Self Motivation Tips

How to Overcome Procrastination and Complete that Task You Do Not Want to Do

Self motivation is a tricky thing. It's seems you can never find it when you need it. Instead, you're stuck with procrastination - that awful condition that weighs you down and keeps you focused on that thing you don't want to do. If you are anything like me, then I bet there is a chore or task that really needs your attention, but you are stalling....dragging your feet....delaying what needs done.

Procrastination is something best put off until tomorrow. ~ Gerald Vaughan

In all honestly, here's the truth about your situation and self motivation. Are you ready? The truth is.....you don't want to do the task for whatever reason.

There is an underlying issue that is causing you to delay. Sure, you're probably sarcastically thinking, "No kidding, Sherlock. I could have told you that!" The point of bringing this up is that you need to approach the situation differently. Instead of saying, how can I spur myself into action? Ask yourself what is causing you to lack interest or incentive to get that task done. There can be a number of reasons. Don't ignore them. Instead, grab paper and a pen and jot those reasons down.

Self Motivation Ain't Gonna Appear Just Because You Want It To. Do This to Help....

If you really do not want to do a task, first seek alternatives. Can you pay someone else to do it? Yep, I said it. Some things are simply not worth fretting over, especially if you can do better things with your time.

Personally, I hate cleaning. I have the utmost respect for those who clean for a living. With that said, I'd rather spend my time doing something I like and then pay somebody else to clean.

Now, everyone doesn't have this luxury. Just be willing to seek other alternatives. For instance, if the task is part of your job, then see if you can switch with a co-worker. Offer to perform a task for them, if they do that dreaded task for you. For example, I hate looking at every little single detail, but I have a co-worker who loves it. He'll do my unwanted task, if I do his...high level planning and summaries, which I love. See what I mean?

Maybe your dreaded task is non-work related. If you have kids, delegate to them; 0r see if you can swap the task with someone else. Let's say you're a student and you have to study....study with a partner. It'll help. The goal is to make the situation easier on yourself.

Anyway, you get the point.

This Isn't Just Self Motivation Theory....This is Real and It's Happening to You. So.......

This may go against advice you've read in the past. But I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't spin your wheels on things you don't like to do if you don't have to. This also means examining tasks in your life that you drudge along performing. Just recently, I closed a new Website I started because I really wasn't that passionate about the theme. I couldn't sustain self motivation. I was dreading working on the Site. Although I spend several months getting it up and running...I decided to cut my loses and move on. Sometimes, this is your best option.

Okay, you can't dump the task. It must be done. So, now what?

What's In It For You? Here's What.

Sometimes, the only way to find self motivation is to give yourself an incentive. Fire up interest using the art of deflection. Figure out what reward you will give yourself for completing the dreaded task. For example, while I hate cleaning, I love the shower afterwards. It makes me feel refreshed - like drinking a cool glass of water to quench my thirst. Therefore, when I do clean, I focus on the enjoyment of the shower afterwards. Now, if the task is bigger, then I gotta give myself a bigger reward. Now, think of your task. How can you appropriately reward yourself?

Last Resort. Suck it Up or Get Sucked Down in Procrastination

This next suggestion is not new to you. But here it goes......get your butt in gear and do it. Get that task over with and feel the weight lift off your shoulders. Brian Tracy says it best in his book Swallow That Flog. If you push yourself to get that task over with as soon as possible then it's done....it's over. You can move on.

While I reckon none of this stuff is rocket science. It provides reminders that self motivation isn't simply theory. It takes some sort of action to overcome procrastination - be it gimmicks or good old fashion passion and interest. Whatever that thing is that will fire you to get your task done and quit puttering about....find it. Use it. Do it.

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