SubscribeDealing with Procrastination
“You may delay, but time will not.” – Benjamin Franklin
Procrastination is probably one of the longest words in my dictionary. I used to have problem spelling it; I used to spell it as ‘Procastination’ without the ‘r.’ Not to worry, I am not going to talk about spelling today. I am going to talk about dealing with procrastination.
It is my ‘running day’ today and I should have gone for my run this morning. However, when I woke up this morning, the sky was gloomy with signs of an impending rain. In fact, it was raining in the wee hours around 5.30 am.
So naturally I have load of excuses not to go for the run this morning; the road is still wet, the running shoes will be drenched, I can go for a run in the afternoon or I can go for a run tomorrow morning instead etc. And you guess right, I did not go for the run this morning.
Just about an hour ago, I was reading Death defying stunt in London by CK about his plan to run from work to home today. And after reading it, I shut down my laptop and went for a run at around 1 pm in the afternoon. Don’t worry, no heat stroke; the sky was very cloudy just now.
I just dislike being a loser to procrastination, especially when I know I can beat it. So thank you to CK, somehow your post has given me the much needed ‘push’ … for action.
I believe that most of us had moments when procrastination got the better of us and we did not manage to do what we had set to do for that day. I know, it is a lousy feeling – a feeling of not in control.
There were mornings like today when procrastination had gotten the better of me but there were also many mornings when I dealt with procrastination face-on. The outcome? I won and with lots of sweats.
So what are the secrets for dealing with procrastination? Pardon me, there are no secret formula to apply or potion to drink. The best way of dealing with procrastination for me and with almost 100% hit rate is to take immediate action.
The biggest challenge is getting out of the house. How did I do it?
First of all, I focus on the positive aspects that running always bring me. I have always felt good after every run and have felt more ready to take on other challenges. Not to mention I maintain a healthy lifestyle. Through focusing on the positive aspects that running always bring me, I build up my mind positively step by step. If needed, you can write it down on a piece of paper all the advantages of doing something that you want to do but keep putting it off.
Secondly, I just put on my tee-shirt, running shoes, grab the keys, open the door and out of the house I go. It couldn’t have been more simple. This has always worked for me. Thus the more you procrastinate, the more you need to get into the act of doing. Once you are in the act of doing it, the process should carry you along until you are done.
How about you? What is your effective ways for dealing with Procrastination?
And the picture above? That was the bonus for the run today. I managed to see these beautiful blooming flowers. At some parts, the flowers group together like a beehive. Of course, I couldn’t resist myself from taking a shot with my Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot camera phone.
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Thanks to alwayswinner7 from Jumping For Joy for giving me the Kreative (this is a link to the first time I received this award) Blogger Award.
by Sherxr, on May 14 2009 @ 8:42 am
Really need some inspiration and encouragement lately so I visited your blog.
I’ve been envying the accomplishments of others too much and started putting this burden on my mind. I want to be perfect. I want to be the best but I am not. So I’m depressed.
Maybe this has nothing to do with your post. But just wish to say, reading your post help me think clearer.
Cheers mate!
Sherxrs last blog post..For the most precious and beautiful woman on earth: My Mother
by alwayswinner786, on May 14 2009 @ 10:50 am
An award is wating for you in my blog. Come join the celebration.
alwayswinner786s last blog post..Kreative Blogger Award
by The Fitness Diva, on May 14 2009 @ 5:17 pm
Procrastination is my middle name! omg!
I’d get so much more accomplished without it!
How do I deal with it? Well, some days, it wins, and on others, I just make sure that I do!
The Fitness Divas last blog post..Nasty Gym Etiquette
by Mom, on May 14 2009 @ 6:49 pm
I’ll think up a good comment for your post on procrastination later…
Moms last blog post..I don’t get it…
by Tabitha Blue, on May 14 2009 @ 7:37 pm
Taking it head on is really the best way to deal with it… what you said rings true!!
