Dealing with Procrastination

“You may delay, but time will not.” - Benjamin Franklin

Procrastination is probably one of the longest words in my dictionary. I used to have problem spelling it; I used to spell it as ‘Procastination’ without the ‘r.’ Not to worry, I am not going to talk about spelling today. I am going to talk about dealing with procrastination.

It is my ‘running day’ today and I should have gone for my run this morning. However, when I woke up this morning, the sky was gloomy with signs of an impending rain. In fact, it was raining in the wee hours around 5.30 am.

So naturally I have load of excuses not to go for the run this morning; the road is still wet, the running shoes will be drenched, I can go for a run in the afternoon or I can go for a run tomorrow morning instead etc. And you guess right, I did not go for the run this morning.

Just about an hour ago, I was reading Death defying stunt in London by CK about his plan to run from work to home today. And after reading it, I shut down my laptop and went for a run at around 1 pm in the afternoon. Don’t worry, no heat stroke; the sky was very cloudy just now.

I just dislike being a loser to procrastination, especially when I know I can beat it. So thank you to CK, somehow your post has given me the much needed ‘push’ … for action.

I believe that most of us had moments when procrastination got the better of us and we did not manage to do what we had set to do for that day. I know, it is a lousy feeling - a feeling of not in control.

There were mornings like today when procrastination had gotten the better of me but there were also many mornings when I dealt with procrastination face-on. The outcome? I won and with lots of sweats.

So what are the secrets for dealing with procrastination? Pardon me, there are no secret formula to apply or potion to drink. The best way of dealing with procrastination for me and with almost 100% hit rate is to take immediate action.

The biggest challenge is getting out of the house. How did I do it?

First of all, I focus on the positive aspects that running always bring me. I have always felt good after every run and have felt more ready to take on other challenges. Not to mention I maintain a healthy lifestyle. Through focusing on the positive aspects that running always bring me, I build up my mind positively step by step. If needed, you can write it down on a piece of paper all the advantages of doing something that you want to do but keep putting it off.

Secondly, I just put on my tee-shirt, running shoes, grab the keys, open the door and out of the house I go. It couldn’t have been more simple. This has always worked for me. Thus the more you procrastinate, the more you need to get into the act of doing. Once you are in the act of doing it, the process should carry you along until you are done.

How about you? What is your effective ways for dealing with Procrastination?