It’s a brand new year, 2010, can you believe it? I’m still in the habit of writing 2009 when it comes to the date.
I always write down the goals I want to accomplish in the beginning of the year, I believe it gives me direction and I am in the process of doing that now.
I wanted to share with you something else in this post, something that I believe is very important to my productivity or lack thereof and it is something that I can think most of you can relate with.
I realized that we are habitual beings, most of the things we do are habits and routines. Your habits and routines are what make you plus some other things like your attitude and beliefs.
In 2009, I was aware of these habits that I had, they weren’t obvious until I did some reflection. I am glad I did because I feel really good about the changes I have made. These changes are not easy at all but they are VERY necessary, and I refuse being held back because of my bad habits.
1. To Never Procrastinate.
This has been something that has been holding me back for a while now, to the point I was mad at myself. I remember telling a good friend that I procrastinate too much and she told me everyone does it.
In the past, I would have accepted this and felt better because it’s a human trait, which everyone does and I shouldn’t be bothered by it. NO, I don’t accept this answer anymore, I know everyone procrastinates but I don’t like it, it doesn’t make me feel good and I never compare myself to others especially when it’s a habit that I feel isn’t taking me forward.
So this is how I am stopping this habit. Every time I recognize I am procrastinating, I will automatically snap myself to what I’m supposed to be doing. It takes approximately 30 days to create a new habit and I make it a commitment, by February 7, 2010 that my habit of procrastination will be gone. I thought of what causes procrastination and I have included other goals below that help rid of this habit.
An important part of setting a goal according to Jack Canfield is to write down an Ideal Scene. This means once you have set a goal, write down ideally how your life is once you accomplish the goal. For example my goal is to never procrastinate again.
Here is how My Ideal Scene would look like. I am so happy that I am productive, I have been accomplishing so much every day, and that is because I got rid of procrastination. Every second is filled with a purpose, a direction and I am so focused. This has been the greatest I have ever felt because I don’t procrastinate anymore. I am very happy with myself and because of that I am succeeding so much and all my plans are accomplished.
That is an example of an Ideal Scene. It really makes me feel that goal is accomplished which motivates me even more.
2. Complete a task 100%
This is another important habit that I need to form. Considering I do most of my work on my computer, just think of all the distractions that are there. It is so easy for me to open up my web browser and click facebook, twitter or check my emails. The time I waste is countless and I have to stop this if I want to be productive. After I got my fix of whatever is distracting me, I forget what I’m supposed to do and I have to get back into the train of thought to complete that task.
By February 7, 2010, I will do my best to never get distracted again, if something comes up, I will write it down and give it my attention later. Since I’m focusing on important tasks at every moment I know to complete everything 100% before I move on. I set this goal yesterday and I already notice the difference, while I was typing this, my father called me to eat and I was determined to finish this before I ate, even though my stomach is growling this moment. It feels good to follow through and I will make sure this is a strong habit in my life.
3. Asking for what I want right away.
Not doing this has caused me stress, trouble and made things unnecessarily hard for me. I realized it was because I was afraid the answer would be no which is silly because I know rejection is a myth. I will write an article another time on why rejection is a myth but a quick breakdown: If you don’t ask for what you want, then you have nothing, if you do ask for what you want and you get a no then you haven’t lost anything. Therefore you lose nothing by asking.
By February 7, 2010 I will not be afraid to ask for what I want and I do this by asking right away. Note: The reason why I have set February 7 for all these habits is because it takes 30 days to form a new habit, every day I will apply these habits in my life and I believe by February 7 it will be instilled in me forever.
4. Give every task a time period
When I don’t set a time period for a task, i.e. Type up my article on habits from 3-4pm. There is no pressure to get things done. I waste so much time and there is no immediacy to get it done NOW. I didn’t give this habit 30 days because I’m doing it RIGHT NOW.
Note: Some things will take you longer than you schedule and some shorter, just give yourself a realistic amount of time.
5. Focusing on important tasks
I have always gone with the easier tasks in the past because I know I could accomplish them right away. It felt good to do these easy tasks because I felt I was being productive, one task I could cross off the to-do list, when really the harder tasks that I accomplish were the ones that would make me feel really happy.
Why? Because after I completed the easy goals I still felt incomplete, knowing that the real goals weren’t done. So starting NOW, I focus FIRST on the real goals that will take me further in life.
Ahhhh, that felt good. I have never shared this type of information about myself before and it did take a bit of courage. When it comes to offering advice that can potentially help you, I have no problem sharing that. I have imperfections just like you and remember these aren’t easy things to do, meaning that real change takes effort.
To Recap.
- To Never Procrastinate.
- Complete a task 100%
- Asking for what I want right away.
- Focusing on important tasks
- Give every task a time period
I know it already, that my life is about to go into overdrive with just these habits because it doesn’t matter what dreams, goals, aspirations you have. Without good habits, you aren’t going anywhere far.
Just do it one day at a time and you will see how effective you will be in your life.
If you have made any changes you would like to share please email me, I would be glad to learn from you and even share it if you’d like.
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