Courtesy of Healthy U
Finding Balance
Procrastination
Are you a procrastinator? Do you avoid or find it hard to get started on a difficult or unpleasant task at work, at school or at home? You are not alone. Many have this problem from time to time, but for some procrastination is chronic and causes a high level of stress and anxiety.
There is hope. Procrastination is a behavior that you can change. Now is a good time to start taking control of your life and the tasks that need to be done.
Here are some strategies for overcoming your procrastination :
*Identify your thoughts and behaviors that keep you from doing necessary tasks and plan how to reduce or control these thoughts and behaviors.
*Make a list of everything you have to do.
*Break complex tasks down into smaller, manageable tasks.
*Set realistic goals and standards that are attainable.
*Prioritize and create realistic time frames for completing tasks.
*Make your tasks meaningful and find the value in completing them.
*Reward yourself for your accomplishments.
*Eliminate tasks you have no intention of doing.
*And remember to balance your work with recreation and relaxation.
Source: Procrastination Research Group
Chill Out
Time Management
We are busier than we have ever been. Life pulls us in every direction. And there is little time for all of life’s demands. There is little science that backs this up, but the evidence is overwhelming. We talk fast. We are always in a rush. We start things and can’t find the time to finish them and are then reminded over and over again by some idea that we forgot something, but can’t remember what that something is. This feeling (of lack of time) leads to stress and harms our bodies. It is possible to reduce this feeling of stress, by adding an extra hour to your day through time-management techniques.
*Make a Time Diary. List what you do every day. Be Honest. This will illustrate where all your time goes and can help you make decisions about using your time more effectively.
*Learn to Say “No”. Your time is precious, so if someone asks you to do something that you don’t want to do or don’t have time to do, politely and firmly say no. And do not feel guilty about it. You can then focus on your goals when you decline. You can spend time with friends and family, or on your health.
*Based, To-Do List. Create a To-Do list and include how much time you should spend on each item. This will help you prioritize.
*Let Your Computer Help. With all the technology available, make it work in your favor. There are many personal scheduling software programs that can help organize. You can create To-Do lists and design a phone or address book. When you have less clutter and more organization, you’ll begin to see your life streamlined.
*Multitask. All of us combine several activities into one. Sometimes this can be dangerous, but other times it can be beneficial. When you are watching the news, pay your bills. When you are driving from the office to home, listen to that book on tape that you have been wanting to finish. *Don’t be a Perfectionist. Set rational goals for yourself. Be your best, not the very best. You will just add stress to your life if you set unfeasible expectations for yourself.
*Reward Yourself. Most importantly when you have organized your time better and have made progress in prioritizing, you should acknowledge this improvement. Enjoy your success!
Source: Casey, John. “6 Tips for Better Time Management.”
courtesy of HealthyU