Procrastination is something that affects many of us at some point in our lives, from time to time. Even though I try hard to stay on-top of my home and work duties, I’ve noticed that the easiest times for me to procrastinate are when I have a big, time consuming project to embark on, looming over my head. I often want to put off such activities until “later” (without a clear definition of when “later” will be). On the other hand, smaller projects tend to be very easy for me to “do it now” and be done.

One simple and very effective way I have helped myself reduce procrastination on larger projects is to “trick” myself into GETTING STARTED.
Getting started is almost always the most difficult psychological barrier to cross. Its actually the most overwhelming part of the project for most people.

I figured that if I can at least get myself to start on my ‘big projects’, it will be much easier for me to continue working on it from there on out.

My trick is to challenge myself to do just 10 minutes!

If I’m procrastinating on folding laundry, I set a timer for 10 minutes and tell myself to just do as much as I can in those 10 minutes. And you know what? It’s amazing what I often accomplish!

I might not clear the entire laundry basket, but I can easily fold up and organise the greater part of it. Yes, there are times when I do actually stop after my 10 minutes is up. Also, there are plenty of other times when my 10 minutes motivate me to do 20, or even 30 minutes more — and before I know, all the laundry is folded. All because I just got started!

What can you do in 10 minutes?
Often, more than you think!
Sometimes, just a few things.
ALWAYS… more than you would have if you put it off until later!

If you can convince yourself to just get started, you’re usually past the hardest part.