Are you someone who is filled with enthusiasm and determination to make positive changes in your life during January every year and see them unfilled through December? Do you see your old habits and comfort zone becoming stronger and stronger as the months pass by? Do you tell yourself , “I have a whole year ahead of me, so I can start this later ?”
You are not alone.
What is procrastination ?
Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks, activities, or responsibilities that are important to you. For a moment’s pleasure, people often compromise on their health, career, relationships etc. Overcoming procrastination requires self-awareness, discipline, and effective strategies. “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy not only does have an intriguing name, but also describes 21 effective ways which will help you achieve more by stopping to procrastinate.
“If you put off everything till, you’re sure of it, you’ll never get anything done.”
– Peale Quotes
The Frog
The term frog refers to the most important and significant things on your plate. – the one which is difficult, complex or may push you out of comfort zone. It could be a task or a critical decision, or something which needs your time and focus. Brian says If you have two tasks and you don’t know which one to choose first, always choose the one which you think is difficult for you. Imagine the positive tone it will have on your life, after you completing it. It will give you the momentum to accomplish other tasks with greater ease. Few simple yet effective rules are depicted below.
1. 80/20 Rule
- ‘Is this task in the top 20 percent of my activities or in the bottom 80 percent?’ – Ask yourself this question every time you start something new.
- Note down all the tasks you are doing in a day and prioritise them. Discard the least prioritised task and focus only on superior 2 to 3 tasks which will create real impact. The tasks which will have severe consequences on your career, work, relationship or health etc. should be on top priority. Social media, OTT platforms, emails, and messages are the least important – if missed something from these, nothing is impacted.
2. Breaking down tasks and allocating time
Once the tasks have been finalized, divide further into smaller tasks and give a deadline to them. Having a deadline will motivate you to work towards the completion of it and once the task is done, it will release a small number of endorphins which will give happiness and satisfaction. You will feel proud and motivated to do the next task.
3. Plan Properly
The author has mentioned the Six-P Formula. It says, “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. Therefore, always plan your next day before going to sleep at night. Create a time table for the next day’s task. This will train your brain for the next big day subconsciously while you are sleeping and once you wake up, you will automatically start to work. It will help save time the next morning and you can finish the task faster.
4. Upgrade Skills Regularly
Technology and competition are increasing day by day. To be able to cope with the ever changing world and staying ahead we need to improve our key skills on a regular basis. Leveraging newer technology will reduce amount of effort on a particular task.
5. Always think of consequences
Every work you are doing today will have an impact in future. If not immediately, in a few months or few years the consequences will be visible. Successful people are those who can think of the consequences of the work they are doing and they start planning their today accordingly. They don’t spend time faffing around. They spend their time wisely and constructively.
6. Follow your routine
Having a routine will make sure you develop consistency and discipline. You will get good at time management as well. You need to set self-appointment in your calendar, and block high-value, and highly productive chunks of time for completing important tasks.
7. Keep distraction away
For you to stay focused and calm, you need to detach from the technology and communication devices on a regular basis. Remember to treat technology as a servant, not as a master.
8. 3 Ds to Achieve anything
Decision, Discipline and Determination. With these 3 anything is possible.
9. Practice Creative Procrastination
Be selective and prioritise everything. Say no to anything that is not a high value for your time and life. Remember “The difference between high performers and low performers is largely determined by what they choose to procrastinate on.”
Conclusion
These principles can be applied to both daily and long term activities. For example if you want to be a great public speaker, this could not be achieved over night, but you plan the course by applying the steps we discussed above. Remember, the “frog” is very subjective and can vary from person to person. You can apply principle of eating the frog to overcome procrastination and enhance your life.
Buy a copy of “Eat that frog!”
www.the-storyteller.in 
Leave a comment