We all have something we should be doing. Whether it’s getting your paper done, calling a friend, starting that new hobby, or cleaning your room. We all procrastinate, even if it's something menial like a homework assignment or something life changing like losing that weight. I’ve come to terms that unless someone pushes me, I have a hard time getting off the starting line. If you’re reading this as a person who has been waiting to get something done, then think of me as a coach preparing you to get off the couch, gear up, and get your butt to the start of that race.
First, think about what needs to be done. How important is it? Level of important is always something that means a great deal to me. It’s very apparent that the higher level of importance leads to something getting done more quickly. The level of importance differs from person to person, but ultimately, you are the one who decides to get whatever you need done. Make any task important to you. What I mean by this is work hard at whatever it is to guarantee you’ll get it done. As soon as you label something “not important,” like filing papers, you’ll end up with a mountain that will set you back!
Second, think about how quickly you can get it done. If it’s a small task like cleaning your room, that could be done in a few hours. Take some time to organize and get to work. If it’s a task like losing weight, you cannot expect to see results after a day. This is where most people lose interest. We all want to see results fast, no matter what the task at hand is. This is where you need to be honest with yourself. You cannot put pressure on getting things done quickly because it simply will not happen. If a long-term goal is what you’re looking at, measure in weekly to see how things are going. Inspire yourself by aiming for it. Remember that quote your parents would tell you? “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” So don’t be hard on yourself and keep pushing.
Third, never give up. I know how cliché I’m beginning to sound but it’s the truth. Once you give up on yourself, you give up on your goal. Never forget how truly amazing life can be once you tell yourself how much you can accomplish. I know it can seem tough and trivial at some points, but some of the most influential people have felt the same way. Don’t give up because when you do, you may never try again. Resilience is key to success and without it, you may as well never try. Remember, what was the point of completing your task? Why did you start? Hold onto those answers and you’ll never feel the need to give up on yourself.
Finally, get up and start now! This is the most important piece of advice I can give you. Why are you waiting? What is better than starting at this very moment? If it’s losing the weight, then start by writing down your goal, plan your meals, or even head to the gym. If it’s starting a paper, then learn about your topic, get on your computer, and put Facebook away! With the right mindset, you can accomplish anything, so why put them off? Every single minute is a new chance to start over. You can transform yourself whenever you feel like doing so. So stop wasting your time and get on it. I believe in you and its time to start believing in yourself.
