Simple Steps to Overcoming Procrastination

Concept for procrastination and urgency with torn newspaper head

If you are like most people, you might be tempted to put things off that you know you need to do. This is called procrastination. Unfortunately, people procrastinate so much these days. They unknowingly develop a lifestyle of avoidance instead of breaking through.

Procrastination is a lie that makes you to believe that avoiding something is more beneficial than actually doing it.

We all procrastinate to some degree and sometimes putting things off sounds a lot more fun than doing them. But procrastination is deadly when it becomes a lifestyle, because we can start to feel like we’re victim to our circumstances or the demands of our daily lives.

Here’s how some people ineffectively try to deal with procrastination:

You sit down, making a long list of everything you have been putting off for the past few years, and prepare yourself to get it all done in one weekend. You remember that you need to “seek first the Kingdom of God,” so you start out by praying…but the phone rings, so you answer it, talk with your friend about the list and ask him/her to pray for you.

Back to the list. You pour yourself a cup of coffee and read the list over. Now you are really getting discouraged that your life is so out of control. So you have another cup of coffee and a cookie (to feel better) and get back to your list. You pray again, but are interrupted by having to go to the bathroom because you drank too much coffee.

Back to the list. You begin to cry and let it all out. Crying is good, right? Now you notice that the grout needs cleaned on your countertop in the bathroom. At this point, scrubbing the grout sounds like more fun than the list.

Back to the list. Oh, it is time to pray and give it all to God, but you are exhausted because it is your first real day off in weeks. Since number one on the list is to get organized, you think there might be a TV show on with organizational tips, so you grab a bag of chips and head for the couch!

That is an extreme and funny example, but it does reflect the negative cycle people fall into when attempting to manage procrastination.

The key is don’t get overwhelmed. Try this:

  • Break things down into small tasks. Clean one box out of your closet, not the entire closet.
  • Find ways to do the small tasks over time. Allow several days to do one box at a time instead of the whole entire closet, top to bottom in one hour.
  • Learn to combine two things into one. If you want to pray and you need to exercise, then pray while you exercise.

Procrastination is a destiny killer. By learning to do small things over time, it is much easier to accomplish things you have been putting off.

Real life take-away solution

So, what’s one thing you’ve been putting off that if you did it, you know your life would change in some way? It doesn’t have to be anything major. Write it down.

Now, what is one simple step you can take towards that thing you are putting off? Maybe it’s read a book, write an email or text to someone, research pricing, download an application, etc.

Before the end of today, I want you to do that step. If you do this on a regular basis, small things over time will build. You will accomplish an amazing amount with a relatively small amount of effort. The key is consistency.

Blessings,

doug-sig
 

Doug Addison

Doug Addison is a prophetic dream interpreter, speaker, writer, and coach. Doug travels the world bringing a message of love, hope, and having fun! His unique style helps open people to discover their destiny and experience God’s supernatural love and power. Doug is an award-winning author of seven books. He and his wife Linda live in Los Angeles, California.

Doug Addison

Doug Addison is the founder and president of InLight Connection. Doug is a prophetic speaker, author and coach. He is best known for his Daily Prophetic Words and Spirit Connection podcast and blog. Doug’s message of love, hope and acceptance reaches people around the world! His powerful, lighthearted style of teaching and coaching helps open people to discover their spiritual identity and personal destiny as they experience God’s supernatural love and power. He and his wife Linda live in Los Angeles, California where they are impacting the arts and entertainment and media industries.

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  1. Reply

    This is soooooo good! Have you been stalking me Doug? Your funny scenario was oddly familiar! 🙂

    • Wes
    • May 13, 2014
    Reply

    Well…I have Personal Development God’s Way, but have been procrastinating at page 100, not really trying to list positve & unique characteristics about myself. Thank you for the resources and encouragement and love that flow through your ministry Doug.

    • B.Carfizzi
    • May 13, 2014
    Reply

    Doug, that one thing you said, do one small thing, from your Personal Development book is huge! It has helped me tackle a house full of clutter! Even health issues. Its my rule of thumb now for anything I need to get done. Thank you Doug, you are priceless!

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