Perhaps the task involves work and
the resisting part would just as soon watch television. The task
may seem overwhelming, and it seems impossible to even decide
where to start.
There are some concrete steps you can take to overcome the inertia
of procrastination. First make a list of the things on which
you really want to, or feel you must take some action. Then,
put each one on a separate page. For each one, list the steps
that must be taken to get the job done.
Pick the one, or ones you want to start on, and put dates beside
each step; the date by which or upon which you will complete
that one step. It is much easier to contemplate and complete
one step, than thinking about the entire project.
Let's imagine you are a teenager who needs to clean her room.
On Monday, you go through the room and throw away anything that
is garbage. On Tuesday, you pick up all the clothes off the floor
and furniture, either hanging it up, putting it in a drawer,
or into the laundry.
On Wednesday, you put books back on shelves, CDs away, and anything
else that needs to be stowed. On Thursday you pull out everything
from under the bed and repeat the first three steps with whatever
you find there. On Friday, tidy dresser tops and desk tops and
the closet if needed.
On Saturday, vacuum and dust. On Sunday, show your parents what
you have done!
So, whatever it is you need to do, make a list, commit to dates,
and get started. Completing each step will motivate you to take
the next one, and before you know it, you have succeeded.
Gwen Randall-Young is an author
and Registered Psychologist in private practice. She is the recipient
of the Psychologist's Association of Alberta John G. Paterson
award (2003) for excellence in portraying psychological knowledge
to the public. Visit her website www.gwen.ca or contact her directly:
gwendall@shaw.ca Books and CDs available online.
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