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7 Steps to Overcome Procrastination

I have a problem with procrastination.

It’s so easy to do it later…or tomorrow…or next week.

It’s so much easier to stay in my comfort zone than to create that new project and create that new test.

In fact, even though I’ve accomplished quite a bit online, I still find myself facing the procrastination monster from time to time.

Here are 7 quick tips to help you overcome procrastination.

1. Make Action Notes

Create action notes when you’re studying any type of information product, listening to a teleconference, or attending a seminar.

It’s easy to simply make notes on all the great information you hear, but that won’t do your business any good. The only part of the information that does you good is the part you USE to build your business.

So create a list of action points. I do this when reading an ebook or any other form of information. If I write down just one action point, the product has been worthwhile. If I have an empty page when finished, it wasn’t worth my time or money.

What you have to be careful about is to make sure you don’t write dozens and dozens of “action points.” Those are notes. You’re going to be hard pressed to really pull out more than 3 action points at any time.

2. Get Rid of Fear

Part of the reason we procrastinate is because we’re afraid of what’s going to happen when we step out.

Some of us are afraid of failure…while others are actually afraid of success (their mind is blocking them).

For me, I’ve simply changed my attitude about “failure.” If a project doesn’t work, it isn’t a failure. It’s a test. Well I tested that and it didn’t work. Now I’ll test something else.

That way you’re not personalizing the “failure” to yourself. All marketing is simply a test that we keep learning and growing from.

Growing experiences aren’t always fun, but they happen.

3. Turn Off Distractions

You know you have to write that article, produce that video, or create that website. It’s so much easier though to live in a state of distraction where you’re constantly checking your email, answering the phone, or visiting your favorite forum.

Turn off all those distractions. Focus on the task at hand. When it’s time to write, sit down and write. Don’t edit. That comes later. Simply start typing whether it’s good or crap. It doesn’t matter. It’s taking the action.

4. Daily Plan

At the end of each day I spend about 3 to 5 minutes writing a quick schedule for tomorrow. When I slack on this, I end up wasting at least an hour trying to figure out what to do.

Don’t ask me why that is. I don’t know. Five minutes to write a schedule for tomorrow…an hour of wasted time if I try it in the morning.

What’s the primary goal tomorrow? How will I grow my business tomorrow? What’s a rough schedule for each hour tomorrow?

Real simple…and written on normal paper in a desktop calendar. I don’t even use any software for this basic planning.

5. Do the Most Profitable Activities First

What is the most profitable activity in your business? Do it first. It might be creating that new product, writing sales copy, or contacting potential partners for your upcoming project.

One activity that should come in every day is a marketing activity designed to generate new business (even when you’re busy). It could be as small as adding five new keyword phrases to your Adwords account, running one ezine ad, or submitting your post to social sites.

Which activity you take isn’t what I’m focusing on here. All I’m looking at is making sure you’re doing something to generate new business and/or buying visitors everyday.

6. Reward Yourself

Set milestones and reward yourself. Maybe your goal today is to write 10 articles. Your reward could be that you’re done for the day even if it only takes you 2 and a half hours.

Maybe it’s that item you wanted to buy if you finish the project by Wednesday. Maybe you get a 4 day weekend if you get done on Thursday.

Reward yourself with something when you reach your daily and weekly goals…even if it’s just a small item.

7. Accountability

Make yourself accountable to someone for what you want to accomplish. This could be a coach you work with or it could simply be a business friend. They tell you their weekly goals and you tell them yours.

Now you know you’re going to asked about how you did.

Have you ever tried working out alone compared to a workout partner? You’ll find yourself exercising even when you might have slipped because you can’t let your buddy down. Having someone who is relying on you in business can produce the same results.

For example, if you want to really make sure your project is done on time, make a commitment to others. Let those affiliates know when the new product is releasing. Tell your customers what is coming.

In other words, assign your own public accountability.

Written by Terry · Filed Under All, Coaching 

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Comments

18 Responses to “7 Steps to Overcome Procrastination”

  1. Tom - StandOutBlogger.com on July 7th, 2008 2:28 pm

    I need to start writing a daily plan everyday, because when I do I get so much more done in a day.

  2. Hendry Lee on July 7th, 2008 2:32 pm

    I like the 5th point most. Many people like to tackle the most difficult stuff first, but I disagree. That may cause a lot of stress and ruin the whole day.

    Starting with something important (or profitable) can help. If the day goes haywire, at least something is done.

  3. George on July 7th, 2008 3:09 pm

    Number 3 is always my sticking point. It is so easy to get distracted these days. I have to force myself to follow a daily plan, otherwise I am off on tangents all day.

    Great advice…

  4. Lorraine on July 7th, 2008 3:32 pm

    Going “back to the basics” is always a good idea. I usually try to keep a daily schedule because I know it works…

    but sometimes we need a little reminder. I also like #2 because I seem to think in terms of failure all to often, even though I know better.

    Thanks Terry!

  5. Jovan Will on July 7th, 2008 5:59 pm

    Terry,

    I’ve been following your materials over the past year and I just want you to know that your insights have helped my business tremendously.

    Your blog post about overcoming fears really hit home for me. I have found that controlling my fears has been the biggest breakthrough as a business owner and leader.

    Thanks for your sincere honesty and your thoughtfulness in creating valuable content for your subscribers.

    Warm Wishes,

    Jovan

  6. Welly on July 8th, 2008 12:52 am

    Thanks for the 7 tips Terry :)

    All of them makes sense.

    For me, it’s point number 1 and 3 that I sometimes still have a hard time overcoming.