~Tabitha~
freshmommyblog.com
by Shu Fen, on May 14 2009 @ 8:36 pm
I’ve been procrastinating all my life -.-
The best way is to shut your little procrastination voice out and just DO IT.
Easier said than done though.
Cheers!
Shu Fens last blog post..What Should I Blog?
by Symphony of Love, on May 14 2009 @ 8:45 pm
@ Sher, hey mate, anytime. Come online in MSN sometimes so we can do some catching up. It is inevitable at times that we are drawn into this ‘envying’ mindset especially when our own accomplishments are so far from what others have achieved. I am not any different from you. But the good thing is we consciously know we are doing it and thus we can do something about it. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Still remember that no one is perfect in this world? We can only get better but never perfect.
by Webbielady, on May 14 2009 @ 9:00 pm
What Franlin advised to everyone is really perfect. As they say tme is gold but that is anunderstatement. Life is even more precious than diamond!
But what can we do? We are humans and subject to pause at times thus procastination happens. ^^
Webbieladys last blog post..If I am God…
by Symphony of Love, on May 14 2009 @ 9:01 pm
@ alwayswinner, thank you for the award.
@ Fitness Diva, you win some, you lose some. We will get better in dealing with it.
@ Mom, thank you.
Tabitha, yes, I believe that facing it head on is the best way for me.
by Symphony of Love, on May 14 2009 @ 11:24 pm
@ Shu Fen, it is not easy at all. As the saying goes, “There is no shortcut to any place worth going.” And as you said, the best way to deal with procrastination is to voice out and JUST DO IT. We can take little steps each day to make a difference.
@ Webbielady, yes, time is the only resource that we think we have a lot and one day we may realize how little we have in fact.
by Webbielady, on May 15 2009 @ 7:20 am
Oooops.. I meant “time” instead of “Life” up there.
Yes, it seems that time is enough but it really is NOT!
Webbieladys last blog post..An Afternoon with the Immortal Dutch: the World Renowned Painters
by Symphony of Love, on May 15 2009 @ 5:07 pm
@ Webbielady, I was confused for a while, that you mentioned ‘Life’ all of the suddenly when you were talking about time.
by Penny, on May 16 2009 @ 8:14 am
You’re right – procrastination does often lead to feeling of not having control. I constantly battle with it. But usually I’ll break down the tasks, start with something small. Then somehow it sets off a chain and I’ll achieve something for that day.
Pennys last blog post..A Walk In the Rain
by Symphony of Love, on May 16 2009 @ 5:32 pm
@ Penny, what’s a better way to break down tasks and to start doing it.
by Dan Mihaliak, on May 17 2009 @ 6:57 pm
As for me the JUST DO IT always works. Now time to go do that run!
by Symphony of Love, on May 17 2009 @ 8:30 pm
@ Dan, that is always the best way for me too.
by a fil-am journey, on May 18 2009 @ 12:24 pm
I think most of us deals with procrastination, and I, myself, is very aware of that. Most of the time, I say, I’ll do it later, I’ll deal with it tomorrow, I’ll do it next time… and blah blah… I realize it’s not good anymore… Whatever it is that should be done now, DO IT NOW, and not put off intentionally, or else…you’ll get used to it…
Debbie
by Symphony of Love, on May 18 2009 @ 4:39 pm
@ Debbie, those certainly sound very familiar. I believe that most would have mentioned something similar before. The irony is every time we were successful in putting off something, we lost control a small part of ourselves. Whatever that needs to be done, should be done in this moment; now!
by Ben, on March 15 2010 @ 12:56 pm
That’s really funny. I have the exact same problem with exercise. I usually never procrastinate, until it comes to going to the gym. Then I postpone it till the last possible moment, haha.
.-= Ben´s last blog ..Romantic Thoughts that Must Be Done =-.
by Symphony of Love, on March 16 2010 @ 3:01 am
@ Ben, procrastination seems to be the one problem that a lot of people are facing, especially when it comes to exercising.