WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:09.160 Helping leaders motivate their people to a higher level of performance through strong human relations, 2 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:13.359 team building, and goal of giving. This is the seven Minute Leadership 3 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:22.800 Podcast with your host Paul fella Aldo. Hello everyone, and welcome to the 4 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:29.079 Seven Minute Leadership Podcast, Episode one sixty eight, and today I want to 5 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:34.960 give you some tips about overcoming procrastination. So, procrastination is an issue that 6 00:00:35.079 --> 00:00:38.960 affects all of us at some point of our lives. Some are prone to 7 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:44.320 it long term, and others may encounter it from time to time. Sometimes 8 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:49.960 referred to as being in a funk. Procrastination can hinder your personal growth and 9 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:56.399 your individual achievements. It's the habit of delaying or avoiding tasks and in general, 10 00:00:56.439 --> 00:01:00.280 the things you need to do or want to do. It can lead 11 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:06.359 distress, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled potential. If we can understand the underlying 12 00:01:06.439 --> 00:01:12.400 causes and implement effective strategies, we can break free from the bonds of procrastination 13 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:19.799 and truly have a life of productivity, purpose and fulfillment at home and at 14 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:23.760 work. So let's start with identifying the root causes. Why do I always 15 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:30.200 put things off? So you have to start by exploring the reasons behind your 16 00:01:30.200 --> 00:01:37.439 procrastination and have a general awareness on what your exact patterns of procrastination are and 17 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:44.079 dive deeper into your underlying emotions, fears, or even your own self limiting 18 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:48.640 beliefs that may be contributing to the behavior. You have to figure out is 19 00:01:48.680 --> 00:01:53.319 this in every Sunday thing or the night that your favorite TV show is on? 20 00:01:53.480 --> 00:01:59.319 Kind of thing that general procrastination awareness will allow you to address those root 21 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:07.920 causes head on. Define your objectives because clearly defining your goals provides a sense 22 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:13.479 of purpose and direction, and it makes it easier to prioritize your tasks and 23 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:19.599 stay motivated. And we've talked about smart goals before, those that are specific, 24 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:24.000 measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound goals that go in step 25 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:29.120 with what you're trying to accomplish. Okay, next commercial break, I'm going 26 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:32.120 to get the laundry out of the dryer and take it upstairs. At halftime, 27 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:36.719 I'm going to put it away. That's what I'm talking about. This 28 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:42.759 level of clarity helps you to make progress and reduces the chances of procrastination. 29 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:47.039 And have you heard of this thing called chunking? Well, you have to 30 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:54.159 embrace chunking ladies and gentlemen, and it's pretty simple. So large tasks can 31 00:02:54.199 --> 00:03:00.080 be overwhelming, which leads to procrastination. Break down your goals into smaller, 32 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:07.439 more manageable tasks chunks. Like I mentioned about the laundry earlier, this technique 33 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:12.960 allows you to focus on one step at a time, making the process a 34 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:17.560 little less intimidating. Chunking away at tasks is a great way to build momentum 35 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:25.039 for accomplishing larger tasks. Prioritize and plan you have to create a roadmap for 36 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:31.120 yourself. Start by developing a plan that outlines the task required to achieve your 37 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:37.120 goals, whatever they are at home or at work. Prioritize them based on 38 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:40.840 their importance and urgency. And this is where things like to do lists, 39 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:47.319 calendars, or project management apps will help you organize and track your progress. 40 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:53.719 Decision fatigue is a real thing, but when you have a structured approach to 41 00:03:53.759 --> 00:04:00.759 tackle your tasks efficiently, decision fatigue is less likely to occur. And another 42 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:05.240 great role of thumb to follow is utilize the two minute rule. If a 43 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:11.560 task takes longer, I'm sorry. If a task takes less than two minutes, 44 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:16.240 do it immediately. When you tackle small tasks immediately, you prevent them 45 00:04:16.279 --> 00:04:25.240 from accumulating and becoming bigger tasks and establish accountability for larger, more important tasks. 46 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:30.319 Share your goals and progress with a trusted friend, family member, or 47 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:34.639 a mentor who can hold you accountable. And I said larger tasks because none 48 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:39.800 of your friends care if you put your laundry away or not, but their 49 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:45.120 support and encouragement can motivate you to stay on track and follow through on your 50 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:50.839 commitments. Procrastination is a pesky little thing that we all deal with, but 51 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:57.680 it can be overcome. You can break free from the cycle of procrastination if 52 00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:02.759 you understand what's causing it and what your plan is to avoid it. Procrastination 53 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:08.360 is also contagious to others, but so are the habits to avoid it. 54 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:14.560 Remember, every small step you take today brings you closer to the extraordinary life 55 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:19.279 you envision for yourself tomorrow. This has been the seven minute Leadership podcast, 56 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:25.360 and I thank you for listening. For more Paul Fellovaledo podcasts, visit Paul 57 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:26.720 Fellovaledo dot com.