My 2009 Resolution to Stop Procrastinating

Every New Year, I make a laundry list of New Year's resolutions. They usually are small things I want to improve on (spending less; eating healthier; getting more exercise; and the like). But in 2009, I'm going to tackle a big problem I've faced for many years - procrastination!

Yes, I could put this resolution off until 2010, although I know I'll be better off the faster I can stop procrastinating and dragging my feet and getting stuff done. Here are my five steps to stop procrastinating:

1. Make use of the 5-minute rule. This means when I have a project that needs to be worked on, I'll tell myself I will only work on it for 5-minutes. The project is less intimidating that way. Usually after the 5 minutes are up, I'm on a roll and will keep working. This acts as a way to "trick" the procrastinating mind into getting stuff done.

2. Prioritizing tasks and projects. I have found that the tasks/projects that are a priority, are the ones I procrastinate on most. By prioritizing all the stuff I need to do, I can then apply the 5-minute rule to get started on the most important item first, leaving the least important/easiest for last.

3. Organize and maintain a daily to-do list. A big frustration is when I have a lot to do, but have a hard time remembering what needs to be done and the details of each item. This will quickly turn me off to most projects and I will procrastinate. By organizing and maintaining a to-do list I will be able to see what needs to be done at-a-glance.

4. Stay on top of long-term and larger projects. A big part of procrastinating is having that dark "cloud" hanging over my head, when I know I need to get something done, but the looming deadline makes me freeze - like a deer in the headlights. Breaking down projects into manageable chunks turns something intimidating into something that can be finished easily using baby steps.

5. Utilize an accountability partner. This is a person I will designate to keep me on track with stuff that needs to get done. Having someone to be accountable for is very important because it adds another layer of urgency to a project/task. It also helps to have someone who can lend a sympathetic ear when I need to vent about a project, or someone I can bounce ideas off of to get a project off the ground.

Procrastination is perhaps one of the hardest habits to break. It is something that has been instilled in most people early on in life, so it takes a lot of "undoing" to break the procrastination cycle. To really take control of my procrastination problem, it will probably take about a year.

Like every New Year, you will also make some resolutions. Just as I did in this article, don't just write the resolution down, but also write down specific steps that will help you accomplish your goal. This will force you to think your resolution through and will provide you with a "roadmap" later on in the year, when the resolution may not be so fresh in your mind.