Do You Procrastinate?

Hi everybody, I want to wish you and your family a very happy & safe Chinese New Year! This time of year can be busy for us all, but I think we need to sit back, relax, and take a few minutes to reflect on the year past, as well as the year ahead. I want to thank you so much for being a part of our online family. Thank you to those who have supported us previous month, allowing me to continue to do what I love.

Are you always fighting with procrastination? Does there seem to be an endless list of “things to do”, that you just can’t seem to get started on? If so, I know how you feel because this used to be one of my worst struggles. Even today, sometimes that pesky to do list appears to get longer n’ longer lol!

I also know that some of my closest (and quite successful) friends still manage to fall into this category - (Henk - not to mention any names :). Here’s a couple of little tricks to help you overcome that obstacle which can be a huge impediment to achieving your goals.

1) Give yourself a reward

Promise yourself something nice like a new outfit, book, or gadget if you make a specific amount of progress on your task. You can also choose less expensive rewards like treating yourself to favorite foods or taking some time off once you’ve completed the task. Just be sure you follow through on your promise or you’ll have a harder time bribing yourself next time.

2) Focus on the satisfaction

If that doesn’t work, focus intently on the feeling of satisfaction you’ll gain when the job is done! Most often when you procrastinate you’re focusing on the negative aspects of the task you don’t want to do, like how hard it will be, how unpleasant or boring, and so on. By focusing more on the positive gains, you’ll feel more inclined to take action so you can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

I remember a comment I read Tony Robbins made (that’s always stuck with me), that is…. “What is the pain you’ll feel if you DON’T do it?” Hmmm…something to think about?

Now, these motivational tactics and others are only effective if you’re willing to give them a fair chance to work. When it comes right down to it, you have to be the one to decide to get moving - no matter what it takes to do so. The Good news is that once you do begin moving forward, it seems much easier to keep the momentum going.

I hope this Chinese New Year brings you many great joys and opportunities to come. And, please stay safe over the holiday.

Warmly,
Antien