Page 125 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach

5

Act Decisively

conscious decision to act decisively is the first step in initiat-
A ing behavioral follow-through. Once you’ve become aware
of triggers that cause habitual procrastination, you’ve emotionally
coped with the unpleasant task, you’ve made an active decision to
get the task done, and you actively follow through, then you’ve
stopped your procrastination cycle. Overcoming indecision is a
key part of this positive change process, and you’ll learn how to
get off the fence and follow through with what is important for
you to do.
The fourth-century Chinese general Sun Tzu stated that if you
know your enemy and yourself, there is no need to fear the results
of 100 battles. Sun Tzu’s statement refers to decision making as
well as to war. If you know why you put off major decisions, know
how to make reasoned ones that work for you, and then persist in
following through, you’ve ended procrastination. That won’t hap-
pen 100 percent of the time, any more than winning all battles is
a realistic option. However, you can load the dice in your favor, and
you can learn to do that here.
Decision making is an ongoing part of being human. What
makes for a good decision? How do you get to that point? Unfor-
tunately, there are no guaranteed guidelines on how to make deci-
sions. Decision-making situations vary widely. Different situations