Make a New Year's Resolution to Stop Procrastinating and gain control of your life -- don't procrastinate any further.
Start by understanding what type of procrastinator you are:
Perfectionists fear living up to their high standards.
Suggestion: Set two deadlines. Complete the project by the earlier deadline, then "perfect-it" by the final deadline.
Over-achievers think everything they do is vitally important.
Suggestion: Learn to delegate, say "no," and prioritize your tasks.
Thrill-seekers thrive on finishing just in time.
Suggestion: Begin as soon as possible and plan for contingencies.
Over-promising.
Suggestion: Admit when you've underestimated a project's size ? break it into smaller, manageable tasks and be realistic about the requirement for each.
Fearful.
Suggestion: Just start -- quickly you will discover that your fears are either unfounded or not as overwhelming as imagined.
Play-first-types.
Suggestion: Reward yourself generously only after hard work, never before.
How to make the change, and stick to it:
- Take tiny steps towards changing your procrastination habits.
- Prioritize and set realistic deadlines daily (do so manually or using time-management software).
- Break large jobs up into smaller, more manageable tasks.
- Complete tasks from beginning to end.
- Do the unpleasant tasks early in the day, don't work on low priority tasks first.
- Avoid distractions like the water cooler -- or TV-watching.
- Schedule regular work hours in your home office.
- Reward yourself after the project is completed.
- Focus on the relief you'll feel upon completion
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- Start today.
