Page 155 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach

Powerful Behavioral Techniques to Curb Procrastination 123

Since the backward plan ends with the first step, you know
where to start.
Backward planning has value when you visualize a result,
but you rarely think about the steps that lead to the accomplish-
ment. If you can visualize an outcome, then is it possible for you
to visualize the step that came before meeting a long-term goal?
Devising a plan is an important step in the process of changing
from a behavioral diversion habit pattern to a productive pattern.
Without preparation, you are vulnerable to a promissory note style
of procrastination. Your plan helps you over the threshold from
wishing to doing. However, you get the actual payoff when
you execute the plan and persist with what you started. Once you
have made the conceptual effort to go an extra step, it is simpler
and easier to take concrete behavioral steps in the direction of
your goal.

Organize for Efficiency

Organization systems do not, by themselves, curb procrastination.
Nevertheless, these mechanical techniques can be part of a solu-
tion for operating with higher levels of efficiency and less stress
caused by lost materials and shifting from activity to activity with-
out finishing any of them (rotating door procrastination style). If you
don’t have a workable organizing system and you view yourself as
not well organized, consider creating an organizing system to es-
tablish control over your routine. Here are some tips for building
organization and efficiency into your routine:

1. Schedule time for recurring events (paying bills, cleaning,
automobile oil changes, and so on), and follow the schedule.
2. Set aside a location for putting important objects in their
place (keys, reading materials, bills).
3. Eliminate time-hog activities that consume a great deal of
time but that yield little return (toss mail and e-mail adver-
tisements and other materials with little relevance).