CALL US TODAY! (847) 998-1118
ADDRESS: 2601 Chestnut Ave, Glenview, IL 60026
EMAIL: contact@chestnutsquare.info
CALL US TODAY! (847) 998-1118
ADDRESS: 2601 Chestnut Ave, Glenview, IL 60026
EMAIL: contact@chestnutsquare.info
Procrastination is a habit that afflicts nearly all people at some point, and perhaps most frustrating is that we usually know the task we’re avoiding would actually make us feel better once we complete it!
Whether it’s doing the dishes, finishing this year’s taxes, or finally moving into that new home or senior living community you’ve been thinking about, procrastination adds unnecessary stress into our lives—and frequently delays events that would bring us greater health and happiness.
Here are 10 scientifically proven tips for overcoming that daunting task you've been avoiding:​ ​
1. Pick Your Poison
The key to beating procrastination is focus. We often give ourselves too many things to do and become overwhelmed. Start by choosing just ONE thing that you’ve been procrastinating and make a commitment to complete that task in the next week.
2. Start Today
Once you’ve narrowed it down to one task, you must take immediate action. If it feels daunting or you don’t think you have enough time to complete the task, do the Five-Minute Miracle below.
3. Five-Minute Miracle
This technique involves asking yourself “What action can I take in less than five minutes TODAY that moves this forward even the tiniest bit?” Once you’ve identified a small action, set a timer for five minutes and spend it working on the task. Research shows that once you start something, you’re much more likely to finish it. This is due to a psychological phenomenon called the Zeigarnik effect, which says that unfinished tasks are more likely to get stuck in your memory. Remember: small action is still action. Five minutes can make all the difference.
4. Do a Power Hour
A Power Hour consists of putting away all distractions and working in concentrated chunks of time followed by short periods of rest, in order to harness the optimal performance of your brain and body. Science has discovered that our brain naturally goes through cycles with peaks and valleys. To maximize your output, it is vital that you honor these peaks and valleys by balancing concentrated, focused time with relaxation and integration.
5. Kill It With Kindness
Research shows that the more you can forgive yourself for past procrastination, the more likely you are to overcome your current procrastination and take action. Practice self-compassion when thinking of your past experience procrastinating.
6. Have a Procrastination Power Song
Pick a song or genre of music that really gets you energized, and play it whenever you want to tackle something you’ve been procrastinating. The brain likes to have a trigger to create a new habit, plus you’re more likely to follow through when you’re feeling upbeat.
7. Get Under the Hood
Sometimes, it can be helpful to understand exactly why you’ve been procrastinating a specific task. Are you afraid of something? Maybe you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Fill in the sentence “I’m avoiding this task because…” or “I’m avoiding this task because I’m afraid that…” and see what shows up. Identifying your fears can help you realize the monsters in the closet aren’t as bad as you think.
8. Let It Go
Most people put way too much on their To Do list. One way to stop procrastinating something is to decide you’re never going to do it. What can you take off your to do list? Try crossing something off your list simply because you realize you don’t really need to do that thing...ever. Give yourself permission to let it go.
9. Make a Bet
It can be very helpful to have an accountability buddy. One fun way to take this a step further is to have a bet with a friend or loved one. Give your accountability buddy a date and time within the next week and tell them in order to redeem the agreed upon prize, they must check in with you. If you haven’t completed your task by then…you owe them whatever you bet!
10. Make It Fun
Another way to motivate yourself to complete a task is to create a reward that you will give yourself once it’s been completed. What can you treat yourself to once you’ve finished this task? Research shows the human brain responds to reward stimulus and this can be a good way to create new habits.
For more information about Chestnut Square’s vibrant senior living community, please call
(847) 998-1118 or visit www.ChestnutSquare.info
ADDRESS: 2601 Chestnut Ave, Glenview, IL 60026 | PHONE: 847 998 1118 | EMAIL: contact@chestnutsquare.info