll achieve something for that day.

    Pennys last blog post..A Walk In the Rain

  15. a fil-am journey

    I think most of us deals with procrastination, and I, myself, is very aware of that. Most of the time, I say, I’ll do it later, I’ll deal with it tomorrow, I’ll do it next time… and blah blah… I realize it’s not good anymore… Whatever it is that should be done now, DO IT NOW, and not put off intentionally, or else…you’ll get used to it…

    Debbie

  16. Symphony of Love Post author

    @ Debbie, those certainly sound very familiar. I believe that most would have mentioned something similar before. The irony is every time we were successful in putting off something, we lost control a small part of ourselves. Whatever that needs to be done, should be done in this moment; now!