How to Stop Procrastinating

Tips for Homemakers Overcoming Procrastination

Apr 10, 2009 Venice Kichura

If you're a chronic procrastinator you know how hard it is to just do what you need to do. However the more you put off a task, the more stressed you can become.

As the deadline for income taxes approaches many taxpayers file an extension each year as they’re not able to get the job done on time by April 15th. However some of these same people continue to file extensions year after year. If you’re a procrastinator you’re not alone as statistacs show that 95 percent of the population has this tendency. However, only 20 percent are chronic procrastinators. Why do some people struggle with procrastination? It’s not that they’re inferior people. They just have a bad habit that probably bothers them more than anyone else.

What Causes Procrastination?

Fear of failure and perfectionism – Often people, such as homemakers put off doing a task such as inviting others to their home for dinner because they’re afraid they can't entertain well. However, they actually feel worse because they didn’t even try to start. It’s better to have tried and failed than to have not tried at all. If your meal isn't perfect, just learn from your mistakes. It’s worthy to have high standards, but when your standards get in the way of not doing the job, it’s time to lay down perfectionism.

Lack of focus– Having too many distractions can result in procrastinating. If you’re unable to pay your bills with confusion of family around you, find a quiet spot, away from whatever distracts you such as other people, reading materials, television and telephones. Turn off your cell phone or use your answering machine, with your land phone on ringer. If necessary, wear earplugs.

How to Overcome Procrastination

There are many tips to help you stop putting off those tasks you’ve been ignoring

Do the most dreaded job first. There’s an old saying that says, “Eat your frogs first.” What this means is to tackle the jobs you dread the most before doing any more tasks. For example, if you need to make phone calls to find a estimate on cleaning your carpet and you hate to talk on the phone, make those calls at the beginning of your workday. Just pick up the phone, “eat your frog” and do it.

Make a daily “to do” list for the next day. Rather than write down all you need to do on the day you should do it, make your “to do” list at the close of the day. This will save you time when you start your day the next day. Then, check off each task as you complete it.

Break up a large project into smaller jobs. Rather than dwell on the enormity of a big job, break it up into sections, setting deadlines for each small job. Give yourself a small reward for each small goal making up the large project. In fact, that’s how Weight Watchers operates with their “10 percent” goal program. Each time members lose 10 percent of their body weight, their efforts are rewarded and recognized, rather than waiting until they’re at their final goals.

Be accountable. Find a trusted friend or family member and confess that you need to be accountable for your plans. Besides setting a deadline for a project, such as cleaning out your closets, share the date with your accountability partner. Tell him to ask you if you’re working on the job as your deadline nears.

Make a decision. Often people procrastinate because they’re afraid to make a decision. After weighing all the pros and cons of a decision, make a choice. And, if it’s the wrong decision, just learn by your mistakes.

Finally, don’t beat yourself up if you are a procrastinator. Just take steps to improve, knowing you can overcome any bad habit if you’re determined enough to change and put in the effort to do so.

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Just Do It!