Procrastination (Self Development - 3)

 Procrastination

Do you often find yourself procrastinating? A few years ago I used to be a massive procrastinator and always found ways to distract myself from working towards my goals. When feeling demotivated I quickly gave up on the task I was currently doing and turned towards other activities which didn't take me any effort like scrolling through social media or taking a nap. But with some hard work, I was able to build up a lot of self-discipline which helped me overcome procrastination and ultimately propelled my life in the right direction. SELF DISCIPLINE Stop waiting "I'm not feeling inspired today. Maybe I'm just too tired. It's not the right time to do this." We all are guilty of these excuses when our motivation is nowhere to be found. There is the common misconception that motivation and inspiration are needed to do the important work, but actually, inspiration and motivation originate from taking action. It is much more of a loop rather than a linear process. So just get started. I know that it's a lot easier said than done, but it's all about writing that first sentence, reading that first page, or whatever it is in your case to get this loop started. Instead of waiting for inspiration to appear out of nowhere, actively pursue it by taking action. Get rid of distractions The reason why you often find yourself procrastinating is that you allow yourself to do it. If your phone is right next to your keyboard and pops up with notifications every other minute, it is no wonder that you're not able to sustain a good focus. Identify your biggest distractions and lock them away while working. I myself have two 4 hour work blocks each day in which I switch my smartphone into flight mode and put it away from my workspace. Not being able to immediately grab your phone, forces you to challenge your impulsive behaviors and makes it a lot easier to stay focused on the task at hand. Focus on what you are in control of   The easiest excuse to postpone your work is to blame it on external factors. Of course, it feels better if the problem lies in something else instead of facing your own flaws. But doing so is not going to get you far, because you don't have any influence on what is out of your control. That's why you should stop worrying about the things you cannot change and instead find solutions for the things you can control. You are the master of your own destiny and have to make the most out of the cards you were dealt.