Freedom From Procrastination

Here is a universal truth: No success is every achieved without action. This is a statement that needs to be implanted firmly in your mind. Too many seem to believe that success is a matter of luck. However, few realize the action that is required to get to the point where 'luck' occurs. There is an old saying that holds true: the harder I work, the luckier I get.

The Archenemy

Do you know what the archenemy of success is? The title of this blog post ought to give it away. Procrastination will never lead to success. In fact, this single trait does more to destroy one's chance of advancement than any other quality. Procrastination is cunning and powerful. Most who are afflicted with this disease are rarely aware that it exists.

Success is a result of action. Usually, it is continuous action extended over a long period of time. Procrastination is the archenemy of this because it breeds the exact opposite. The result of procrastination is inactivity. Naturally, as is seen, procrastination, by its very definition cannot create success.

3 Ways To Overcome Procrastination

1. Make a list:

Many procrastinate because they do not know what to do next. A list is a helpful way to create a 'blueprint' for the action taken. Unlike some of the 'experts' who write on this subject, I find that the best list is the simplest. Instead of trying to determine the most 'important' activities (also called 'large stones'), just write down 5 things that you need to do. Then start doing them.

To show how simple the list can be, here is what I wrote that I need to get done this evening:

-walk, workout, stretch, write blog post, and shave head

The first few items were completed without waste. My tendency to procrastinate was removed since I know what the next action is.

2. Give yourself a deadline

Many believe that the operate better under pressure. While I am not here to debate that point, I will state there is plenty of research to the contrary. Nevertheless, if you are one who is convinced you excel only when getting close to 'crunch time', then I suggest you set a deadline for whatever you are faced with. For example, if you use the aforementioned list, give yourself until 8:00 PM to complete it. Instead of allowing circumstances to dictate what you do, create the 'pressure' yourself.

3. Tell someone else

Accountability is something that we all need. Sadly, most of us fail at holding ourselves accountable. My own personal experience is that we will let ourselves off the hook by buying into the excuses we create. These excuses are the rationalizations that we use to uphold our inactivity.

Involving another person helps us to create that accountability. Thus, if you are faced with something that requires action, tell someone what needs doing and when you will complete it by. Insist that person check up on you to make sure you did what was intended (this might require some explaining but most serious people will applaud your efforts). I found this type of accountability will remove procrastination in most instances. The reason is simple: the fear of losing 'face' is a more powerful than the internal mechanism that is making us procrastinate.

Freedom

One cannot be free unless he has control over himself. Whenever we are allowing our internal fears to control us, we are a slave. My entire existence is dedicated to the elimination of the chains that bind me. While it is easy to mention the external ones like a job working for someone else, the truth is that my own mind is my greatest jailer. Anything that I can do to overcome the obstacles it puts in my way helps to free me from bondage.

Procrastination steals time and energy away. I found that most actions take less than 30 minutes (in fact most less then 10 minutes). Yet, a person will put that activity off for days, dwelling upon it the entire time. The simple fact is that it is often easier to take action immediately and move on. This affords one the opportunity to utilize time as he or she sees fit.

Long term success is the result of a series of steps in a particular direction. Like DeNiro said," it took me 10 years to become an overnight sensation". Freedom is something that each of us needs to work for on a daily basis. Unfortunately, we are our own worst enemy in this pursuit. Of course, the advantage to that is we can do something about it. Overcome your personal limitation in an effort to achieve this end.

Start by kicking procrastination to the curb. Take a couple activities you are putting off, write them down, and go do them. Use one (or more) of the techniques above and watch your results increase immediately. This will help you break free from the bondage of procrastination.