FINANCES : How to beat Proctastination

Last week we saw how Procrastination can impede us from reaching our financial goals. Procrastination is to delay and put off doing what could be done now, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness often associated with feelings of guilt. We procrastinate because we want to be perfect yet we think perfection is not possible for us to achieve. So we wait until when we think we are in a better frame of mind, or circumstances are more favorable. Some people say, “I can’t save money because I earn so little or because my expenses are too high.” Nobody has money just lying around calling to be saved.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Last week we saw how Procrastination can impede us from reaching our financial goals. Procrastination is to delay and put off doing what could be done now, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness often associated with feelings of guilt. We procrastinate because we want to be perfect yet we think perfection is not possible for us to achieve. So we wait until when we think we are in a better frame of mind, or circumstances are more favorable. Some people say, "I can’t save money because I earn so little or because my expenses are too high.” Nobody has money just lying around calling to be saved.

They budget and their first expenditure of the month is paying oneself or saving (our topic for next week).

So how can we beat proctastination? Make a decision today to do those small little things that you have been putting off because "it is not the right time.”

Decide to take an action. Decide to do something about it. Begin with those things you have been putting off as soon as you decide to. Put away any fears or worries you have about acting.

Lock out all those little voices, "you cannot start saving, you cannot be rich, just aim at keeping your dull job and earning a salary for the rest of your life.”

Don’t make yourself feel productive when you are doing nothing important. Be honest with yourself, playing with the send/receive button of your Outlook mail box is not going to help you make a strategy about selling that new product of reading that huge report that has been lying on your desk for weekend.

If we have clear targets and do them before anything else, then we can enjoy our relaxation, without the guilt which comes with procrastination. You need to be single minded, and not allow yourself to get distracted by less important things.

If you do just one thing at a time, you can achieve it more quickly and with less hesitation. You should once in a while force yourself to make a start; even if the first attempt is less than perfect. Once we can actually get started we will find that confidence

If you fail to make start completely, find something about it that excites you. Forget about perfection. Just start doing it, and fix it later. When you accomplish a task, mark it out on your list with a pen.

It gives you visual confirmation that you are progressing. It is a small achievement that gives you a psychological boost towards your big achievements.

After a small achievement rest only short enough to relax but start soon enough before you lose you new momentum.

kelviod@yahoo.com