Everyone has aspirations or goals they want to achieve. However, a lot of people never achieve them because they either keep postponing their goals or simply let them wither away. The obvious costs are loss of income, poor relationships, frustration, resentment and the opportunity to live their dream life. This often happens because, as Buddha said:
“The trouble is you think you have time.” And this very complacency erodes the time you have.
So, how do we create a more purposeful use of time?
1. Set exciting goals –
Do your goals create a burning desire? If not, you are probably chasing dull goals. Having goals that excite you create the adrenaline rush to push past obstacles including viruses and achieve the impossible.
2. Face your fear of failure –
Perfectionists become procrastinators because they are scared to create something imperfect. Or, some people simply just fear success, as it might bring more responsibility. But remember, the financial, physical, emotional and spiritual consequences of inaction are huge. And anything negative, like fear, when faced up to, diminishes in strength. Hence, don’t be afraid of your fears.
3. Dismiss distractions –
Eliminate all distractions that are aimless and energy-zapping. Make each moment count and align always reward yourself after completing a task well done.
4. Delegate –
Sometimes we procrastinate because we are not good at a task. Remember we are all good at something, but not everything. If you are not good at something and do not see the value in learning it, delegate it to someone who is. This way, you free up your energy for more important tasks.
5. Eliminate unnecessary items –
Eliminate things that you can avoid or are able to delegate. Then, prioritize your remaining list in order of importance and create short time-bound deadlines. If the tasks look too big, break them into bite-sized chunks, focusing on one task at a time. This helps you to treat your working time as a limited resource rather than a bottomless pit. It keeps you focused and inventive.
6. Purge laziness –
Laziness is a symptom and not the cause of inactivity. Find out why you are feeling lazy. Revisit your exciting goals and get into action aligned with your inspiring goals.
7. Develop your willpower muscles –
Exercising your willpower is like exercising a physical muscle. You build it through consistent practice. Start by making small commitments and ensure you consistently practice them for at least 30 days. Once you stick to a practice for 30 days it will establish a neural pathway in your brain and make your commitments seem effortless.