1. Move on from past failures
If you hold a glass of water for a few seconds, you'll barely feel anything. If you hold it for a minute, your arm may start to get tired. If you hold it for an hour, your arm will start to hurt quite a bit. If you hold a glass of water for a day, the pain will become more severe. If you hold it for a month, the pain will become unbearable. This is what happens when you don't let go of your problems. Let them go and move on.
2. Never say "It's impossible"
Let me tell you what. If you put your head towards it, anything is possible. "It's impossible" is not an excuse to procrastinate. If you say "It's impossible" it will be. Only it'll be impossible for you, nobody else. Let me tell you a little fun fact, the word itself, says "I'm possible".
3. Use a timer (similar to the pomodoro technique)
When it comes to important tasks, the timer is my friend. Give yourself 20 minutes working time. But the knack is that you have to work 100% of those 20 minutes. After you have worked hard for 20 minutes, pamper yourself with a 5 minute break. Then the cycle starts again. You can always adjust the timing, whatever suits you. But on average the ratio of working time to resting time should be 4:1.
4. Eliminate distractions
Yes, yes. I know you have probably heard this more than once, but believe me, it really works. Common distractions are phones, fiddly objects, beds, food and drinks. It can be hard at first, but you can thank me later.
5. Write out your ideas on paper
This is a wonderful tip, and really helps me when I get anxious. You are a lot smarter than you think, and that could be why you are getting anxious, and procrastinating. If you feel confused, the best tip is to get your ideas down on paper. This tip not only helps with procrastination, it also helps with anxiety and confusion.
6. Break big tasks into smaller ones
This is a wonderful way to reduce anxiety and procrastination. (E.g. I have been given an assignment. I can split it into 5 parts, and complete each one, feeling more positive in the end.)
7. Write a plan - use a diary
Using a diary or a daily planner really helps. I have a weekly plan telling me what I need to do in a week. It has three section;
-Most critical with 5 tasks
-Would be nice with 3 tasks
-Not a chance with 3 tasks
8. Set aside some time
If you have a dedicated time slot for book writing and all you do in that time slot is write your book you have no excuse for not doing it.
9. Make sure you have all your supplies before you start working
Everyone should know what supplies they need to do a task. If you make sure that you have you pencil, charger, eraser, and mouse when you start you do not necessarily need to get up and find another, so that you can get out of working, this ensures that you are in the working mindset.
10. Just stay positive and do it!
You can do it! It's not impossible! Stop procrastinating.
"You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again."
- Benjamin Franklin
