The Personal Development Checklist is a great way of gaining some valuable insight about your life and the way you want to live it.
Getting Started - 10 Tips to Beat Procrastination and Get You Up and Running
Do you have a project or task you simply can't get started on? Do
you recognise that feeling of dread when you think about it; that
overpowering compulsion to do any other activity so long as it's not
that one thing? We've all been there, but you can beat your
procrastination.
Here are 10 great tips to help you on your way.
1. Check your planning.
If you don't plan or haven't planned
properly your task me seem way to big - you get a feeling that it's
simply not doable. So how good is your plan?
2. Break down your tasks into smaller 'chunks'
(yes - the
technical coaching term is 'chunking down'). When the chunks are too
big our imagination simply can't see a way through the task. Keep
chunking down until you suddenly say to yourself - hey, I can do that
bit now!
3. Practise the action you're holding back from.
Telling
yourself that you are only practising is a brilliant way of building
your skills, making your mistakes and taking the pressure off. And
often before your realise it you've moved easily from practice to the
real thing.
4. Confront your fears.
Exactly what is it about this that
is putting you off? It's worth spending a little time on this. Once you
know what's scaring you it becomes much easier to tackle. The next four
questions should help.
5. It's actually a job you hate doing - so how can you make it more enjoyable - and what are the rewards for doing it?
6. You don't know enough to get started. This is an important one. If there genuinely is more groundwork to be done, it's important for your success that you do it. So, how can you plan and start the groundwork?
7. What if I'm not good enough? It's true that there are things we might not excel at. Pavarotti, for instance, may not be a natural at hang gliding, break dancing or the world pogo championships. Do any of these mean that Pavarotti is 'not good enough'?
8. What if it doesn't work? Good question. If it's worrying you - then make a list of the consequences of failing - but you should also make a list of the consequences of not starting.9. Embrace the idea of failure. This is a big one - changing our attitude to the word 'failure' from negative to positive can seem a little crazy at first. In fact it's incredibly empowering to have a healthy attitude to failure. Go back to the previous tip and add in all the positives that come out of having tried. At the very least, you'll have learned an awful lot for next time.
10. Finally - find your motivations.
What are the real benefits of doing this project or task? Ask yourself these three questions:
a. What are the benefits of finally getting started?
b. What will the benefits be of completing?
c. How much better will I feel about myself when it's done?That's it. If you can't start on the project itself - start on these tips and see where it gets you. The chances are that you'll be racing away before you know it.
* * *
Andrew Leigh helps people achieve fulfilling life direction and wellbeing, as well as working with those wishing to find, exploit or follow their own creative voice.
You can find a free self-coaching guide, coaching tools and articles at his website http://www.pathwayscoaching.co.uk