HELP! I can't stop procrastinating!

[eyeliv4God]

I can't stop procrastinating! For what reason(s), I don't know. I procrastinate with everything; school, financial problems, general problems... I'll admit, I can be very lazy at times, but I want to get out of this habit! It's very detrimental to my life and I don't want to keep doing it! Any suggestions that help you get in gear with things or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[puppy]

i think im the same and i feel that once you push yourself to do the things you need to do, you do feel a lot better and proud of what youve done, as the ad (cant remember which ad it is) says

just do it !

 

[meh]

Here are two things someone told me when I asked for help with the same problem. I was told sometimes people who tend to procrastinate aren't lazy at all, but people who fear making mistakes. So just doing a task without worrying if I was doing it perfectly helped me relax a bit and get more work done.

I was also given the advice to make a list, and maybe do one task a day. The next day, two. And so on. It does get easier and it's great to watch the list get shorter.



xxmary

 

[UnitynLove]

First, let me remind you that fear is not from God. Fear is from Satan. II Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love, and a sound mind." Every time you feel fear in your life, it is a manifestation of the kingdom of darkness. Fear is one of the ruling spirits. I often say in my teachings that fear is the "master spirit," or the spirit Satan uses to try to rule God's people and to keep them from coming under the leadership of the true Master, Jesus Christ.
Multitudes of people never fulfill the call of God in their lives, simply because every time they try to go forward, the devil uses fear to stop them. Is he using fear to stop you? Satan uses fear to keep people from enjoying life. Fear brings torment according to I John 4:18, and you surely can't enjoy life and be tormented at the same time.
I want to encourage you to take an inventory in the fear department. What are you afraid of? Are there any areas in your life that are being stifled because of fear? Satan is always going to bring fear against us at various times. It is one of his major weapons—not a minor weapon, not a cap gun, but a cannon. The thing that we all must learn is how to not "fear the fear". The devil brings fear, but you should choose not to bow your knee to it. David said in Psalms, "What time I am afraid I will trust in you". I believe, we can state the fact that, when God leads you to step out in an area to do something new or when He leads you to make a bigger commitment, you may (even probably will) feel fear. However, if you are reasonably sure God told you to do it, put your trust in God and go forward.
I have to apply this same principle to my life all the time. Last year in October, we realized we really needed more office space. At the same time, we needed two more employees, which would require more desks, computer terminals, phones, chairs, etc. We had a choice. We had prayed for growth so we could help more people. Everything had increased, including tape orders, speaking engagements, incoming phone calls, mail, letters to be answered, etc. It was God's timing, and He was moving. We had to make a decision either to stand still in fear, "play it safe" so to speak, or to move with God. If we hadn't been willing to rent more space and hire more people, we could not have maintained the growth. I can tell you for sure that fear tried to stop me. I heard things like, "Joyce, you're getting in over your head." "That's too much money to spend." "What if the increase doesn't continue"? Etceteras, etceteras; I'm sure you know the recording; you've probably heard it also.
We certainly don't want to move in the flesh or out of God's timing, but when God is moving, you must not be afraid to move with Him. In the situation I described to you, I had a choice to be "led by my head" or to follow the leading of my spirit. Satan brings fear to your mind and your emotions. You may even physically shake but listen to your spirit. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Don't fear the fear, and what time you are afraid trust in Him.
Some of the more common fears are the following: Fear of lack, death, loneliness, sickness, people, authority, commitment, fear of heights, germs, closed in spaces, airplanes, driving, dogs, cats, birds, etc. Fear of failure, being wrong, rejected, laughed at, fear of being over-weight, fear of being married, even fear of being attractive, and fear of sinning. Fear of the past and fear of the future. It seems that the list is endless. We went to the library and got a typed list of known phobias. It was four (4) pages long and quite extensive. It even included phobaphobia, which is the fear of being afraid.
It convinced me even more how extensive Satan's work is, in this area. The Bible says, "Fear not for I am with you". I believe God works gently with us in areas to bring us out of bondage and into liberty. For people who have been afraid of something, and desire to be free, the time will eventually come when you will have to face your fear and not run away from it. You can do it. Just take Jesus' hand and acknowledge that He is with you. If you are afraid of people with authority, the time will come when you will have to confront some authority figure and not cower under in fear. God will have arranged the time. He will be there, but you'll have to choose whether to "go through" or to "run". If you are at one of these crossroads in your life, let me encourage you to go forward. Don't stand still in terror, but take His hand and go forward. Remember, fear torments and God wants to deliver you from all your fears.

 

[silentpoet]

I keep meaning to change my procrastination, but I keep putting it off.

Seriously though, I have found a day planner and scheduling my day helps. I have a long ways to go, but I am slowly getting better. Do small things as you go along so the don't become big things that you put off.

 

[CorTortilla]

Right now I have a report due tommorrow minimized. It was assigned Febuary 27th! lol I still always manage to get everything done somehow.... just don't worry about it if you do get everything done. I was like you and I needed to stop procastinating then I said "Heck with it" and just went on doing it. If things aren't getting done, then thats a problem.

 

[kiddy]

There is an interesting theory of personality that Myers-Briggs gives where some personality types ('P' I think)really do just prefer leaving things to the last minute.... open ended and unconcluded... options open etc...you might like to read about their theory since it could help you understand and accept those traits that you want to change,and may give you insight into how to balance and change them...

I've heard that spiritual growth can even be the development of these 'shadow' sides pf personality... like where the extreme introvert gradually comes to be more outward and the personality is more 'balanced'.. so it might be exciting to understand yourself in terms of how God might be growing and shaping and changing you...

Understanding what God is doing, and cooperating with that, might even be a great motivator; letting Him 'inside' your life to work His perfect will... and recognising the struggles you have, are an exciting part of His work that He will help with.

 

[Anti Existance]

Put your mind on blank , don't 'think' just get up and do it immediatly. Because the moment you start thinking about it, you will procastrinate.

 

[NickMack88]

Put your mind on blank , don't 'think' just get up and do it immediatly. Because the moment you start thinking about it, you will procastrinate.

So true...

 

[Karikta]

Right now I have a report due tommorrow minimized. It was assigned Febuary 27th! lol I still always manage to get everything done somehow.... just don't worry about it if you do get everything done. I was like you and I needed to stop procastinating then I said "Heck with it" and just went on doing it. If things aren't getting done, then thats a problem.

That's how I feel about. I have been procastinating since forever but the work always gets done. I usually don't face any consequences for procastinating which is why I still do it.

I guess if you want to stop then you have to become more organized. Try to keep a calender or planner and set your own deadlines. I think someone already said something like this though. Just do it.

 

[newyorknewyork]

http://www.gotquestions.org/laziness-Bible.html

 

[bumblebee62331]

I would write down everything I had to do and I made sure that I did it by a certain time -- or I wouldn't get any chocolate. Or I wouldn't get to watch my favourite TV show. Punishment works for me (not physical lol).

Also get someone to hold you accountable for a while. Get them to check if you have done it. Get them to come in and tell you to get back to work. Put yourself in a situation where you won't be distracted - stay away from phones, computers (unless you need it for work), animals, children etc.

And try to remember that once you've finished, you can relax!!