Ready, get set… STOP
Ready, get set… STOP
I have to often say these words to myself! The idea of just taking off has always seemed so appealing to me, but in the past I have bumped into a few walls when I’ve tried to take flight 😉 I think you get my gist.
I gave myself a stop sign this afternoon and designated some time to tidy up all the files on my computer, back them up and take a look at my finances. Two things that I’m not that keen on! But the thing is I really want to get going with a couple of projects and I want everything in place this time!
https://maendssundhedstabletter.top/2025/08/01/the-first-time/
Silly little things can really get in the way too can’t they? Like a build up of post, a car with an empty tank of fuel right when you need to get somewhere quick (a regular one of mine), a temperamental computer etc! All these things can make you have little stress moments! And of course, by the time you have your little ‘stress moment’ the creative energy you were going to put into your project has sadly gone to sleep!
I used to lose my glasses all the time and I need them for driving, so every time I was about to go somewhere (in a rush of course with an empty tank) I’d be playing ‘find the glasses’ not a fun game! After this happened several times I shouted “STOP enough now!” and I went to get myself some new glasses from Boots to keep in the car! Such a simple little thing, but I think we can often put things off that could save us a lot of stress in the long run!
https://maendssundhedstabletter.top/2025/07/28/lock-down-lessons/
So, what things have you been putting off lately? And could you save yourself a few ‘stress moments’ which could help you to be more creative in the long run? Try jotting down a little list of them and tackling them one by one. (For ideas on to do lists that will help you get things done, Check out my blog called ‘colouring in the boringness’ http://bit.ly/1lVQ60L )
And once again, the words for today are…. Get ready……. STOP … It’ll make the ride a little more steady 😉
Stop Procrastinating! 5 Simple Steps to Master Time Management, Beat Stress, and Achieve Your Goals
Do you often feel overwhelmed by unfinished tasks, endless to-do lists, and constant stress from minor daily distractions? You’re not alone. Millions of people get caught in a cycle of procrastination that silently robs them of energy, motivation, and meaningful progress.
This comprehensive guide will help you break that cycle and get back in control with 5 simple, research-backed steps. We’ll explore strategies rooted in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Time Management Psychology, LSI and N-Gram keyword techniques, and stress-reducing habits that make your goals more achievable—starting today.
✅ Why Do We Procrastinate?
Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why procrastination happens.
According to the American Psychological Association, procrastination is not a time management issue—it’s an emotional regulation problem. We delay tasks to avoid discomfort, fear of failure, or uncertainty.
Dr. Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation, found that 95% of people procrastinate occasionally, and 1 in 5 people are chronic procrastinators.
🔹 Step 1: Pause and Get Organized (The “Ready, Get Set… STOP” Method)
Sometimes the best way to move forward is to first pause and regroup.
🧹 Declutter Your Space
Clutter increases cortisol (the stress hormone). A study by Princeton Neuroscience Institute found that visual clutter limits your ability to focus. Spend 15 minutes tidying up:
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Your desk
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Desktop and digital folders
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Physical documents or notebooks
📝 Create a Master Task List
Don’t rely on memory. Write everything down in one central location. Use:
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A bullet journal if you like analog tools
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Digital platforms like Notion, Trello, or Todoist for flexibility and reminders
Why this works: It clears your mental space and lets you see the full scope of your responsibilities.
🔹 Step 2: Tackle Minor Stress Before It Multiplies
Stress is often caused by repeated small annoyances, not one big crisis.
🔍 Identify Your “Micro-Stressors”
These might include:
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Always running low on gas
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Misplacing your keys or glasses
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A sluggish computer
🛠️ Apply Simple Solutions
Take preventive action:
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Fill your gas tank every Friday evening
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Place a spare pair of glasses in your car
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Clean up digital files or add more RAM to your laptop
These tiny improvements create big emotional relief, giving you more energy to tackle your real goals.
🔹 Step 3: Use Time Blocking for Laser Focus
Do you get stuck deciding what to work on? Time blocking eliminates that confusion.
📅 What Is Time Blocking?
It’s a scheduling technique where you assign fixed blocks of time to each task—just like meetings.
Instead of a vague to-do list, your calendar becomes your plan. Example:
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9:00–10:30 AM → Deep work: writing proposal
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1:00–2:00 PM → Research and email replies
💡 Why It Works
Time blocking minimizes decision fatigue and promotes deep focus (also known as “flow”). According to Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, this is essential for producing high-value outcomes.
Use Google Calendar, Sunsama, or ClickUp to build your personalized time blocks.
🔹 Step 4: Break Big Goals into Mini-Milestones (and Celebrate!)
Large goals feel intimidating. The trick? Make them smaller, smarter, and more trackable.
🎯 Break the Goal Down
Instead of “Write a book this year,” reframe it to:
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“Write 500 words every morning”
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“Finish one chapter each month”
🎉 Celebrate Small Wins
Every time you complete a milestone:
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Take a 10-minute walk
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Grab a cup of coffee
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Share your progress with a friend or social circle
Celebrating small wins gives your brain a dopamine reward, reinforcing momentum and positive habits.
🔹 Step 5: Upgrade Your Free Time (Use It to Grow)
It’s tempting to use your downtime for passive scrolling. But what if you transformed that time into personal growth?
📚 Read Personal Development Books
Books like:
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Atomic Habits by James Clear
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
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The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
…can offer new strategies and mental frameworks.
🎓 Enroll in Online Micro-Courses
Sites like Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare offer short, actionable courses in:
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Productivity & Time Management
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Emotional Intelligence
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Goal Setting
Learning just 15–20 minutes a day compounds over time and sharpens your edge.
📊 Branded Visual Aids (Optional for Your Blog or Website)
To enhance your article’s SEO and engagement, consider including:
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✅ A sample Time Blocking Template (Mon–Sun)
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✅ “Big Goal → Small Steps” flowchart
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✅ Mind map of daily stress triggers & solutions
These visual tools help with semantic relevance and improve AI-indexed scannability.
💬 Final Thoughts: Take One Small Step Today
You don’t need to revolutionize your life overnight. You just need to start.
Whether it’s organizing your desk, writing down tasks, or blocking out your first “focus hour”—action creates clarity.
The enemy isn’t laziness—it’s lack of structure. Once you install the right systems, you’ll naturally become:
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More productive
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Less stressed
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Closer to achieving your biggest goals
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What causes procrastination?
Procrastination is usually triggered by fear of failure, perfectionism, or emotional discomfort. It’s more about avoiding negative feelings than laziness.
Is time blocking suitable for creative work?
Absolutely! Creative professionals like writers, designers, and developers benefit from structured flexibility, which time blocking allows.
How can I stay motivated to follow through?
Break big goals into smaller tasks, use positive reinforcement (like celebrating wins), and track your progress with tools like habit trackers or accountability partners.
Can stress really come from small annoyances?
Yes. According to behavioral psychologists, micro-stressors (tiny, frequent annoyances) accumulate and increase cortisol, leading to anxiety and fatigue.
Originally posted 2014-09-10 22:43:39.