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Stop Procrastinating – Some Stuff Isn’t That Important

Checklist on post it notes and the words "Stop Procrastinating - Some Stuff Isn't That Important"

It is terrific to know that you can stop procrastinating by realizing that some stuff just isn’t that importantWhen you can distinguish the unimportant from the truly important, you can accomplish great things.

 

Procrastination is that thing that makes you put something on hold until a later date. It is an idea almost everyone on earth knows and understands. In fact, it is so common a problem that almost every schoolchild learns the expression, “never put off for tomorrow what you can do today.”

Most people have long to-do lists that get longer each day. Sometimes, just the sight of the list is enough to dive a person back under the covers. That under the covers dive, that is procrastination. When your to-do list is too long, it is time to start prioritizing things. At work for example, on Thursday morning, your list may have the following items:

  • Make cash deposits to cover payroll
  • Order office supplies
  • Re-design the general work area
  • Remove outdated magazines from the waiting area

 

All those tasks are important and need to be done. However, only one of them must be done at a time. That means you must pick which one you will do. If you want to keep the business running smoothly and have your employees continue to work for you, the first priority in this list should be to make the bank deposit. Going through the magazines in the waiting area is just not that important. Look at your to-do list and figure out which things are payroll tomorrow important and which things are get rid of the old magazines important. Stop procrastination by taking care of payroll first!

If you want to keep your long to-do list from paralyzing you with procrastination, you must realize that your to-do list is a living thing. Each day you add to it and subtract from it. It expands and it contracts. Because your to-do list is a living, growing thing, it is important to look at it each day. You must manipulate it and prioritize it each day. An item that seems insignificant on Monday can leap to the top level of importance by Thursday as with the example above for the cash deposit needed to cover payroll. When you realize that your to-do list is full of items that vary in importance, you will not feel as overwhelmed by the list. This is because you will realize that only a few of the things need to be done today.

Once you learn to prioritize your to-do list, you take control of it. Procrastination will no longer rule your life. The ability to prioritize items on your to-do list gives you power. Once you harness that power you will control your to-do list and kick procrastination in the butt. That is indeed a powerful feeling. Be encouraged, once you realize that some stuff just isn’t that important, you will be able to stop procrastination.

 

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In conclusion, it is terrific to know that you can stop procrastination by realizing that some stuff just isn’t that important. So, the question for you on this terrific day is, what is the most important thing you can do today?