The art of procrastination

This skill isn't exactly what you call a rarity, for the general global population has already embraced it almost wholeheartedly into their daily lives. And it's really a lot easier than taking a candy from a baby, way too easy! Whether we're talking about a chore, a project or assignment, shopping for groceries, going to the gym or simply clipping those claw-like nails, it just takes a blink of an eye to postpone everything at once. After all, as long as tomorrow exists, then why waste all that priceless energy of yours, right? Uh...i don't think so.

How not to procrastinate

Associated with every needless delay that comes up is the unavoidable accumulation in your things-to-do list, besides being nagged by that gnawing sense of guilt and regret. Let's say you do have a lot of time to spare on your hands, how about other future tasks that suddenly pop out of nowhere to add to your current beanstalk pile of unaccomplished tasks? Your days, weeks, or even months become one humongous clutter after another. And its all because of your habitual inactivity. Or 'later' being your nickname. Yet, this isn't like some incurable disease that will haunt you for life. The following tips should bail you out in the long run:

Create your own things-to-do-list.
Start noting down things that need to be accomplished and arrange them in order according to priority or importance. Going to the foot spa shouldn't get top billing ahead of settling your past overdue bills.

Set deadlines at all times.
Be extremely strict on yourself when it comes to due dates for accomplishing the task. The saying 'its better late than never' doesn't and shouldn't apply here. Never be late when it comes to a deadline and get yourself used to it starting now!

Be realistic when it comes to time frame.
Okay, you surely don't want to be torturing yourself when it comes to completing a task. Lets say, A 10 page essay requiring extensive research can't be accomplished in just 30 minutes or even an hour, especially if you don't have the material in front of you at the moment. Or taking up the whole day just to do the dishes. Associate each task with its corresponding time period of
completion.

Always have a calendar to write your notes or a journal in hand.
Believe me, a lot of you would testify to the fact including myself, that you can't cram all that info inside your head and expect to remember it when the time comes. You're no computer. Constantly write down important notes on your calendar or a small journal like specific deadlines or reminders concerning the task and work on them one item at a time. Never schedule them all in one day, unless of course, you're the man of steel.

Work on the difficult tasks first.
Usually, the tough assignments consume more time and attention so it's better to begin with it first, rather than putting it off until the very last minute. After that, you're not pressured and more relaxed to take on the lighter tasks with ease.

Block out thoughts of procrastinating
When a state of sluggishness arises, psyche yourself up and remind yourself of the consequences should you give in to delaying the task at hand. What i do when laziness starts to creep in, is i imagine the sound of a buzzer, or alarm in my head going off every time that happens. Weird, but it does keep out the slack-virus from time to time.

Avoid unnecessary distractions.
Read your email only to check if you have important messages or make a phone call only when the need arises. Don't invest your precious time on facebook, twitter, or myspace and eventually get caught up in all that craze. Next thing you know, you've lost appetite for that important assignment and leave it for another day....of continuous social networking fever, again and again till eternity!

Keep your focus solely on the task at hand.
Concentrate on completing the current task before you proceed to the next one. Avoid doing all things at the same time or multitasking if you're not totally up to it. If you do multitask, make sure you accomplish the task at hand, first and foremost.

Identify unnecessary time consuming activities.
It is essential to spot certain activities that hinder the accomplishment of specific tasks and responsibilities. Like, the 'couch potato' disease wherein you stay glued to the television set for hours, mindless of your home looking like a pig sty.

Just do it!
We all struggle at some point in attempting to begin a particular task. Our thoughts clash inside our head and we haven't even done anything yet. The trick is, just take that giant step. Just do it! There's no magic formula here, no mathematical equation, it really lies in the basic execution of that assignment.


Best time is now

If we can watch a movie today without delay, or hang out with friends right at this very moment without brainstorming over it, why can't we apply the same principle over a task that needs to be done right away? Sure, for some of us-it's a temporary escape from that dreaded assignment or project, in exchange for a more pleasurable activity. And we all have good intentions to progress and make it big, but how can that be proven if it remains a theory in our heads? Unless we exercise our goals and plans, we'll never know of the huge benefits we'll be reaping from it. Not tomorrow or the day after, or next week. We act now.