Reginald Cuffee

 

Do you have dreams, goals, and desires that you want to achieve in life, but you aren’t taking the necessary action to create them?  If you answered in the affirmative, you probably have encounter one of the Ego’s tactics that keep you stuck in your current comfort zone. 

What is this tactic that the Ego uses to stop you from taking action and getting what you desire in life?  It is called Procrastination.

Procrastination is the intentional habit of avoiding, putting off, or delaying taking action that will bring you closer to what you desire.  In fact, it is the polar opposite of power, and it manifests in many different forms such as excessively watching television, surfing on the internet, sleeping, playing computer games, social activities, etc.

I don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, but procrastination is one of your worst enemies for living a prosperous life, and it is the difference between barely surviving and thriving in life.  It steals your youth and keeps you trapped in the reality of one day or someday, but if you haven’t noticed, one day and someday isn’t on the calendar.

If you are ready to overcome your habit of procrastinating, here are my top 7 ways to conquering this habit, so you can start living the life you desire.

1. Make A Commitment To Yourself

If it is your intention to overcome procrastination, you must make a choice that you will no longer accept inaction.  Say it out loud or better yet, write and post it so you can see it everyday.   “I choose to take action on my dreams, goals, and desires.  I am choosing to create my dream life, and I am doing it NOW!”

Great work!  You’ve taken the first step to overcoming procrastination by making a commitment to yourself!  Now hold yourself accountable because you deserve to have the life you desire.

2. Make Health and Fitness A Priority

If you are unhealthy and out of shape, you will probably be lethargic because your energy levels are low.  Without good health, you are less likely to have the energy needed to do what is necessary to make positive changes in your life.  So make it a habit to eat foods that boost your energy levels,  get sufficient sleep, exercise three or more times a week, and meditate daily to connect with God.

 3. Set Mini-Goals & Complete Them

Setting mini-goals for yourself will keep you in action and heading in the right direction.  Furthermore, as you accomplish these mini-goals, you will remain motivated to take more action to achieve your major dreams, goals, and desires. 

It is not necessary to make this the mini goal process complicated, so keep it simple by selecting targets that you can accomplish each day. 

It is best to write them down your main goals or desires. Then write three tasks you will complete each day that will lead to the achievement of your goal / desire.  Complete the first task before you work on the second task, and complete the third task before you move to task three.  If you fail to complete any tasks in a day, move the uncompleted tasks to beginning of your list and start with them on the following day.

You can apply this process any area of your life.  For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds you don’t need to do it all at once.  Simply make it a goal to lose the weight.  Next, pick three tasks for each day that will help you achieve the goal.  On day one, your list can be as follows:

A. Choose exercise (i.e. biking)

B. Check bike for proper maintenance and operations.

C. Ride bike for 30 minutes today.

This simple process of setting mini-goals will keep you on task and help you avoid procrastinating.  With this process, you don’t have to focus on the big picture of losing 20 pounds.  Instead, focus on completing the 3 tasks each day. 

4. Visualize Your Life Without Procrastination

Take a few minutes, close your eyes, and visual your life five years from now.  Imagine that you are still procrastinating on your dreams, goals, and desire as you normally do now.  Really see yourself continually delaying taking action whether it is to start your new business, develop a blissful relationship, get in shape, spend time with your kids, or whatever your dream are now.  Imagine yourself keep saying “I’ll do it someday”. 

Now open your eyes.   Are you still working at a job you don’t enjoy?  Are you still lonely?  Are you still out of shape? Did you like the picture you saw?  If you didn’t like it, change it starting NOW.

Close your eyes, and imagine in your mind’s eye that you are taking action and feeling the benefits in your life because you are not procrastinating on your dreams.  Really make mental pictures and/or movies of the life that you want.  See what you want as if you already have it.

Now open your eyes, and begin to act as if you’re person of action.  We all categorize ourselves as many different things.  We call ourselves skinny, fat, loud, quite, outgoing, shy, tall, short, active, inactive, etc.  What you call yourself is who you are being in the moment. So be a person of action.

5. Overcome the Control of the Ego

The Ego is that little voice in your head that makes excuses for you.   It says things like “I don’t have time for this” or “I do it later”.   Your Ego is a saboteur from within.  If you listen to it, you will never take the necessary actions to manifest your dreams, goals and desires. 

The best way to overcome the power of the Ego is to reprogram your subconscious mind using affirmations and meditation.  As you mediate, you will make contact with your Higher Self, which can provide inspiration and guidance to manifest what you desire.

Another thing you can do is stop lying to yourself.  If you say you will do something, keep your word because your Ego is listening.

Let me ask you a question– what do you call a person who says they will do something, but fails to do it multiple times? Most people will call this person a liar.

Guess what? If you don’t keep your word to yourself, your Ego will know you as a liar and person who can’t be trusted.   So, say what you’re going to do, and do it.  No exceptions.

6. Reward Yourself

Once you start taking action and completing tasks, reward yourself by giving yourself something that you want, even if it is just acknowledge that you succeed. 

Even better than just acknowledging your success, do a fun activity that you enjoy.  It could be as simple as taking your spouse out for ice cream or yogurt or going for a cruise on the Bay.  The important thing to do is reward yourself because Ego likes rewards.  As you reward yourself, you are reprogramming your Ego, and it will do anything to continue getting the rewards. 

7. Just Do it!

Have you seen the Nike commercial on television?  The message of the commercial is “Just Do It”, or as one my mentor says, Who cares you’re not in the mood. “Just freaking do it.”

So Always Act Now!  No more excuses!  Seize each moment and take control of your life by starting with what is easiest.  That way you experience immediate success, which will give you the fuel and motivation to take on larger tasks.

If you follow these suggestions, you’ll be well on your way to ending the procrastination habit.  If you’re procrastinating over doing any of the above suggestions, then remember that life is the biggest deadline of all.

Life is what happens while you wait around for something to happen.

No more waiting for someday.  Do it NOW.

 

Namaste,

Reginald

written by Reginald Cuffee