Expert Advice Tip Sheet -- Overcoming Procrastination -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Overcoming Procrastination

	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

ACT AFTER YOU PLAN

start with a written plan of action to avoid getting distracted
keep your plan simple and straightforward
start with the one thing you must get done today to feel productive
should be a manageable item you can complete in 10-15 minutes
break the day up into a number of "action sessions" for other tasks
balance the time spent planning with time spent creating or doing
avoid over-planning -- another method of procrastination
before ending your day, spend 10 minutes reviewing your progress
take time to plan your actions for the next day

BE VISION-DIRECTED

your tasks should match your values or purpose
if not, you will find it hard to summon the energy to tackle them
bring each task into congruence with your basic mission
if you can't, take it off of your list

BITE-SIZED PIECES

don't put any "to-do" on your list that takes more than 30 minutes
if it takes longer, it's actually a series of smaller "to-do's"
break each step out and list it separately
you don't have to tackle all the steps of a project in one sitting
spread a large task out over several work sessions
you will see greater progress as you check more items off your list
you will avoid getting bogged down in one large task or project

DECIDE TO SCHEDULE IT

determine how much you can do or tolerate at a time
don't push yourself too far or you'll get bored or frustrated
plan these project "pieces" into your daily activities
set a "completion point" for accomplishing each small task
completion points give you an end in sight to look forward to

GOOD ENOUGH IS GOOD ENOUGH

don't try to do everything perfectly
perfectionism often causes procrastination
perfectionists would rather put it off than do an incomplete job
rather than perfection, aim for progress
any small step toward completion is an accomplishment

JUST DO IT

do the worst job (or part of the job) first and get it out of the way
once you tackle the part you are dreading, the rest is a breeze
stop spending time planning and just jump into doing it
set a time limit -- "I'll file papers for 5 minutes"
alternate unpleasant jobs with tasks you enjoy
delegate out items you can't make yourself do

PLAN AROUND INTERRUPTIONS

interruptions tend to occur in identifiable patterns
notice when interruptions occur, by whom, and why
take steps to prevent those interruptions before they occur
if they can't be prevented, learn how to delegate to someone else
if they can't be delegated, learn how to delay until you are finished

REMEMBER TO MAKE IT FUN

make the project and environment as pleasant as possible
play music, open a window, have a cold drink, etc.
give yourself the best tools and work space for the project
take a few minutes to organize your work space
a clean desk allows you to focus without visual distraction
it's only a chore if you think of it as a chore

STAYING MOTIVATED

find an "accountability partner" to track your progress
schedule a regular time to check in with a friend or colleague
rewarding your accomplishments encourages productivity
give yourself a break, a treat, a nap -- whatever is a reward for you
reward every step along the way, not just the end result
the bigger the accomplishment, the bigger the reward

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and NAPO Golden Circle Member. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile.

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