EVERYDAY LIFE
Let’s Be Honest: Procrastination Sucks
How many times have you wondered what’s wrong with you and why you can’t make a move. You may have a strong urge to take action but feel like you cannot make a single step forward. You’re aware that you have a large amount of work or an important task to complete, but you keep telling yourself you will get to it later, tomorrow, next week. It can be tough to overcome procrastination, especially when your task doesn’t appear to be enjoyable.
Putting things off can be dangerous when it comes to things like paying important bills or doing your taxes. If you don’t do them on time, you might end up paying more than you would have originally. But each time you sit down to start with your burdensome task, a flood of emotions fills your mind. You can’t focus; you just want to quit and run. So how do you break this cycle to put things off for another day?
It only takes 5 minutes
The idea is to make it easier to start with a task that you’ve been putting off for a while. Take the first step and begin to work on your task for only 5 minutes. Give yourself the option to pause if you feel you are unable to continue. These first 5 minutes can help you break the habit of procrastination.
Because, with a few exceptions, once you start doing something, it’s easier to keep doing it. There may be days when your energy levels are really low or you are unable to think clearly. It’s ok if this happens, but it’s important to commit to your 5 minutes and try the next day. I’m always committed to my 5 minutes and that’s crucial. These 5 minutes changed my focus and my workflow.
The one thing
Set your priorities and be realistic about what you can do. Choose one thing you can complete in a day, a week, or a month. Create a plan for accomplishing your goals and break down big tasks into small, achievable steps.
