Wait!   Before you procrastinate on reading this, here is my first quick tip (before we dive into the really powerful stuff)

My quick tip: 

***Remember that you are deciding to work on something now (although you secretly rather be watching The Real Housewives) in order to achieve a pleasurable result at a later time.***

Think of a college student who is studying and doing loads of homework to become a doctor. They might not find this too enjoyable now...but one day they will be thrilled with the later results of that MD (if that's their true desire!)

Same goes for us entrepreneurs right? You put the time and hustle into your business so you can achieve those desirable outcomes (freedom from a corporate job? More time with the kids vs working for someone else?)

But let's take it a step further, procrastination cannot be truly transformed until you get to the root of it.

There are 6 main reasons we procrastinate.

1) You Lack the Skills

2) Lack confidence. Have a Fear.

3) Unfocused-Easily distracted.

4) Too much on your plate/Overwhelmed.

5) Creativity or Writers Block.

6) You hate it!

Once you know the real reason you are procrastinating, you can then find ways to overcome those blocks.

So, what do you procrastinate?

Step One: 

For the next week, write down all the things you seem to not be getting to and on the other side of the paper, write down the things you seem to always accomplish.

Step Two:

At the end of the week, look at your list and see what REALLY is and isn't getting done.

Do you see a trend?

Are you always procrastinating when it comes to the marketing pieces of your business or the getting visible pieces? Is it anything that has to do with writing?

Again, getting to the core of what it is will get you closer to knowing how to fix it.

Here are the 6 steps to bust through procrastination once you know what they are and why you are doing it:

1) If you realize you simply lack the skills then:

Learn the new skill (marketing techniques, better writing skills, etc. or better yet choose to just delegate the task.

2) If you realize the procrastination issue is stemming from fear:

Get nitty gritty and work on that fear. Is it fear of being visible in the world, so you aren't reaching out to those people you know will make a difference in your business? Is it a fear of perfectionism ("I just can't send this out, until it's perfect!")? Enlist in some great books and reach out to a coach or mentor to help work through these underlying fears.

3) If it's lack of focus that gets you every time:

Try the Pomodoro Technique where you time yourself for 30 minutes and work like crazy and then take a 5-minute break. Give yourself rewards for accomplishing your set task (chocolate covered nuts after you write that email!).

4) If you just have too much on your plate and are feeling overwhelmed:

Break the project down into bite sized chunks and take a little action every day. Make shorter deadlines in between the big deadline (break the project into small projects with due dates along the way). Find an accountability partner to keep you accountable for these smaller interim due dates. Check-in with each other every 2 weeks.

5) If it's a true creative block that has got you:

Do some brainstorming. Take a break. Exercise, dance, move your body and get out of head for awhile. Reading a new book can spark new ideas.

6) And if you really just can't stand the project at hand:

Either time yourself (with a buzzing timer for 30  minutes) and just get er' done. Tempt yourself with a reward or simply delegate to someone who can do it for you.

Hurry, don't procrastinate, join us in the FREE MakeItHappenTribe.com where we keep each other on track and support one another on this entrepreneurial journey. 

xoxo,

Amber Kelsey