Doing what you’re supposed to, when you’re supposed to sounds
pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? However, the majority
of Americans today struggle with the simple tasks of
staying focused, keeping on task and finishing projects on time.
As soon as you start putting things off, running your life by the seat of your
pants, and getting sidetracked by less important priorities, you can quickly
become overwhelmed and forced to dive into the deep end of procrastination. To
keep from drowning in the waves of falling behind, playing catch up and missing
deadlines, you have to grab onto the life preserver known as planning ahead to
cruise toward a life with less stress, reduced distractions and more
organization.
Become
a List Maker
It’s easy to put off things you don’t enjoy and let time get away from you as
you’re pulled in different directions at work, home and school. The simple act
of writing things down can be a great tool for clearing your mind, organizing
your thoughts and keeping you moving forward toward accomplishing your goals.
Prioritizing the items on your list also can help you pinpoint what tasks need
to be completed first and which ones can wait until later in the day or week.
By having a continually evolving list, you minimize the risk of having things
slip through the cracks and falling into the vicious cycle of procrastination.
Break
It Down
As workforces continue to shrink and responsibilities at work and at home
continue to grow, you can quickly find yourself with too much on your plate and
no direction on where to start. When a big project seems too daunting at first
sight, break down each of the main tasks into smaller, actionable items that
are quicker and easier to achieve. By concentrating on fulfilling each small
task that will ultimately lead to successfully completing the larger project,
you can better manage your time and focus your energies on accomplishing
something. This approach also helps reduce the temptation to delay starting
large personal or professional undertakings.
Schedule
Downtime
In a society where there is an overwhelming tendency to over-schedule and
over-commit, you can very quickly become overwhelmed and stressed out about how
you are going to finish everything on your to-do list. To minimize the urge of
procrastinating when your calendar becomes too much to handle, take a step
back, slim down your commitments and simplify what has to be done. Also, make it
a point to include personal downtime in your regular routine to give your mind
a chance to take a break, revive and rejuvenate.
Minimize
Distractions
With text
message, e-mail and social media alerts ring-ding-dinging from your phone and television, video games, hobbies and friends
and family members constantly fighting for your attention, it can be a miracle
to get anything done during the day. To minimize procrastination and the stress
that it can cause, you have to manage the many daily distractions in your life
so you can concentrate on what really matters to you. Turn off your electronics
during meetings and project work times. Take a break from updating your
every move on your social media sites. And reserve special time for
hobbies, family and friends. Make every minute count by planning ahead of your
distractions so you can give the task at hand your full undivided attention.
Master
the Art of Creating a Master Plan
The key to creating a master plan that works in both the short term and long
term is to include as many details as possible for each element in your plan
and to communicate your schedule to everyone in the family. When everyone in a
household is on the same page and knows what to expect in the upcoming days and
weeks, you can more effectively manage busy schedules. To keep your master
schedule from causing undo stress, though, it is important to build some
flexibility into the grand scheme of things so you can adjust and accommodate
for inevitable changes and spontaneous opportunities that can pop up in life.
If you wait until the last minute to plan or if you become married to your
planner, you can forget things, miss the joy of living in the moment and
ultimately create more stress in your life than you need. Plan ahead to
minimize stress and procrastination but plan well so that you can enjoy the
fruits of your labor and focus on celebrating your life accomplishments.
With all the pressures of the fast-paced we all live, many of us forget to make time for ourselves. If you feel like “you” are being left out because of the daily grind, seriously consider making an appointment with Jodi at Inner Focus Massage for some real “me time.” Jodi will find those stress points and give you a chance to relax and recharge. Call with questions of to set up an appointment at 701-238-8257. Check out her website too: InnerFocusMassage.com