30 Ways to Get A Round TUIT

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Have you ever said, “I’ll get around to it?” Did you?

When we say that, it generally means we should . . . but we’re not going to do what we need to. That is until we’re faced with something motivational like the reality of the consequences we’ll face for a failure to act.

It’s time for you to get a round TUIT. No more procrastination.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines procrastination as:

“To put off doing something until a future time; to postpone or defer taking action.”

Are you a procrastinator? Here are ten questions to help you determine if you’re a procrastinator:

1. Do you wait to the last minute to undertake an important task, duty or assignment?

2. Do you buy birthday and anniversary cards and presents on the day of the celebration?

3. Do you postpone and reschedule doctor and dentist appointments?

4. Do you make up excuses why certain small assignments haven’t been completed?

5. Do you wait until Christmas Eve to buy presents for your loved ones?

6. Do you always get an extension for filing your income tax return?

7. Do you constantly postpone your plans to clean out the attic, garage or your desk?

8. Do you delay calling creditors about disputes on your monthly statements?

9. Do you forget until the deadline has expired before sending in the rebate slip from a purchase you’ve made?

10. Do you avoid scheduling difficult conversations with family members, your supervisor or fellow employees?

If you answered “yes” to three or more of the above questions. . .then you are in fact a procrastinator. If you are one. . . STOP IT NOW! You will never achieve the success God intended for you to achieve if you procrastinate.

The comedian, Sam Levenson, said:

“I’m going to stop putting things off … tomorrow.”

Proverbs 6:4 in the New Living Translation says:

“Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.”

Way too many believers worry about things they need to achieve. That only magnifies the difficulty of the task in their minds while creating stress over the thoughts of the imagined consequences of their actions or the lack thereof.

Let’s look at 30 things that can help you get around to it and eliminate procrastination from your vocabulary.

1. Get Started. The most difficult part of any assignment or journey is the first step. Start now. As the scripture says in Ecclesiastes “if you wait for perfect conditions. . .you’ll never get anything done.”

Luke 9:62 in the Message Bible says:

“Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."

2. Create Assessment Of The Time Needed To Complete The Project. Be realistic in your projections.

Luke 14:28 in the New Living Translation says:

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”

3. Don’t Let Time Assessment Delay The Start Of Your Task. The more accurate you are in estimating the time necessary to complete the project the least likely you are to delay getting started.

4. Maximize Every Moment. Make necessary phone calls when you are waiting in line at the grocery store; in the doctor’s or dentist’s lobby; at the airport, etc. Carpe Diem means “seize the day” . . . seize the moments that might be wasted . . .get started.

 

5. Rearrange Other Assignments and Time Slots. In order to free up your time, you may find it advisable to rearrange your time schedule and shuffle other projects.

During the first year of this broadcast. . .I was writing and recording a half-hour shows six days a week. One of my goals for 2010 was to write more books. . .so I needed to make more time available for this project. After prayer and some calculations. . .I realize I could save myself the equivalent of four work weeks. . .not to mention the amount of time it saved our staff by doing 5 daily shows and rerunning them on Saturday and Sundays for those viewers who might have missed one during the week.

6. Start Somewhere. If you want to avoid the most difficult part of an assignment. . .that’s fine. . .just get started. Beginning a project creates a certain momentum which can help you charge into the most difficult circumstances.

Ephesians 5:11-16 in the Message Bible:

“Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

“Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!”

7. Tackle the most difficult part of the assignment first if at all possible. Many people feel they’re on a downhill slope to victory once the most dreaded part of the assignment is complete and out of the way.

8. Create Reasonable and Flexible Timelines. Create timelines which offer immediate and measureable success.

9. Reward Your Success For Each Timeline Achieved. Years ago, I held REAP banquets (Recognition, Encouragement, Appreciation and Praise) to reward my success in the insurance business. I had a specific goal of winning a car so every milestone reached was critical. By the way, I won my car.

