Overcoming Procrastination

My husband and I both suffer from procrastination at times. I avoid tasks that are unpleasant, which then causes problems later on when I have a multitude of unpleasant tasks to care of. Not to mention that procrastinating means that sometimes important things slip through the cracks, like paying bills. Not good!

I don't like procrastinating, but that's just how I've functioned for most of my life. Recently, I adopted a positive affirmation that really struck me. The affirmation is: I do it now. I say this to myself every day, and it actually works. I still have trouble with procrastination, but it's getting better!

My husband just started his doctoral program and is struggling to adjust to the demands of his studies. I know procrastination is something he struggles with, and I know he can't afford it with the time constraints he has. So when I saw this article about procrastination on The Positivity Blog, I knew I had to link to it - it's got great tips for getting past procrastination.

So if you've ever struggled with procrastination, check the article out here. And you may also want to try repeating the phrase, "I do it now" any time you want to put something off. I'm telling you, it really helps!

Related Posts:
What Motivates You?
Habits Shape Who We Are

When doing something new, don't give up!

6 comments:

John J. Kaiser said...

"My husband and I both suffer from procrastination at times."

I would love to admit to this problem, but I just keep putting it off.

john - from fat to fit said...

My wife and I are the exact opposites in this regard. She needs to do continuing education credits for work every couple of years and about a month ago she spent a couple of weeks getting all of hers done for 2008, a year ahead of time.

I will wait until the morning of a key presentation to complete it.

Anonymous said...

"I do it now" --- I'm going to try that! I have another affirmation I recently started saying, which is "I always know." For me, procrastination tends to sneak in if I feel I don't have all the information I need to get started or take action. However, as a friend of mine pointed out, all of us "always know." It's just a matter of tapping into our inner knowledge and bringing it to the surface...reminding ourselves, if you will. Between "I do it now" and "I always know," the three workshops I wanted to write should be completed by tomorrow morning! Thanks!!

Holli Jo said...

John J -- Ha! Exactly.

John -- Your wife needs to stop showing up the rest of us!!

Megan B -- I like your affirmation "I always know." I'll have to use that one, because I sometimes doubt myself.

To all -- Welcome! Thanks for visiting my blog.

Unknown said...

Supporting a partner in a Doctoral programme is one of the hardest things to do. Me and my wife started our Masters degrees together and this year she finished her PhD.
I'm probably never going to do it. I'm happy with just a Masters. Anyway, after about three years working on her PhD she just couldn't face it anymore. For almost a year she did virtually nothing. I would like to think that my support kept her going.
The best thing for a procastinator is a quiet supporter that believes in you.

Holli Jo said...

gerhi:

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your comment about you and your wife nearly brought tears to my eyes. Congrats to your wife for finishing, and how blessed she is to have a person like you to support her.

I hope I can be that person to my husband.