Setting New Rules

Procrastination is as much a part of professional life as presentations, networking, and early morning meetings. We've all struggled with it at one point in time and there are always those tasks that just keep showing up on the to-do list, week after week (after week...and so on). So why do we procrastinate? And more importantly, how can we stop? According to Dr. Kevin Gyoerkoe,
clinical psychologist and coauthor of The Worrier's Guide to Overcoming Procrastination (Jaunary 2011, New Harbinger), plowing past procrastination can be as simple as re-writing a few faulty rules.

Re-writing your Rule Book to End Procrastination: Old Rules vs. New Rules from The Worrier's Guide to Overcoming Procrastination

Consciously or not, we all follow our own rule book in life. We have a set of rules that has led us to put things off and avoid tasks. To make long-term changes, it's crucial to rewrite your rule book. By changing your rules, you'll make yourself much less vulnerable to procrastination and find those once enduring to-do list items cleared away, making space for new projects and goals.

Old Rule #1: Avoidance works. If a situation feels bad, I should avoidit. It's bad to feel bad. Feeling anxious means there's something wrong with me.

New Rule #1: I can face it. I'll do what I need or want to do regardless of how I feel. Feeling anxious at times is normal and doesn't mean something is wrong with me.

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Old Rule #2: Perfection is possible. High standards motivate me. I can't live with mistakes. I won't feel good unless things are right.

New Rule #2: Good enough is okay. I realize striving for perfection leaves me paralyzed, so I am for a standard that allows me to move forward.

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Old Rule #3: Failure is unacceptable. I can't tolerate failing. If I'm not sure I can succeed, I shouldn't try. Failing is shameful.

New Rule #3: Failure is part of life. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Failure is a normal part of life. If I'm falling short somewhere, I'll take steps to boost my skills.

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Old Rule #4: It should feel right. There is a right time, place, and mood for getting things done. I need to wait for these moments.

New Rule #4: The time is now. I can accomplish a lot even if I don't feel perfectly focused or motivated. If I have a few minutes, I can get started now rather than wait until later.

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Old Rule #5: I shouldn't have to. If something is boring or unpleasant, I shouldn't have to do it. I deserve to have fun.

New Rule #5: Let's get it over with. Sometimes I need to do things that I don't necessarily want to do. The quicker it gets done, the sooner I can have fun.