I used to be a procrastinator. Big time. Mixed with severe depression, procrastination is what kept me hiding in bed from the world for nearly 7 years, while my body slowly became obese.
Procrastination is a life stealer. It's a happiness stealer, and it's a dream stealer. It will steal goals, time, organization, and your health. I know about procrastination all too well. It's an extremely hard yet ironically simple issue to overcome. Here's how you can do it...
When you first open your eyes in the morning, don't think about yesterday. Don't think about today, or the tasks that lie ahead. Simply wake up, sit up, and thank our beautiful Lord Jesus for giving us a life of forgiveness, and thank God for another beautiful day in which to shine for Him. Be grateful.
After you thank the Lord for your brand new day, GET UP OUT OF BED! Move your self to the kitchen and drink a glass of water with lemon inside. Next, I want you to eat something. Something heatlhy. A small bowl of hot oats with berries and 2 hard boiled eggs on the side. Or perhaps a veggie omlet with a half of an apple sliced up on the side. Even a slice of whole grain toast with all natural nut butter spread on top will do the trick. JUST GET YOUR ENERGY FLOWING AND YOUR METABOLISM BURNING!
While you are eating, chew slowly and enjoy your food. Taste it. And drink more water. Plan tomorrow's breakfast while you are eating today's... this will move you in the right direction, and you will be ready to eat when you wake up! You will be PREPARED to start your day off on the right foot.
Next, create a motto or words of encouragement that "speak" to you. My favorite motto is this: "You can give in, give up, or give it your ALL." I keep this everywhere throughout my house and office, and I view it frequently. It helps to keep me motivated and moving in the right direction: Accomplishment instead of Procrastination.
Every day, choose something to do for 15 minutes straight without stopping, such as cleaning/straightening out your refrigerator, or maybe a cluttered drawer or cabinet. My favorite things to do to stay organized and keep from procrastinating later on are cleaning out the tupperware cabinet, and wiping down the water dispenser on the outside of our refrigerator. If I take just 15 minutes out of every day to complete these small tasks, they stay neat and clean, and I don't have to procrastinate over the weekend to get them cleaned up. Don't allow clutter to become overwhelming to clean on your days off from work! You won't deal with them!
Now, practice this method daily, and add to it every week. You can choose to spend 10 minutes every evening straightening up your laundry room, or cleaning out your car in the driveway and wiping the interior and windows down. Or how about that counter top that is always full of clutter? Take just a few minutes daily to clear it, and put all items in their rightful places.
How many of you procrastinate when it comes time to eat healthy and/or get some exercise? Procrastination in this area will eventually KILL you. I don't think you want that, do you? If you have to, start off slow! Change a few bad eating habits every week. Start walking for 15 minutes a day, and add to it. Get yourself a small weightset, and add to it from there. Add a new recipe to your menu once or twice a week, and continue your collection. Baby steps will keep you from procrastination.
Have a project to work on? Procrastination setting in due to the overwhelming task? No problem! Break it down, on paper, into easy and small steps or goals. Make a commitment to yourself to complete at least 2 to 3 tasks from your list each day for X amount of days. You'll have it done in no time. You have to break down the big picture into smaller, do-able tasks. Organization is key here. Laziness is not an option.
Do you want to know the biggest secret to overcoming procrastination? Tell someone what your daily goals/chores are, and hold yourself accountable to that person at the end of each day! You don't want to have to tell your husband or your wife or your sister that you did not complete something! You will be more likely to get things done and not be a procrastinator. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come, so all you have is this moment, right now, TODAY.
Do the most you can, with what you have, right where you are at. You'll be amazed at the quality improvement in your life after you hold yourself accountable!
As always, Eat Clean, Train Mean, and LIVE LEAN!!!
~
The Kaptain
