4/18/2012

Procrastination Redux

What a boring blog, writing about procrastination.  Again.  Au contraire, this is the conclusion to my Eat That Frog! post.  Despite my procrastination tendencies, I actually finished the book.

Brian Tracy, the author of Eat That Frog! gives us 21 techniques for overcoming procrastination, but because you may be a procrastinator too and never actually get around to reading it, let me share some of what I gleaned.
  • Write down your goals.
  • In the evening, plan for the next day and write down what you need to accomplish.



  • Prioritize your tasks.
  • Determine the three most important tasks and do those before any of the rest.
  • Do the most difficult and most important task first. 
  • Stick with that task until it's completed before moving on to the next.
  • Clean and organize your work environment and keep materials you need to do the job accessible.
  • Make a list of all the steps needed to complete the job and do the first step now.
  • Continually upgrade your skills and knowledge, don't let your lack of ability hold you back from achieving your goals.
  • Identify what you do well (at your job) and put all of your energy into doing that thing the best you can.
  • Identify what it is that holds you back and determine how to change it.
  • Put pressure on yourself and set deadlines, make task completion a kind of game.  
  • Working long hours doesn't produce more results, productivity diminishes after eight or nine hours, so don't pull all-nighters.
  • To stay motivated, keep a good mental attitude.
  • Look for solutions rather than spending time complaining.
  • Don't become a slave to technology.  Turn off all of your electronics sometimes.
  • Arrange your day so you have large chunks of uninterrupted time to complete tasks.
  • After planning and prioritizing begin working quickly and try to avoid interruptions.
Tracy indicates this is a book that teaches you to overcome procrastination, but really, it is also a book about time management and improving your productivity at work.

Like any good advice, it only works if you use it.  I have a lot of frogs in my life that I need to eat so it's time for me to put all of this information to work.








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9 comments:

  1. I can be a procrastinator and loved this post! So much I had to add it to my A.D.'s FAV 5 of the AtoZChallenge. http://adduling.wordpress.com/

    Have a wonderful day!
    A.D.

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  2. Nifty tips and congratulations for finishing that book :)

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  3. Sorry if this goes through twice... didn't look like my comment posted.

    Fellow challenger stopping by. Procrastination is middle name, so I could definitely use some of these tips. Thanks for sharing them :)

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    1. Now that's a coincidence. Procrastination is my middle name too.

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  4. Excellent tips. I work from home so I find it very easy to procrastinate. I always can find something that needs doing around the house rather than work. Some of the tips you listed can definitely help.

    Great posts,
    Michelle :)
    www.michelle-pickett.com

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    1. So glad you found it helpful. I admire people who can focus on whatever it is they're doing at the time, I find it was to easy to get distracted.

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  5. Useful tips for everyone. Procrastination is my enemy numero uno. Thanks for this post, and thanks for your visit.

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  6. It sounds like a good book. Thanks for the review for those of us who may never get around to actually reading it. Dropping in from A to Z, it's nice to meet you.

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