10. Do It Now. . .No Delays. Some people have a 24 hour rule. If you have the habit of reading your email or regular mail before responding . . . STOP IT. Such a procedure means you’re handling things twice and that’s a waste of time.

11. Ask Yourself: Is This The Easiest Way To Accomplish This Task? If you’re not sure, there is no shame in asking someone who has successfully navigated your path before.

12. Continually Question Yourself. What’s the best thing that could happen in this situation and/or scenario? What’s the WCS (worst case scenario)? Always be looking for ways to make things work more efficiently and effectively.

13. Pause Before You Start. Take seven minutes to consider the project before starting. I guarantee you will start the assignment before the seven minutes has passed.

14. Properly Prepare Your Work Area. Make sure there’s nothing visible that will draw your attention to other projects or activities.

15. Make Certain You Have the Proper Work Environment. Turn off your cell phone, the TV and radio.

16. Use Your Timelines As Incentives. For instance, if you finish a particular part of your assignment by a certain time period. . .you will reward yourself with a special treat, i.e., going to a movie, watching your favorite television program or a trip to Starbucks.

17. Announce Your Timeline Publicly. Share your timelines and plan with your inner circle. Make sure these are people who respond positively, i.e, scripturally every time. Use your inner circle as encouragers and motivators toward your expected end.

18. Flow With Your Energy levels. Proper and timely nutrition have a great deal to do with your energy levels. Eat a small meal every three hours to maintain your energy levels. NO SUGAR. Eat fruit instead…it contains all the sugar you need.

19. Plan A Function That Will Ensure Your Project Is Completed By A Time Certain. If you plan an event at your home or office it will motivate you to make sure everything is orderly and properly cleaned and cleared.

20. Establish Leisure Time. You can’t and/or shouldn’t always have your “pedal to the metal” so to speak. In other words, create time to decompress and relax. Find something that brings you relaxation and pleasure.

21. Utilize Unexpected Time Slots. For instance, if an appointment is cancelled . . .a school activity postponed or any other free time comes available, turn the inconsistencies of others into productive time for you. Have a list of things you can do when spare time is unexpectedly available.

22. Create A Realistic and Functioning “To Do” List. You should create tomorrow’s list before you go to bed tonight. Review the list frequently during the day and mark off tasks that have been accomplished.

23. Enlist The Support Of A Trusted Advisor And Friend. If you hit a bump in the road. . .talk with someone in your inner circle and/or someone with expertise in your area of endeavor.

24. Plan For The Unexpected. You can be certain that you will experience unanticipated interruptions of your plans and timelines. How you handle such distractions and diversions could affect your stress level either adversely or positively depending on your prior planning.

25. Don’t Let Your Momentum Die. If you’ve been making progress don’t ease up off the gas or your forward motion may stall. Momentum is critical to your success. The only time you ease off is during leisure time where you need to momentarily disengage your thought process.

26. Achieve Or Refocus Your Timelines. If you promised someone that a specific task would be completed by a specific timeline. . .either achieve that timeline or advise those involved that the process will take a little longer.

27. Delegate And Then Delegate Some More. Some people hesitant delegating responsibilities because they’re concerned the person might make a mistake. Always remember, the only people who don’t make mistakes are the ones who don’t do anything. If you need help, get it.

28. Recognize That Your Stress Level Is Reduced With Each Timeline Accomplished. As previously stated, momentum is extremely important in the achievement of any worthwhile goal. Momentum has a unique way of making stress dissipate.

29. Additional Resources. Buy or borrow whatever resources you need to achieve your goals. Most certainly, this includes but is not limited to books and CDs.

30. Reward Yourself For A Job Well Done. Sponsor your own REAP banquet. Even if no one else recognizes your hard work. . .you do. There have been times in my life when I bought myself a plaque for a job well-done. You always deserve Recognition, Encouragement, Appreciation and Praise (REAP).

A final thought on getting around to something important is found in Ephesians 5:16 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.”

Remember, it’s time for you to get ROUND TO IT.

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