How to Overcome Fear and Procrastination

To halt procrastination tendencies, you must first figure out where these tendencies come from. The pressure to achieve success can often lead one to procrastinate a task in order to avoid the possibility of failure. Procrastination stems from a mental game that people play in order to avoid completing activities that they either dislike doing or are afraid to do. By recognizing and confronting self-doubt, one can successfully overcome the irrational fears from which procrastination stems.

Things You'll Need

• Timer
• Planner/ organizer
• Therapist
• Journal
• Priority list

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Instructions

• 1

  Set a timer to keep track of the amount of time it takes you to complete tasks. This way, you can set aside an appropriate amount of time in the future to accomplish these tasks in a realistic amount of time.

• 2

  Purchase an organizer or planner. By writing down the tasks and appointments that you have, you will be sure to remember them and are better able to make plans around them.

• 3

  Confront your irrational fears. Often a fear of failure leads to procrastination, while actually completing the task that you need to accomplish provides you with a feeling of success. If you are unsure what these are, keep a journal. Write down every discouraging thought that enters your mind when you are preparing to face an unpleasant task or work situation.

• 4

  Consult a therapist. A therapist can help you to identify the root of your irrational fears and will be able to help you avoid having them in the future.

• 5

  Practice enhancing your confidence. Resist the urge to make negative comments or to have negative thoughts about yourself. Don't surround yourself with people who endorse or make an excessive amount of negative comments to you. By surrounding yourself with a positive atmosphere, it will be easier to ignore or relive negativity.

• 6

  Create a daily priority list. Focus on one task at a time, and forget about the rest of the tasks on your list until you have completed the task nearest the top of the list.

• 7

  Complete tasks when you originally plan on completing them. This will help you to avoid procrastination. When you have time to complete the task, have your mind set on completing it. If it's a task that you are wanting to avoid, you aren't going to feel like completing it in the future if you are dreading it in the present.

• 8

  Say no to additional activities, tasks and responsibilities. Finish the tasks that you took on first before agreeing to any additional plans. Even if new plans arise that may be more enjoyable, put responsibility first.