How To Overcome Procrastination

Procrastination is unfortunately something that a lot of us suffer from regularly, whether it's just an occasional ‘put off ‘til tomorrow' or a recurrent lack of drive and motivation. Procrastination can often hold us back from what we really want in life, and unfortunately, it's something that can crop up at any time of life, no matter who you are. A lot of people often assume that procrastination is simply being lazy, but this isn't always the case. Often, feelings of tiredness, hopelessness, panic or even depression can cause us to put things off and avoid reality completely.

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Procrastination is a trap, and once we've fallen in it can be very difficult to get back out, so why do we do it? Well for many people, procrastination is simply a way of coping with emotions and physical symptoms that often come with depression, often caused by panic. The unfortunate truth is that often, a ‘snowballing' effect can happen, you may be stressed and under pressure at work, then causing you to panic, which may then trigger depression which in turn can make thing very difficult for you to do. However it happened, it's important you get out of it, otherwise you may find that nothing will ever get done because you're too miserable and negative to bring yourself to do it.

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There are 5 main ‘style's of procrastination, you may feel that you fall under one mains style, or a mixture.

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Organization and keeping track of things is very difficult
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You fear people disapprove of you, or fear disapproval itself
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Important tasks seem futile, and so overwhelming it feels stupid to even attempt them
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Hostile feelings towards someone, and punishing them by putting things off
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Routines and Schedules cause you to feel rebellious

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These styles of procrastination can often also overlap in one of four different themes: Self Doubt, Discomfort Dodging, Guilt Driven and Habitual. Self Doubt is people who feel that there are rigid standards about how certain things need to be done and often fear they will fail, they often second guess themselves and will delay taking action against procrastinating. Discomfort dodging is when a person will avoid activities that will cause them anxiety, discomfort or even distress, however, often by dodging the activity, feelings and tension don't go away, and instead mount due to the avoidance. Guilt driven people often feel extreme guilt when tasks go done, but instead of acting on their guilt and working, they instead procrastinate, avoiding the issue and the guilt completely. And finally, Habitual people are people who have found procrastination to be an automatic response within their lives, they have put things off so often, that they feel it is just a part of them now, and there is nothing they can do to change it.

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But there are things you can do to change it, and get out of your procrastination cycle once and for all. The first thing is a simple idea, but it works all the same – make a list! It sounds ridiculous, but it does actually work. Just go to your local stationary store and get yourself a large notebook, and make lists and plans for yourself to stick to, prioritize everything on your list in order of importance, and allocate times for these tasks to be done (1 hour, 2 hours etc). The key to battling procrastination is organization, by allocating specific times; you're ensuring that you have enough time to do everything and get it done! If a task is particularly big, then split it up into manageable time slots, making sure that progress is steady, and you're not giving yourself too much to do.

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However, you also need to create some time for yourself, or ‘reward time'. Reward time gives you an incentive to get things done, because you know once it's done you can have a break and reward yourself for your hard work. Procrastination is a tough mountain to climb, but once you reach the top you're free to reap the rewards of an organized, healthy and happy lifestyle, as well as the true relief and satisfaction that comes with having nothing weighing you down!


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Mind Management

Root cause of tension....

In the present world all are talking about the work pressure, tension etc which all can be avoided if we are able to understand the root cause.

If we analyze all the cases in detail that are causing this so called "tension", "pressure" etc, we alone are the culprit. But then we are taken away by the materialistic point of view & simply putting the blame on others.



Our human body is the most complex where in no one is able to understand how all the functions are synchronized with in no time. We all are gifted with decision making capabilities, but then still when it comes to critical situations at which a decision has to be taken; we try to play a safe game so to avoid criticism. The saddest part is not escaping from the game, but commenting on the action behind the scene.



We are all hung up in the head. This is the main problem & the one & only solution for that is get down from the head into the heart & all problems disappear. All the problems are created by the head. Mysteries remain but problem will disappear.

All the experiences that happen in life are like the small clouds; they come & go& are not worth paying much attention to. One should always remember that they are the sky, the clear blue infinite sky & then no clouds can distort you. Take no notice of such small clouds & they will never come uninvited.



We should be able to live our life in such a way that nobody is harmed neither by our actions nor by our words. We should live in a creative way, with skill & art. Live in a sensitive way & never become attached.

Root causes of all depressions are expectation & anxiety. The only solution is to remain detached.

The example of bee is worth mentioning here in this context.

The bee gathers honey from all kinds of flowers but it remains unattached. It will go the rose, to the marigold, to the lotus etc. It will move from flower to flower gathering honey, but it is not attached, it does not cling.

Another beauty is that, although the bee gathers honey from many flowers, it never destroys any flower. It collects what so ever it needs, but in such an artful way with such skill that the flower remains absolutely the same.



Life is never static; it is in a constant moment. So if we cling to anything, it will bring misery. When there is a beautiful sunset, let us all enjoy that, but do not cling on to it. It will soon disappear while watching itself. Then the night will fall, but let us not worry about that, the night has its own beauty. (Shining stars will decorate the sky).

So if someone has been attached to the beauty of the sunset, they will be crying because it is no longer there, & in that crying they will miss the beauty of shining stars appearing the sky.

We all are living in a world surrounded with anger, with jealousy, with possessiveness, with ego. One should refrain from all these gross elements because all these are destroying so much energy, wasting many good opportunities. All these energies should be transformed into good actions by helping others & serving the society there by adding more joy leading into peace.





There is a systematic process which is ongoing in whatever actions we perform.



