We all procrastinate sometimes. Sometimes it’s even a good idea to put something aside and procrastinate. But when that changes from an occasional item to everything we find, it’s time to stop being so lazy, get up from that comfortable chair, and actually do something!
1. Get started right away
This is a great technique that I use regularly to overcome my preference for procrastination and laziness.
By initiating anything instantly, you don’t give time to the part of your mind that would rather you make no effort to make itself known. By the time he realizes he should work overtime to make you lazy, you’ve already started the task.
2. Develop your motivation
It is generally accepted that we operate in one of two directions: towards something nice or away from something.
You will find that your motivation usually goes in one of those directions. If you’re not sure, almost any of your friends will have instinctively picked up on the pattern and can tell you in an instant.
Once you’ve figured this out, you can start troubleshooting. Change the way you approach things you would normally procrastinate so that your approach fits with your method of motivation.
So if you are “far from” then set up some kind of penalty or other negative thing if you don’t do homework.
If you are “towards”, set up a small reward when you reach your goal.
That way, you’ll be more in sync with the way your mind works and more likely to get the task done than show your previous signs of laziness.
3. Break it up
Any big task can seem daunting.
But you’re not going to complete a big task in one go. You’re only going to be doing a small part of it.
So break that gigantic, daunting task into many smaller tasks, each one so easy you could almost do it in your sleep.
A bit like writing a book. The thought of writing 300 pages is daunting to say the least. Maybe even one page will scare you (often called writer’s block), but a short paragraph should be easy. Do the same with any task you are lazy about and you will find that you can do more than you ever thought possible.
4. Watch your diet
The food we eat has a major effect on how we feel.
Too many calories at lunchtime, especially if they are calorie-heavy and carbohydrate-laden, can affect how we feel for much of the afternoon.
But the same goes for other times of the day as well.
So be at least a little careful about what you eat. Gradually wean yourself from foods that you know deep down are not good for you and switch to healthier foods.
The same goes for drinks. Sugar-laden soft drinks are bad news. The supposedly healthier juice drinks can also be filled with sugar. So take the time to watch what you’re drinking, too.
You never know, simply adjusting your diet might help you feel less sluggish!