It’s the same every year: we set new resolutions for the new year, get super excited about them and plan everything out, and then quit when we don’t keep up with them for a while. There are always a million excuses to stop doing the things you need to, but powering through them is the best way to go about it. It’s simple, STOP saying tomorrow!
When we want to make a change in our lives or start being consistent with new habits, the fear of stepping out of our comfort zone makes the majority of us use the “I’ll start tomorrow” approach. We tell ourselves that tomorrow is the day we’ll wake up and be that new person; the person that will go to the gym, eat healthier, and be more productive. But, that’s not always how things play out. The second we divert from the goals we set for ourselves, we go back to square one again. “I’ll start tomorrow.”
There’s also this common belief that starting January 1st of the new year, we’re going to be a new person with all this productivity and an amazing lifestyle. Then, once we give up on the habit, we just quit and wait for another January 1st to start building habits again. The thing we don’t remember is the fact that nobody said you had to wait until the next new year to set goals and start being productive. It’s just a weird rule we’ve created on our own. The best time to start is always now.
In order to actually stop procrastinating, you need to start setting goals that are achievable. Analyze how much time you have and how you can go about your goals adequately before starting to build your habits. Mindfulness is key! Be mindful of what you expect yourself to get done, when you expect yourself to do it, and how you’re going to start. Figure all of this out and have a clear perspective of what you’re going to accomplish. Next, don’t set a start date. When you know what you need to do, don’t put it off until next week or next month to start. Start as soon as you can and do it now, if possible. The goal is your guide. When you don’t have the motivation to accomplish something, think about all the reasons it will be transformational to your life. Going to the gym will make you more confident, and healthy, and give you more energy. Motivate yourself by thinking about the outcome that you could achieve.
I get it, it’s a lot easier said than done. Things can get really overwhelming when your responsibilities start to pile up and you just aren’t getting things done on time. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you procrastinate. Learn to forgive yourself and move on. Just remember, there is no one else who can make a change in your life but you.
Now… All that is left to do is to start!
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Jyothika Arunkumar (she/her)
Bentonville, AR
Haas Hall Academy Bentonville
@jarunkumar_22
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