PROCRASTINATION: This can affect us all from time to time, especially when it comes to something we’re not particularly looking forward to doing.
There are a couple very simple tips that have really help me, and I hope they’ll help you too reader.
My 3, 2, 1, rule. This is a very simple strategy to induce immediate action. Take anything from making the bed to washing dishes – simply count to yourself “3, 2, 1” and then just DO IT! Whatever it is, after a couple of times after you’ve done the count down, you’ll train your mind to immediately take action. I know reader, it sounds too easy. That’s what I thought until I started doing it myself. Now, it’s one of my go to strategies. Try it, if you like it – us it.
It also helps if you love (or really like) what it is you’re about to do! reader, you can trick your mind into loving anything you want it to, and it’s easier than you think. This is a good strategy to use when creating new habits. For example, let’s say you want to start a new exercise plan, but dread the thought of going to the gym. Start telling yourself how much you love going to the gym and how you love the feeling after you’ve exercised. How good you feel about yourself.
Believe me, it works. You’ll start to look forward to whatever it is you’re trying to do whether it’s going to the gym or waking up earlier. As you start seeing the benefits of your new habit, the results will start pulling you, and making it easier and easier. You will in fact, start to love what you’re doing. I used this strategy back in middle school when I first started my workout routine. Now, I feel “dirty” if I don’t exercise in the morning. In fact, my day doesn’t start until I’ve exercised
Even those mornings when I really don’t feel like, and my mind is throwing up all kind of other ideas to take the place of my exercise program – I simply count down from 3, and force myself to start. Afterwards, I’m so glad I did!