I'm certain you've all heard this advice when you've complained about wanting to start projects that you never seem to get around to.
"Well, just sit down and start it."
It's not bad advice. The "just do it" idea has been famously used by Nike with great effect for sales of their shoes. It doesn't take much energy to start doing something—just enough to swing one leg in front of another and start walking. We all know this, but why are we still—years later—just wishing about that garden we want to put in, that bedroom we've wanted to paint, or taking that dancing class we've talked so much about—instead of actually doing it?
Accordingly, here are some quick tips to help you figure out how to stop procrastinating and finally start on what you want to do:
1.) Find out why you want to do it. What exactly is it about this project that appeals to you? Wanting to paint your bedroom because you "hate the color" might be a bit too vague. After all, if you hated it that much, you would have done it by now. If you never go into your bedroom except to sleep, maybe it's not as big of a deal as you thought and not really worth your time.2.) What's in your way? Why have you been procrastinating? Procrastination is an interesting beast. It's more than simply being lazy or avoiding responsibility. Procrastination always has motivation behind it (ironically enough, that's exactly what you're looking for!). Take the time to sit and really think about why you are not starting. Are you too tired? Too busy? Do you have too much else you need to do first? Or are you really afraid? Be honest with yourself; fear is a very powerful instinct in all of us and directs our actions subconsciously. Indeed, you might not know you are really afraid. For example, if you aren't taking up your dream of dancing because you're really afraid of embarrassing yourself, that's a significant barrier to consider.
3.) Learn. One of the most inspirational things you can do for yourself is to sit and learn about it. Even if you're already an expert at what you want to do, just looking at pictures and videos of other folks doing the things you're interested in can be plenty to get you excited and inspired to start working with gusto. If it's something really worth your time and money to do, it's worth learning about and getting inspired over.
4.) Make a plan. Write out the stepsDraw out diagrams. Start writing out a journal of your feelings about the project, and any questions you have about your project. Physically writing your questions helps get them out of your head so the answers can follow. Write those answers down too—this helps you organize, improvise, and get it all together before you go out and spend money and time.
If you've done this much, congratulations—you've just started your project!
5.) Start small. It's really easy to fall into the trap of "I have to do the whole thing now," or to radically overestimate your time and abilities on a project. If you have time constraints from a busy career and home life, then starting small and keeping it manageable is the way to go. It's also best to start small if you are a novice at your chosen project. Take gardening, for example. It will likely be a disaster to try to plant an entire plot at once if you don't know how to care for it. Start with picking and potting just one plant and placing it where you want to go in your garden. Practice with it, make mistakes,, learn all you can about it. You will see if you really are enjoying taking care of it. If you are not, then the damage done is minimal. If you do enjoy it, add another plant and repeat the process. It won't be long before you have a thriving garden!
6.) Recruit. If your project is big and you need help, then ask for it. Talk to your significant other and tell them it's really important to you to do this. Ask your friends to come over and help you, and make them dinner afterwards as a reward. Hire a professional to come out and do part of the project along with giving advice. Hire a babysitter to watch your kids while you take the time to work on your dreams. Dreams are worth sharing with others.
7.) Make the time. If you're really having trouble finding the time, then you need to consider how your life is structured. Going small and simple is a good way to start. However, if even that feels like too much, then it's time to seriously examine your life and find the (often nonessential) stressors that can be delegated or eliminated completely.
8.) Rest and eat well. This might be a surprising step, but the foundation of all our activities in life is grounded firmly in our health. There is no point in signing up for that dance class you want if you're always too tired to enjoy it. Sleep and a good diet rich in whole foods like vegetables and lean meats will go a long way in giving you the energy to work and play the way you want.
These steps might seem like no-brainers, but that's the insidious nature of procrastination. It's like a thick fog that you can't see through. Our negative thoughts and emotions flood our minds and make us feel overwhelmed, anxious, and finally too tired and discouraged to the point where we go and do something else and forget about it for another day. The steps outlined here are some of your guides through that overwhelming cloud; you will find others as you go along. The most important thing to remember is that working on one step at a time is enough—the rest will come.
Before you know it, you will have "just done it!"
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