How to Stop Procrastinating and Achieve Success
Don't Let Delay Tactics Prevent You from Taking Action on Goals
Oct 27, 2009
How many people long to live a better life, change careers, embark on an exciting adventure, or create a new personal habit, only to end up putting it off, time and time again? Too many. As people learn how to stop procrastinating and take action on their goals and dreams, they achieve success instead of disappointment. Each person must look at their unique delay tactics and the underlying fears in order to overcome procrastination.
Identify Delay Tactics
Each person has their own way of delaying what needs to be done in order to achieve success. It might be a small goal such as de-cluttering the house or a life long dream of starting a business, but the delay tactics are similar. For some, being too busy is the mantra they repeat, for others laziness is a comfortable excuse. And then there are the creative types who constantly have an array of obstacles and crisis that keep popping up to prevent them from achieving success.
The first step to stop procrastinating is to be honest and notice what delay tactics have been employed. Reflect over the past to see what reasons, excuses and obstacles prevented important steps from being taken and goals from being achieved.
What Underlies Procrastination
Underneath the reasons, excuses and obstacles that prevent a person from taking action, is a layer of fear and uncertainty. Once a person stops blaming busyness, laziness or outside circumstances for their lack of success, they can shine a light on fear and trepidation and move past it.
Some people are afraid of failure while some are afraid of success. Some are overwhelmed by all the steps involved in achieving their goals, and others are confused about where to start. It helps to identify what the fear is really about. Often fear is overrated and ridiculous when looked at more closely. Try these three steps to identify the source of fear.
- Imagine taking steps towards a desired goal and notice what fears and concerns pop up along the way.
- Notice where the most fear arises. Is it at the beginning – is it difficult to take the first step? Is it in the middle, with a tendency to freeze up? Or is it near the end when you are just about to reach the goal?
- What are the messages and limiting beliefs associated with the fears? Whose voice are they? Where do they come from?
Overcome Procrastination by Taking Action
Once the delay tactics, underlying fears, associated messages and limiting beliefs have been identified, a person can do several things to move past these and take action to achieve their dreams and goals.
- Envision success daily. If a person spends more time envisioning success than imaging fears they will have the enthusiasm and courage to take the required steps. Fear blocks movement, enthusiasm propels movement.
- Chunk tasks down. Most goals have several steps involved. If a person looks at all the steps at once, it can be overwhelming. When a person looks at one step at a time, it becomes simpler. Plus, each step taken increases confidence which makes the next step easier to take. Looking at future steps is intimidating; focusing on the next step is easy. Make a list of steps and focus on one at a time and before you know it, the goal will be reached.
- Write down steps. Commit to achieving each step in a certain time period. Write it down on a to-do list or a calendar and treat it like an important appointment.
- Be aware of blocks. Recognize where the biggest blocks and fears usually happen along the path – near the beginning, middle or end and be aware of them as they arise. As fear surfaces, notice the limiting message or belief, recognize the lie in it, and let it go.
- Stay inspired and confident. When fear or doubt lingers, do what you need to feel re-inspired and confident to take another step. It might mean hiring a life coach, calling a supportive friend, reading an inspiring book, or repeating positive affirmations. Do whatever it takes to find courage.
Procrastination doesn't have to be the biggest block to success. In fact, with awareness, it can help you develop the strength and skills to take action and achieve success with every goal.
For related articles, read Overcome Fear with Courage as well as Face Fear to Learn Life Lessons.
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