If I take a course, I get things done, but...

[Dannyboy1]

Any of my own goals, I procrastinate to no end. That's always been my biggest obstacle. How do I put the pressure on myself???

[Smarky]

You know, I so hear you! The last time I was super productive was college and why? Because things HAD to get done. I hated it honestly, there were some really awful times and late nights when the deadline came, somehow things just got done though.

That's what's missing from all this time management stuff, really it doesn't matter what system you use, none is really better than the other, it's just a way of being organized, but it is not a way of actually getting things done.

I'm back in that situation again right now cause I have two things I need to get done ready for the end of the year and I feel the pressure, it's really making me wanna scream, however things are getting done better than they have been all year!!

Perhaps this is an intreasting read for you: Scott H Young » The Art of the Finish: How to Go From Busy to Accomplished

Perhaps if you commited to a deadline for doing your list?

[z1freeride]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

Any of my own goals, I procrastinate to no end. That's always been my biggest obstacle. How do I put the pressure on myself???

You haven't imprinted your goals into your subconscious belief system.

I would suggest taking a look at Robert Anthony's Advanced Formula For Total Success.

[Smarky]

Originally Posted by z1freeride

You haven't imprinted your goals into your subconscious belief system.

I would suggest taking a look at Robert Anthony's Advanced Formula For Total Success.

Please can you tell us more about this book, what it means and how it relates to the problem?

[AttractIt]

Hi DannyBoy,

If you cam tell more about the goals I think we will get more help,
like, what kind of goals do you have, you don't want to do them,
or you are basically a one who procrastinate things to do,

There are all kinds of solutions, but I think you should take the one who'll suit you,

I can tell you from my own experience, that first of all I'm trying to set goals that I want or I know it will help me to get something, eventually I want or need,
Than I use all kinds of tools to be highly motivated when I'm doing them,

Cheers,

Be helped in order to help

[z1freeride]

Originally Posted by Smarky

Please can you tell us more about this book, what it means and how it relates to the problem?

The book actually, IMO, could relate to the majority of the problems we encounter. I also really enjoy the first chapter of 7 Habits by Covey (Paradigm = subconscious).

No matter how inspiring or motivating an article/speaker/book/website is, it cannot cause permanent change. When we set goals, we feel "inspired" or motivated to change some aspect in our life. Also, willpower alone cannot cause permanent change.

We've created our own paradigms and installed belief systems into our subconscious for a very long time through self-talk (positive or negative). It is from our paradigm/subconscious/internal belief systems that are actions spring forth. You may have some belief patterns that prevent you from becoming what you want and thus achieving the goals you set.

This is why New Year's resolutions hardly ever work. People try to change their actions before their internal belief systems. After a few weeks, they will revert back to "auto-pilot" which is where they were initially. Instead, change the auto-pilot first...

I do not necessarily advocate positive thinking because it usually ignores reality. However, recognize reality and examine your present state of awareness. In Robert Anthony's book he calls it Right Thinking.

The steps he suggest to imprint successful belief patterns (ch 6 & 7). He goes into a lot more detail but here's the gist:
1. Affirmation. "I choose to find it easy and enjoyable to…" Fill in the blank.
2. Visualize. Visualize yourself how you want to be.
3. Attach a positive, successful emotion to that image.

Repeat those 3 steps everyday, multiple times a day and your actions will naturally change because of it.

Anyway, Robert Anthony does a much better job at explaining it than I do. But I truly believe it is has helped me with my goals (this past year) and is continuing to do so.

[Ninja]

When you procrastinate, it's usually for a reason. I did some soul searching and found that I have two main reasons:

1) "if I start on this task now, I'll risk finding out I can't complete it because I lack knowledge or skill."

and

2) "if I start now, I'll be busy for hours and I won't get to do anything fun anytime soon, so it's better have some NOW while I still can."

Once I found out about this, it was easier to work around. If I couldn't do a task, I would find out about it sooner or later, so I decided to get it over with... often discovering that I had underestimated myself, or overestimated the "gigantic" task. And I began scheduling "in reverse": rather than planning my tasks, I planned my playtime and for some reason that worked perfectly!

[TheStrongerSelf]

I actually have the same problem. As soon as i work on my own goals i tend to procrastinate a lot, especially the parts that i don't like to do but have to be done.

I am trying to counter that behavior via a public journal where i keep track of my goals and what i am doing to achieve them. This seems to work really well for my consistency in taking action, even though currently only 5 people read that journal =)

It's all in the mind ...

I think it's working for me because i am kinda abusing the fact that i care way too much about what other people think about me. So i am making my progress public and it has done wonders for my consistency and procrastination problems.

[Gazzali]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

Any of my own goals, I procrastinate to no end. That's always been my biggest obstacle. How do I put the pressure on myself???

Hi Danny

In the first place, you have to make conscious effort of the things you want in life...perhaps you may wish to read this


cheers
gazzali

[Christian223]

Besides all that has been said, and reading Steve's blog, try EFT link at my signature, it really works and i know because it did for me, i am much more productive now after working with EFT, im sure it will make a difference for you too, good luck.

[Ezza]

Originally Posted by Ninja

And I began scheduling "in reverse": rather than planning my tasks, I planned my playtime and for some reason that worked perfectly!

This is called an "Unschedule" - basically, you plan your pleasure and fit your work in around that. It's useful because the people who are most productive are the ones who make time for relaxation/fun/socializing, rather than the people who try to drop all that stuff and try to work 100% of the time (which seems like you might get more done, but it winds up being counterproductive).

The term "unschedule" comes from "The Now Habit", by Neil Fiore, a book I highly recommend if you suffer from procrastination.