Do it NOW

Do it NOW

- i don't have to do things i don't want to. I choose to do it.
- timeboxing - 30 min, then reward e.g. lunch - commit to put in time, regardless of how far i get
- single handling - more focused, and less time wastage on context switching due to different task. the state of flow, takes about 15 min to enter.
- make decisions within 60seconds once all data is firmed up.
- saving time is useless unless we have a compelling reason what we want to use the time for
- 80-20 rule. ditch the 80 for the more important 20.
- work all the time you work, rest all the time you need to rest. (don't surf the net!) do deep breathing, listen to relaxing alqur'an, take a short nap
- When learning, memorize it then and there. no other time for revision.
- maintain enthusiasm - think of importance and benefits of being an effective person
- jog 30min a day and listen to motivational tapes then to maintain enthusiasm and staying positive

Time Management

- we won't know how bad our time management is until an overachiever enters our lives and make us look bad in comparison
- MINDSET OF TIME MANAGEMENT = you value your time.
- 2 qns : what is best action to take right now? and how best to do it?

Triple productivity

- cut back on total hours to force an increase in efficiency
- efficiency ratio = time doing real work / total time spent at work
- increase efficiency while maintaining peak performance
- observe time log

Cultivate Burning Desire

- burn the ships - no turning back
- be positive - kill the negativity around you

Goals setting

- define goals in binary terms - yes or no, achieved yet or not
- clearly defined and detailed goals

Stop Procrastinating II

Reaching Goals and Dreams

• Define at least 1 major and 1 minor goal (minor goal can be a subset of major goal)
• Use Visualisation - clip photos in the mind
• Take a Time machine trip to the future - the ill-effects of procrastinatio and benefits of being effective
• Consider your options
• Liking what job you do
• Set Target Dates
• Knock on many doors - ASK people
• Rewrite your Life Script!
• Believe in the Power of the Will

Improve Interpersonal Behaviour

• Reject the temptation to be passive. When tasked to do a job which you dislike, don't take your own sweet time (procrastination). Stand your ground and state why you shouldn't do it.
• Play by the Boss's rule. A negative attitude is to procrastinate because you want to avoid resentment. A positive attitude is to accept the delegation readily and positively. Maybe more opportunities will open when you do the task.
• Avoid wearing social masks. To get our own way, we hide our true feelings/motives.
• ~ The Slowpoke - slow motion
• ~ The Creative Person - Cannot do anything 'ordinary' because highly-talented
• ~ The Whining Person - Wants sympathy; overburdened, therefore uses this as excuse for procrastination
• ~ The Tired Person - Escapes blame because of tiredness

Stop Procrastinating I

Why Procrastinate?

• Fear of Failure - Rejection
• Fear of Success - New commitments?
• Childhood experiences
• Inertia - taking the first step
• Task is too BIG

Overcoming Resistance - Some Techniques

• Visualisation - poking finger thru tissue paper barrier - visualise and START!
• Words - Apply the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair - Think of the words and START!
• There is NO difficult tasks.. only Challenging ones!
• Make a half-baked start - if you wonder where to start, just start anywhere, as long as you START!

Stop Kidding Yourself

• Denial of Reality
• Rationalization
• Living in the 'Land of Tomorrows'
• Blaming External Factors
• Displacement of 'Aggression' - channeling of aggression from source to scapegoats
• Reaction Formation - Wishes something in unconscious level, then converts into opposite at conscious level
• Narcissism
• ~ Excessive preoccupation with self
• ~ Slow poke
• ~ Still combing Hair
• ~ Change clothes for the 3rd time
• ~ Hasn't left house yet
• Identifying with the wrong person
• ~ ok if person has positive traits
• ~ NOT OK if person has negative traits.. especially PROCRASTINATION

Subduing an inferiority complex (that might lead to procrastination due to lack of self-confidence)

• Get rid of invisible audience or critics - just do it!
• Don't minimise your good points
• Don't maximise your shortcomings
• Your negative personal constructs are not in reality, they're just in your head
• Don't be afraid to change, step out of the comfort zone!
• Give yourself a pep talk. Stay Focused! write on a mirror to yourself
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes, don't be overcome by perfectionism

Breaking out of Procrastination

• Make a habit analysis on how you tend to procrastinate on what kind of tasks
• Tackle the procrastinated tasks that are easiest first
• Brainstorm solutions on each type of procrastinated task
• Reward yourself by doing a task you least likely would procrastinate(watch TV) for having done a task you would most likely procrastinate (study, do assignment)
• Specify a responsible behaviour in terms of well-defined task, not in terms of time (e.g. to study 1 chapter of maths, NOT to study maths for 1 hour - this will take forever)
• Define task clearly in both limited and concrete way (e.g. to study 4 pages in chapter 5 of Physics, NOT to study more)
• Make a behavioural contract in writing between adult self and child self (adult: If I study 4 pages of Physics, child: I can watch TV later without guilt)
• Reward yourself after that
• Alternate between High-Probability behaviour and Low-Probability behaviour - Premack's Principle