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How many times have you hear yourself talking to you the type of sentences like, I watch just this one TV show and then I am going to finish my article? Or, I will just call Dave and later I am going to work finally, or let me first read this article online, that is so interesting, the homework can wait?

I could continue way further by naming different types of lies people are telling to themselves in order to avoid doing the necessary, but unpleasant or uncomfortable work.

If you found yourself somewhere in between those first lines, you might have problem with procrastination. No worries, you are not alone.

And no worries, there is solution to solve that issue. If you would like to know how to stop procrastinate, this article will hopefully help you.

What is procrastination ?

First things first. What actually procrastination means? I find the definition of it at Cambridge dictionary, which says:

Procrastination is to keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.

Pretty similar to, as I described couple of lines earlier. The procrastination can be find anywhere. In our daily job, in our homework related to our business, in our actual business, in relation towards our fitness exercise, in our relationships.

It shows up every time, whenever you have some task, which has to be done, but instead of working on it, or dealing with it, you search for some more enjoyable activities. As you can see, there are various areas in which the procrastination can be found. And according the area, or its importance, the effect of the procrastination on your life, would be stronger or weaker.

The biggest problem here, is that it usually starts very innocent, come on it is just one TV show, just one phone call, or just short nap.

Sneaky enemy.

Do you know how any addiction starts? People are usually lying themselves or are being deceived by others(if they are getting offered their first “shot” ) like, come on it will be just one cigarette, beer, game, or whatever ,just try it. What can happen? Well, in some cases the consequences can be tragic.

The same problem appears with procrastination. It starts as well, usually very innocent, come on it is just one TV show, just one phone call, just short nap or any other lie, but the consequences are also bad. Why?

Because it almost never stays with the one TV show. It will almost never be just that one thing. Because if we are procrastinating we will always find something more likable to do, than our important task.

What are people doing when they are procrastinating? They are trying to avoid a fear. The unconscious fear can be so high, that people would many times not even start with the task. Unfortunately, what majority don’t realise is, that we can not avoid fear, we can just face it.

If you are crossing the road, you are having the fear as well. You will not search another road just because of that. I know that this is different type of fear like calling your boss and asking for rise for example, but the principle is the same. Facing the fear rather than avoiding it.

Lying to your brain.

How can we beat that enemy?

I suggested already something earlier, you would need to face your fear anytime, if you would like to beat the procrastination. You would have to kill any possible idea on postponing things straight in first instance they appear, otherwise it can grow to robust size and than it can be too late. Kill it before it can start. Kill it with your activity.

Because, if you consider the examples from earlier on, all of them were kind of lies you were saying to yourself. Aren’t they?Just one show and than I will definitely do what I have to do. Is one of them.

Now you would need to do the same, but the other way around. It will often happen that not the fear, rather the size of the problem is not motivating you towards the required action. You know that to accomplish the task you would need more days, or more hours and therefore being stuck with this particular task is something uncomfortable to you, that you won’t start.

Now it’s the time to lie to your brain. As an example, you need to write study long 100 pages. The time required to finish the task is more than one day. Instead of your past self talk: that is too long, use new one: I will do JUST one page today and rest later. How that can help?

Often you will get so interested into the topic your study is about, that you will write not planned one, but 3,or 5 or even maybe 10 pages!! And earlier than you could check the time you might be done at 10-20%. Do you think, that it is difficult?

Well, you are just using the same technique like by postponing the activities, but now you are moving forward. And you can use this “lie” by any time-consuming task. So, it is not that difficult than, all it depends on in which direction you will direct your thinking. Power of brain is endless.

What Can I win?

Someone might say, OK but what I will get if I stop procrastinate?

The time! One of the most important value human can have. Having more time is what we want, don’t we ? And peace of your mind.

Imagine that you would first finish your task and than do the pleasant activities. Or spend some extra quality time with your family. Is it worth of stop procrastinating ? How do you feel when you do first the pleasant activity with knowing the fact, that when you finish this game with your kids for example, after you would need to finish the task.

Are you spiritually present? Don’t you think your kid deserves, to have you there completely?

Last word

I am sorry if I my last example was bit though, but I just want to realise how bad impact could the procrastion have in our lives. Despite its innocent appearance.

I know what I am writing about. I used to procrastinate a lot. Even with the small things, like avoiding meeting someone to the big things like not expressing my feelings towards my then girlfriend. Do you think she waited? 😉

That is as well procrastination, because I loved her, but because of my fear, or because of my feeling that”I have still time” I did not make the necessary steps towards keeping the relationship alive.

Every day, I am witnessing people who are procrastinating. If yo are one of them and would like to stop, please keep fighting with your fear. And keep “lying” to your brain. Your business, your wife, your kids or your friends will thank you later. You will have better results and while spending your time with your love ones, you will be present not just physically, but as well spiritually.

I hope I could give you some advice how to be more productive within my article. If you have some question or if you have self, some other techniques which are helping you stop procrastinate, please do not hesitate and leave them below.

I wish you best luck .

Julius