This week I was asked for one quick tip to deal with procrastination. The tip I gave is definitely the one I’ve found takes away the feeling of overwhelm.

Today I put it into context with the step by step system that I use for myself and with my clients.

 

1.       What’s the outcome you want?

Get clear on what you want to get done and why.

2.       And when do you want it by?

Yes, give yourself a deadline (it works better if it’s your deadline, rather than someone else’s).

I’ve found a timeline for the project is helpful.

3.       What’s in your way and stopping you from taking the next step?

Get the obstacles out of your way. Remove everything you don’t need to complete your task. This might mean clearing everything out of the way, turning off phones, closing down Facebook, canceling appointments, closing doors, shutting down the excuses.

Have only what you need on hand to get the job done.

The aim is for dedicated focus.

4.       What steps do you need to take to complete the project?

List the steps.

Add them to your timeline.

5.       Break those steps into smaller parts.

Keep chunking them right down until you can really see where you are in the process and what the next thing is that needs to be done.

6.       Where are you right now? And no, I don’t mean, stuck! I mean what step are you up to right now?

This may be the point you see why you are stuck, either

• You don’t like doing this part (get it done anyway) or
• It’s too hard and you don’t think you can (if you truly don’t have the skills then reach out and ask for help).

7.       At each step do it with purpose (refer to steps 1 & 2 above).

8.       Take a quick minute to celebrate your success at each step along the way.

Eg another tick on the list, a 10-second happy dance, a quick progress text to your buddy or whatever you choose.

Before long you will be seeing traction and momentum (woohoo! Another celebration!)

9.       Repeat steps 7 & 8 until the project is complete.

10.   The biggest celebration comes at the end when the whole project is complete, you hand over your finished product and you pack away everything related to it because you no longer need it.

 

Use this process to get going, or use it to keep going. Good luck! You can do it!

 

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