Other tools and suggestions for the “Perfectionist” are as follows:
1. Get in your head and rehearse.
Top athletes around the world all have a training trick in common called mental rehearsal, where they’ll simply visualize hitting the winning shot or beating the buzzer. You’ll want to imagine all emotions and senses, not just visuals. If you’re gearing up for a big presentation, imagine what you’ll wear, the smells you’ll smell, the sounds in the room, the anxiety you might feel, and then move through it, without the pressure. Do this as many times as you need to feel ready for the task at hand.
2. Set your own deadline.
If you have a presentation due in two weeks, tell yourself you need it done by Friday. This gives you that same countdown crunch, with the padding of a few extra days if things don’t go smoothly.
3. Try counting to three.
When you don’t feel like getting up to go to the gym or to clean your home, simply count to three and on number three, get up and start doing whatever you’ve been dreading. We’re so used to “1,2,3 go” from our childhood play and games, that it taps into that sense of whimsy and play. You’ll be surprised at how well this one works.
4. Start anywhere.
When you panic and don’t know where to start, Just start anywhere. If you don’t do a perfect job, don’t worry, but just getting started will save you a lot of frozen time thinking of how to even begin.
5. Think about the consequences.
Remind yourself what you’ll suffer if you don’t get your work done and watch that fire under your booty light faster than you can say the word “procrastination.”
6. Think concretely.
When it comes to getting your work done, saying “I’d like to write a blog post sometime today” is kinda like the latter. It’s non-committal and abstract. Instead, think concretely and say, “I will complete this post and have a killer headline by 2 pm today.”
7. Take a hike.
Go for a 10 minute walk that gets your blood pumping before you try to tackle a big task. Research shows that low-intensity exercise can increase motivation and productivity by a whopping 41%. Your Fitbit will be happy, your legs will look great, and your boss will be stoked. It’s a win-win-win all around.
8. Take a whiff of peppermint oil.
Peppermint oil can stop migraines in their tracks, ease a sore stomach, and most importantly help procrastination. Studies show that sniffing peppermint essential oil enhances alertness, focus, and concentration.
9. Learn to say no.
If you struggle with saying “No”, at least say “later” until you have completed your own task.
10.Take one small step.
For example, if you want to go to the gym, that small step can be putting on workout clothes and gym shoes. Or if you want to write a blog, fire up your laptop, and write the first sentence. You don’t have to commit to 5 miles or 5000 words off the bat, just take one small step and let momentum keep you going.
