Entrepreneurs: Beat Procrastination in 2024

Several things must happen if you want to beat procrastination and get hustling in 2024. Understanding why you procrastinate is the first step. Procrastination is a behavior caused by the stress in our lives or the unfounded negative beliefs we have about ourselves. Most often procrastination is thought to be laziness, but in reality it could be fear of failure, perfectionism or even fear of success. Once we uncover which deep-rooted negative beliefs are holding us back, we can make a change by recognizing and releasing them. You can do this by affirming a positive belief in it's place. For instance, if you are a perfectionist with a fear of rejection, you can state "I don't have to be perfect to be accepted. I am enough the way I am." Or if you have a fear of success, you can state "It's ok for me to succeed! My success is my divine birthright." Once you recognize the root cause, you can tackle it effectively.

Let's look at other ways we can tackle procrastination in 2024...

Always Break It Down
A big task can seem daunting. A sense of overwhelm can create procrastination all by itself. It's important to break down tasks and divide them into smaller, more manageable tasks. Completing each one will give you a sense of accomplishment, which ignites motivation. 

Use The "2-Minute Rule"
If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it now. For bigger tasks, just start- often, that's the hardest part.

Eliminate Distractions
Clear your workspace. Use apps like "Forest" or "Focus@Will" to maintain concentration. Set specific periods to check your phone or social media. Using a time management skill, like "time blocking", is a great way to block specific time slots out of your day for different tasks. This helps you focus on completing what you need done. After each block, give yourself 5 minutes to check social media/emails/calls.

Prioritize Tasks
Not all tasks are of equal importance. Use the Eisenhower Box or the ABCD priority system to determine what needs immediate attention. This helps prevent time being wasted on tasks that can wait. Hitting the important tasks first will also fuel the sense of accomplishment and make it easier to finish the smaller ones off as well. 

Reward Yourself
Set up a reward system. For instance, after working diligently for an hour, take a 10-minute break. Or after completing a project, reward yourself with a small gift- could be a night at the movies or a trip to your favorite store or restaurant.

Visualize The End Result
Feel the satisfaction and relief you have once the task is done. It may seem cheesy, but this impresses upon the quantum realm that it is already finished! Ideas will come to you freely and you will be guided by intuition on what exactly needs to be done. 

Have An Accountability Partner
Share your goals with a trusted friend or partner/spouse. Someone whom you know will support your goals & help you stay on track with regular check-ins.

Set Deadlines
Even if one doesn't exist, creating a personal deadline can instill a sense of urgency.

Make a Mindset Shift
Change your language. Instead of saying "I have to", say "I choose to".  This simple switch empowers you, reminding you it's a choice, not an obligation. 

Remember... You have what it takes!

Your dreams, vision and goals are no accident. If you have been given a desire to start a business, write a book, start investing, or any other career goals, you can bet that is the part of you that's connected to your divine purpose in life. This "higher self" continually feeds you inspiration towards your highest ideals. Your job is to uncover what's keeping you from progressing. Some people call this shadow work- bringing to light the negative beliefs held within the psyche that manifest as anxiety, fear, lack of focus and stress. 

So what's it going to be? What is holding you back, my friend? Raise your hand if you're a perfectionist? Raise your hand if you fear failure or not being good enough? How about if you fear success? Do you fear being seen & heard?  What if they all intertwine, creating habitual procrastination and self-doubt? This is a part of the journey, uncovering the truth of what keeps you from reaching your goals in life. 

​Confront the dragon, get the gold. 

Begin now. Sit down and write out which beliefs are holding you back. Then deep-dive into why you hold that belief. If you need a guide to help you, I highly recommend this book below. You can also check out this website below for 50 prompts to conquer your fear of success. 
https://spiritualprimate.com/50-shadow-work-prompts-to-conquer-your-fear-of-success/