    Sometimes I just buy too many products out there and ended up not consuming all of them, let alone taking action notes. I’ll definitely have to listen to your advice though. The next time I buy and consume a product, I’ll be sure to at least take down 1 action point.

    To add to that, sometimes I’d just spend hours reading the forum posts and checking and replying non-business emails. I really need to overcome this!

    Thanks again Terry!

  7. steffan on July 8th, 2008 3:51 am

    You’ve raised some good points here – well done!

    I, personally, like to combine points 4 and 5 where you make your list, put them in order of priority and then just concentrate on the first 6 – I believe this is what made Charles Schwab great (Mike Litman calls it the Success 6). It certainly works for me particularly if you remember the Pareto Principle or 80/20 rule as it is known and understand that that 80 percent of your productivity usually comes from 20% of activity – so do that 20% first!

  8. Ron Meledandri - Sentra Business Solutions on July 8th, 2008 2:26 pm

    All of the tips are good, but I especially like that you pointed out the importance of accountability. When a business person is the sole owner of a business, I believe that lack of accountability plays a major role in procrastination. I often suggest that if the owner does not have an official board of directors, that he/she set up an advisory committee. Although the committee may not have an official function, it does serve as a means for accountability for the business owner.

  9. Ian Brodie | Professional Services Consultant on July 8th, 2008 7:04 pm

    #1 was “the one” for me – action notes. Great idea. I read a lot (an awful lot) of books and take pretty extensive notes. But then it’s so painful to have to go over the notes again to figure out what to take action on – much better to take these note “live” as your reading – either as well as or instead of your normal notes.

    I started doing it with the current book I’m reading and it;s working well – thanks!

    Ian

  10. Russell Hancock on July 8th, 2008 10:42 pm

    This is a really great article. I have to find a way to make myself accountable each and every day. I like the idea of rewarding yourself if you get your work accomplished in a timely manner.

  11. John Szram on July 9th, 2008 3:52 am

    Thanks for the tips Terry. My problem is I’m too easily distracted but I’ve implemented something that helps.

    I’ve recently set up seperate user accounts in Windows that act as different environments to work in. I have one set up for research, one for content creation and one for syndication and marketing.

    In my content creation area I’ve removed links to email software, instant messaging, Skype etc. basically all distractions and everything other than links to the programs I use to create stuff e.g. OpenOffice/Camtasia/Powerpoint.

    This removes a good deal of the temptation to “just check your email” or “just check your stats” since you either have to log off or hunt around your hard drive to find your program. This is usually enough of a hassle for me to stay focused!

    It also means my browser toolbars are less cluttered as I have these set up with only the relevant icons/bars/favorites for the tasks at hand. Hope this helps others like me.

    John Szram

  12. The Chronicle of Coaching - News of the Week - July 10, 2008 | Welcome to The Coaching Commons on July 10th, 2008 8:05 am

    [...] for this trend is the 2007 requirements by the Joint Commission on The Accreditation of… 7 Steps to Overcome Procrastination July 7, 2008, By Terry This could be a coach you work with or it could simply be a business [...]

  13. Geoff Robertson on July 11th, 2008 1:04 am

    As always Terry you deliver sound advice. It only took me 4 days to respond to this post!!! Not that I consider commenting on your blog unprofitable, it is just that as per point 5, I was off doing more profitable things.

    Geoff

  14. Mark McWilliams on July 15th, 2008 10:32 am

    I too get easily distracted with the slightest thing! If you look at it this way, then I’m into too MANY things! And what I mean is that if I’m chatting to someone on MSN or Skype regarding a problem or issue with what I’m working on, then I get the answer and we almost move straight onto another topic.

    This almost means that one minute I’m writing a new chapter for a product and the next I’m ‘playing’ around with WordPress Themes and trying to improve my technical skill. While this is only an example, it’s almost how it works!

    Yesterday I finished my new blog design at Mark-McWilliams.com – And I’m glad that it’s finished, cause I’d go back and forth changing things ALL the time and would never settle for what I had. From now on it’s just concentrating on providing quality content! :D

    John Szram’s idea about the different user accounts, is fantastic! It’s not something that everyone would do, but if it works for you then stick to it.

    Speaking about computers, I’d recommend that you make sure you keep your PC clutter free! Now I’m guilty of this, and it all didn’t help when I first got started. (I literately downloaded everything onto the PC and it’s just built up and up!) – I need an external hard drive and a new computer. Every single day I’m cursing it, because it goes so ssloowwwwww and pops up all kind of errors.

    Anyway, enough of my rambling Terry! :P

    Thanks
    Mark

  15. Waken | NetBizSimplified on July 30th, 2008 7:48 am

    Arh!! Point 2 accurately described me. I have fear to risk what I’m now enjoying. Getting our of this comfort zone is perhaps the most difficult thing I’m facing now.

    But I’m moving now! Slowly yet steadily.

    Waken

  16. Neil Adams on August 6th, 2008 1:16 pm

    Great words of wisdom Terry.

    There ae times I feel that I’m the worlds worst procrastinator.

    Your point number 5 is what really hits home with me, but by following your advice in number 4 will really help me over come that.

    Thank you for passing on your vast knowledge that works.

    Neil

  17. tony on October 5th, 2008 4:11 pm

    thank you good advice

  18. Teen Blogger on November 3rd, 2009 1:58 pm

    I think writing a action plan for everything yuor going to do in a day would be very helpful.

    I think I’ll need to start doing that.

    Also i need to get distracted a lot less.

    Thanks.

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