Cue the scene. It’s Monday, 5:30 pm I’ve just got home, it’s been a long day due to the most recent full moon this past Sunday. Every client I’ve spoken to today seemingly woke up choosing violence. That pretty list of things I wanted to do when I got home seems less and less realistic. As I stroll in and kick off my shoes my brain jumps to four things. Shower, dinner, glass of wine, and turning myself into a human blanket burrito. Obviously my choice of entertainment will be scrolling through TikTok, HBO Max or near and dear Netflix (how I love you so). If you’re feeling like this everyday you may need to learn how to set your boundaries.

If you’re still reading congrats! That means you relate my fellow procrastinator. Yes, you do. You have emotionally checked out for the day, and have dissociated by doing things that will distract and ease you. Let’s face it, being in a high paced environment and constantly being on go can do a lot to a person (like being so enraged you tell your coworker you could fight a kangaroo). However, falling into the same routine afterwork can steal time from us we will never get back. 

It had taken me a while to realize that there is much more to do after work than tuning out and going into my own personalized La La Land. I can’t complain about having little time when it’s about how I utilize the time that is available. This isn’t the part where I ramble on about we “all have the same 24 hours in a day” LLC Twitter narrative. Instead this is where I share some helpful tips to help you become better and step into your best self. 

Have SMART Goals 

In order to be productive we need to know what we are aiming for. What are we working for? What is it that you would like to ultimately accomplish in your spare time? 

Some examples are: working out, learning a new language, making passive income, starting a business, or picking up a hobby. Below is the outline for SMART goals 

Specific – What do I want to accomplish?

Measurable– How will I measure my progress?

Attainable– How can the goal be accomplished? What steps do I take?

Relevant– Is this goal inline with my long term objective?

Time-Bound – How long will it take me to reach this goal? When am I going to work on this goal?

This will give you the formula to start planting seeds and creating your blue print. By knowing what you want to do you will be able to see how you should execute doing it. Also it will give you a timeline on how long it may take. 

Build Better Habits

Now that you have the outline and a goal or goals to reach. We must now build habits around executing those goals. When first starting my fitness journey, I would only go every now and then. It was hard to stick to the plan when laziness was easier. So I began setting up my gym bag at night having it ready so when I got home I would just change and go. 

You guessed it the procrastination panda soon jumped on my back. Once I realized I was slipping into bad habits again I quickly made a change. I started bringing the bag with me to work and would leave it on the floor next to my desk. At 5 minutes of 5 p.m. I would change and go to the gym right afterwork. By bringing the bag to work, and changing at a set time, it became a routine. Once it becomes a routine it is like second nature. There is never any procrastination, you just get up and do it. Below are some helpful tips on how to build a habit.

Quick steps to building a habit: 

1. Set up a cue – My example is having the gym bag ready or readily available so I could get changed.
2. Make the time– Set a time for the activity or task at hand. For example. I will go to the gym after work. This sets a time everyday for when the habit is supposed to occur. 
3. Give yourself an incentive – I will only watch my favorite show while walking on the treadmill. This will allow you to make that grueling 30 minutes worth it.

Once you start the process and solidify your habit it will become like a second nature to you. To the point where you will just fall in line and get it done without even thinking twice.

Discipline over motivation everyday and all day.

I like to describe motivation as a fair weather feeling. You know it’s easy to be motivated when you are on top of the world. However not everyday is sunshine, and somedays are like something straight out of the Twilight Zone. Even in our darkest hour we have to learn to push through. We have to remember the reason we started, why we are doing this, and what we want.

If you rely solely on motivation it will take much longer for you to reach your goal. However if you operate by using discipline, consistency, and good habits then you can do anything you put your mind to. There will be days when the procrastination panda feels heavy on your back, and you will want to transform into a human burrito rivaling anything you can find at chipotle.

When you are about to slip you need to remember the following:

1. Why did you start?
2. Look at all of your current progress and how far you’ve come.
3. Repeat steps 1 & 2

You will realize you have worked so hard and come so far. It would not be worth risking falling back into an old habit and regressing. Everyday you show up is one day closer to reaching your ultimate goal. Which leads into the next step.

Take time to celebrate and bask in your progress. You need to acknowledge and be proud of the work you have done thus far. You have thrown the procrastination panda off of your back, and have shed the identity of the afterwork human burrito. This came from believing in yourself, and putting yourself first. Remember you are doing this for you and no one else! 

Celebrate Your Wins!

You should never feel guilty for putting yourself first or for trying to advance the quality of your life. You deserve everything you want and more, plus tax! Stop playing yourself down. No more self deprecation! Only self appreciation and self love all 2021!

Amazing, you have made it to the end. I hope that you were able to learn a thing or two here that will help elevate you. I say this to say this. The only thing between what you want, and who you want to be is you. If you want something bad enough you will make the time to get it done and find a way. I know you can do it. I believe in you! Now it is time to affirm this into your life. Say it with me, “I will blossom into the best version of myself!”

For more fun and self improvement shenanigans join me on Instagram @itsnancykimberley , also please sign up for my weekly newsletter! Until next time!

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how to stop procrastinating How to stop procrastination How to use SMART goals