It’s easy to say that we’re too busy to do certain things, but the reality is that there’s something deeper going on when we procrastinate. Whether it’s starting a new project, finishing a task on our to-do list, or taking care of a personal errand, procrastination is something we’ve all struggled with at one point or another. So why do we do it? And more importantly, how can we overcome it?
Here are 3 strategies you can use to start motivated and stay motivated to do what must be done:
1. Understand your triggers
You must understand what the “triggers” are before you can address the issue. Is it a specific type of task? A task that requires a lot of time and energy? Or maybe it’s a task that you simply don’t enjoy doing. Once you understand your triggers, you can start to develop a plan for how to deal with them. If you find yourself overwhelmed and retreating to social media to anesthetize you from the pain of doing that “thing” remember it’s only a distraction from facing the real issue. Be honest with yourself when you unpack the real reasons.
2. Set smaller goals
When we’re facing a large, daunting task, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and push it off until later. One way to combat this is by breaking the task down into smaller, more manageable goals. By setting smaller goals, you’ll make progress on the overall task without getting overwhelmed—and you’ll start to feel better about yourself in the process.
It’s not even really about the goals. It’s about getting wins. Once you begin to create that success no matter how small, you build momentum. This is called the aggregation of marginal gains. It’s huge, but requires you to really focus on what you “can do” right now no matter how small it may seem.
3. Find an accountability partner
This is a tough one! On the one hand you want someone to motivate you, but you get embarrassed. They may judge you. You can thank your ego for that. So what must you do?
Have the top of mind awareness to put the emotions to the side. Look at your challenges as just that. Challenges. When you have someone that’s not emotionally involved and you also look at it that way too, you’ll have the best shot of consistency.
It’s one thing to tell yourself that you’re going to do something; it’s another thing entirely to have someone else holding you accountable for actually doing it. If you’re struggling to stay motivated, find someone who will help keep you on track—whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a professional coach. Having someone in your corner will make all the difference when it comes time to finally tackle that procrastinated task.
At the end of the day, you’re not alone. We all struggle with procrastination from time to time—but that doesn’t mean we have to give in to it. The worst thing you can do is put a label on yourself and say you always procrastinate or you work better under pressure by waiting. These may help you rationalize your situation, but you certainly won’t grow.
By understanding our triggers, setting smaller goals, and finding an accountability partner, we can overcome procrastination and get things done! But remember, we are not perfect nor should you try to be. If you catch yourself, then remind yourself what you can do to get out of the situation and back on track to achieve what you desire.
As a co-founder of The Constance Group, I’m at the forefront of revolutionizing sales and leadership strategies worldwide. Our difference? The proprietary “Sales Funnel©” methodology—an innovative approach that significantly enhances selling processes, complemented by our programs in leadership, negotiation, and sales development.
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