Conquering Procrastination Creatively.

It would be nice if you could always tackle the most important project first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Some days you can't make yourself get started on the task at hand. We all procrastinate much more than we care to admit. What happens when you procrastinate? Tasks appear larger than they actually are, and they become less familiar to you. They may become urgent because of the delay, even though initially, they were not urgent. Let's take a quick look at how to harness procrastination for all it's worth.

My approach to procrastination is that if I am handling other priority and goal-related tasks or activities, nothing is lost. Afterward, the task or activity that I have put off still has to be done. The difference is that when I am ready to begin the task I have put off, I have gotten other things out of the way first.

In a sense, creative procrastination is a form of time shifting, like using a VCR to tape a show so you can watch it later. I am not recommending that you procrastinate. But, when you can't get started on the task at hand, take care of something else important.

Techniques for Breaking Through Procrastination

Face Procrastination Head-on--Ask yourself what is blocking you. What is the real reason you don't want to get started? Write it down or record it on cassette. This exercise may dislodge something and help you to begin.

Choose to Easily Begin--Make a positive affirmation to yourself: "I choose to easily begin on this task." Making this formal choice has power and often is enough to get you started.

Employ the Three to Five Method--Ask yourself, "What are three to five things I could do, not to tackle the project headlong, but just to dabble a bit?" Then initiate these "easy entry" activities. Often they are enough to get you started headlong on the project.

Ready or Not--I've found that sometimes the best way to get started is simply to turn the PC on (or whatever else I'm working with). When the thing is ready, I'm ready.

Jump Starting--Jump starting often enables you to capture your first and sometimes best thoughts. Suppose it's Friday afternoon, and you need to start a project on Monday. You don't want to initiate the project now, but you would like to be ready to go on Monday.

Using jump starting, you might pre-review any supporting items, jot down some notes, begin a rough outline or undertake other supporting activities now, "while it doesn't count."