7 Steps to End Procrastination Get Started on Your Money Making Journey

We all face many of the same problems in achieving our goals. Procrastination is one such obstacle to success. It results in wasted time and energy, missed opportunities, and poor performance. With procrastination comes increased stress and feelings of failure.

Procrastinators fill their time with diversions and unimportant tasks that really do not advance their goals. They are busy being busy, not being productive.

Procrastination is a pattern of behavior that must be modified for a person to achieve his money making goals. Delaying or avoiding necessary tasks is the mark of a procrastinator. We always know what needs to be done and this awareness only adds more stress to our lives. Finding activities to do instead of doing the necessary task takes time and energy away from our true goal of a better job, a promotion and raise, or earning money in our spare time.

Possible Reasons for Procrastination

Psychologists differ in their definition of procrastination. Some view procrastination as simply a bad habit. Others believe it is caused by irrational thinking or is a “complex psychological problem” rooted in fear. The result is the same – tasks that can improve our financial well-being don’t get done.

We procrastinate when faced with difficult, inconvenient or intimidating jobs. Some people suffer from chronic procrastination; for others it affects only certain areas of their lives. Some people procrastinate in their professional lives, others in their personal lives. Procrastination can be caused by a set of problems either separately or in combination.

1) Disorganization

Disorganization and procrastination are closely linked. Distractions such as getting sidetracked and off-course, and forgetfulness are also parts of disorganization. Lumping tasks together as if they were inseparable and incapable of being divided into small, manageable tasks is another problem procrastinators face.

2) Fear

Procrastination is also motivated by fear. The fear and the source of the fear must be addressed. There is fear of failure, fear of success, and fear of change, any of which may be subtly or not so subtly keeping us from achieving our goals, keeping us in one place instead of moving forward. This is inertia.

3) Perfectionism

Many people want to do things perfectly or not at all. Fear of not doing it perfectly can lead to avoidance and procrastination.

4) Ignorance

For some people, a lack of knowledge on where or how to start the money-making process leads to procrastination. Information overload also prevents people from taking the first steps because there are so many viable options available.

Making the Commitment to Change – 7 Steps to End Procrastination

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. Analyzing our behavior can help us to understand why we procrastinate, why we delay or avoid doing the important things first. Procrastinators must recognize what is important to them.

Get Organized

Buy a simple appointment book or phone app to keep disorganization and forgetfulness at bay. Use it every day to keep track of where you need to be and when, and what you need to do. This tactic also lets you know when you have free time available

Create a To-Do List

Make a list of the important tasks that need to be completed to achieve your goals. Set priorities. Start with the most important and urgent tasks then work your way down the list.

Add Meaning to Every Task

Make a project meaningful. Relate it to goals. List the benefits derived from completing the project. Remind yourself why you are doing a particular task and the rewards you will receive upon completion.

Share Your Intentions

Make your intentions known. Tell family, friends or colleagues and make a contract with them or with yourself to complete the task by a certain date.

Start with Small Step

Divide each project into the manageable steps that are necessary to complete a task. Set deadlines for each step of the process.

Do the Hardest Part First

For each project start with the most unpleasant part of the task and do it in small doses – 15 minutes or less. You can use a timer

Give Yourself a Reward

Reward yourself upon completing a project. Don’t minimize your accomplishment. You did it!

Other Tips

  •     Set daily money goals, even if it’s just $1 a day at the beginning.
  •     Plan for work and for play. This reduces distraction because you know fun is ahead.
  •     Have a daily “To Do” list and check off tasks as they are finished to get a feeling of accomplishment.
  •     Manage your time by focusing on one task at a time, even if it’s only for 10 minutes. This keeps you productive

Achieving your money goals takes time, but the first important step is just starting. Whether your goal is to start a blog, become an affiliate marketer, open an online store, write for money, or do mystery shopping, the only way to accomplish your goals is by ending procrastination.

You will be amazed at how much more productive you can be when you take that first small step and continue the momentum. That is how Spare Time Income Streams came into existence. I first decided what I wanted to blog about, then I choose a domain name, looked for WordPress themes I liked, etc. I know it wouldn’t happen overnight, but I knew it would happen.

Perhaps having faith in your abilities also helps you finally stop procrastinating.

What are your goals for making money?

And, if you like this post, please share it with your friends and followers.

Tell Us What You Think