Step 1- Creating a feeling:-

This is the basic step & naturally all the actions that are following us are because we have creating a feeling towards the object in the very first glance. That is why the famous statement "First impression is the best impression" holds always true at all times. But then there will be lots of questions in all your mind that will be against this logic. Let's wait & see……..

For example:-

When one person appears for the interview, & if he is directed neatly from the front desk, he automatically creates a feeling in his mind that this place will provide a good working atmosphere. But then in reality it might not be appealing to all. Still if the mind has created a positive feeling in the first moment it will really help to perform well in the interview too.

Another example:-

When i see a flower in the garden, i am creating a feeling that this is the most beautiful flower & is adding value to the garden as such. This feeling is re-emphasized many times & our mind accepts that feeling. Even there can be situations that this plant might be in the garden from a very long time; still we might not have noticed the same. But once the mind creates a feeling it will strongly keep on hold.

Step 2 – Thought:-

Once our mind accepts that feeling, it encourages us to think more. We will start to compare the color, look, appeal, fragrance etc of the flower with other & re-assures that this is the best flower in the entire lot. This thought strengthens the idea that this is the most beautiful flower. Even this is very much applicable at all our daily life.

We might be planning to buy some clothes for birthday & we will create a feeling that, I should buy both cool denim and a sexy check shirt. Now even in the statement itself how can I state that denim is cool and check shirt is sexy? Because I have created a feeling in my mind that this will be the best & is in fashion. Now this thought will be literally bothering me all the time & i will be thinking as to from which store I should purchase? Which brand will be better? How good I will be in that and all.

Whatever matter you take all these plays the same role. It can be anything starting from setting a wakeup call in the morning to choosing your better half.

Step 3- Attitude

This thought really shapes our attitude towards that object or the idea that we have already conceptualized. We always feel & compare whatever we see & feel with that of the idea which has been framed in our mind.



Step 4- Habits

These attitudes will be clearly reflected in our habits. This can be better explained with an example.

Example:-

If a person has created a feeling in his mind that alcohol consumption will help him/her to relieve from all his tensions, then that feeling will create a thought in his mind that drinking is the only option for a stress free life. This thought will be inscribed deeply into his mind & he/she will have an attitude that all drinkers will be tension less beings. Even in the reverse dimension, all non-drinkers will have a stress full life. Even we can very often hear from many people that "Life is a waste if you are not drinking. You will not enjoy the beauty of life". If we seriously analyze that statement, does that add any value? Such attitude frames his habit & he/she will feel that daily will be so boring if at least two pegs are not consumed.

The enjoyment that they are proclaiming is purely again a feeling that we are creating in the mind. Even if such a comfort is felt, that is purely for a short time.



Step 5- Personality

Such habits form part of our personality. The habits are not evolved suddenly; we have made up our mind so strongly that it takes a very long time to unwind the bad habits & re-learn the good ones.

This can be explained with an example (positive dimension).

Example:-

If a kid has been brought up in a family where they used to help the deserving persons, it helps the kid to have an understanding that service to mankind should be our primary duty. This will not be grasped by the kid in a day or a week's time. The parents or the elderly members will be explaining as to why they are doing such good deeds and all. During the course of time, the kid grows & in his mind a feeling might have come across that like his parents he should also help the needy with in his limit & capacity. Such a feeling will lead to thinking & he will indulge in a thought process as to how he can help the needy. This will create a frame work & his attitude towards life will change & his mind always wishes to do good things. This clearly can be depicted from his personality. He will be approachable to all & always will have a helping mind at all times.









Conclusion:

Most of us live our lives in the world of time, in memories of the past & anticipation of the future. Only very rarely do we touch the timeless dimension of the present- in moments of sudden beauty or sudden danger, in meeting with a lover or with surprise of the unexpected.

Everybody is trying to remain a separate entity: trying to protect themselves, defend themselves. We are not separate, no man is an island. We are part of the continent, so it's baseless & useless to fight with the continent.

Let us all dissolve into the whole, drop the ego. We have to forget ourselves that we are separate, let us make ourselves a part of the whole & feel & visualize how beautiful & sweet it is.

Hell & heaven is within oneself. We can be the hell & we can be the heaven, it is always us & it is our decision. Heaven is not somewhere else; we have to create it just as we create hell. It is a psychological state. Once we release that we are the creator there is great freedom.

We are ready to travel miles & miles in search of bliss. We make ourselves ready to visit many pilgrimage & temples that are very very far off & that prayer is nothing other than a business or a trade. In that sense we all are traders. We always expect something in return. We go to the temple & pray & give donations, but in return we pray to the god to give this & that. This is nothing other than a trade. We are business minded.

The temples & sacred places are having positive vibrations & is a good place for meditation. These places will help us to uplift our mind-set to a higher level. But for that the temples will only guide us, we only have to make our mind & proceed on with the journey.

A true seeker is not after knowledge, he is after knowing. He wants to learn the very process of learning. He is not at all interested in arriving at the conclusions. He is not interested in goals. But he is very much interested in the journey as such itself.

The very idea of a goal is created by the lazy mind so that one can rest once it is achieved. The people who are interested in goals always will be interested in short cuts. A true seeker has no desire, no ambition. He will be interested in this moment, & will enjoy every now & here.

The ego is the only problem & then it creates & thousand & one problems. It creates greed, lust, anger, jealousy so-on & so forth. The people will go on fighting with greed, with anger, with lust. But it's futile. Unless the root is cut, new branches will be coming up in geometric progression.

We all have to serve the mankind without any expectation & the dissolution of the ego is the greatest revolution. If we service the needy one's now, it is pretty sure that we will get the return of all the good deeds at a later point of time. But let us not work for that with such expectation.


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