Overcoming Procrastination - Focus on Starting

May 28th, 2008          Email This Post        Print This Post

I know when I have a boring task, I just don’t want to do it. I just don’t want to spend time on something so mundane, even though it’s necessary. However, once I start a routine - e.g. flossing my teeth, I finish cleaning my teeth easily. Once we start, we get over the inertia. The hardest part is often starting.

Why is this? Paradoxically, we find it hard to start because we have our mind on doing the entire task - on finishing. To combat this cause of procrastination: start on something - without the commitment of finishing.

How can you take advantage of this? You can make the “starting” seem less threatening. If you have trouble starting to exercise, change into a real exercise clothes first. Decide to wash five dishes, and see where that goes.

Go find something to START on!

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