Turning procrastination into motivation

• Are you a procrastinator?  
• Do you drive yourself crazy, knowing you have tasks to do and yet not getting down to them, perhaps until you're under real pressure?
• Are you one of those people who only seems to work well with the deadline breathing down your neck - you get the job done, but always just in time and with a heap of stress involved?

To transform procrastination into motivation, focus on more than the task in hand.  In terms of the task, you almost certainly know what needs to be done - and yet for some reason you're not getting down to it in a timely manner.  So it's not just the task itself - it's your mindset!

You need to ramp up the motivation to get the job done.  Easy to say - but how - if procrastination is your middle name? 

1. Create a vivid picture in your mind of you completing the job with plenty of time to spare.  See the people around you, delighted that it's completed so early.  See the smiles on your clients' faces.  See the satisfaction in your own face, relaxed and confident.  Create this picture clearly and brightly in your mind - make it real.

2. Add sounds to this vivid picture.  Hear the congratulations from those around you.  Listen to the words of appreciation from your clients.  Hear yourself laughing with your partner or family when you get home, relaxed and knowing that the job is complete.  Listen to what you're saying to yourself - wow, that wasn't so hard after all and it's a great feeling to have it done - on to the next project with time in hand!  Turn up the volume!


3. Focus on what you'll feel when you've completed the job with time to spare - relaxed, confident, satisfied.  Really experience these feelings so that they make the picture complete.

By creating this mental picture and stepping fully into it so that you're experiencing the vibrancy of bright colours, great sounds and sensations, you're building new neural pathways that will make motivation to achieve your goal absolutely assured.  You can use this technique with any task, large or small - enjoying the completed goal in advance will give you the motivation and inspiration you need to get it done ahead of time.

Try it and see for yourself - right now - make the decision right now to adopt this technique whenever you have a task that would previously have stressed you - the new 'you' will move swiftly, calmly and confidently into action - right now!

Active Life Matters provides active coaching for outstanding success in business, life, health & fitness.  See our website for more information.