Still have tax files to lodge? Putting off preparing a contractual agreement? Or perhaps you’re putting the brakes on your work altogether. That’s procrastination for you, and no, it’s got nothing to do with your star sign. In fact, it all comes down to science… The good news is that it’s possible to find a work around. You just need to understand the battle that’s going on inside your brain, then find the winning strategy: So, you have your limbic system, which, when it comes to getting things done on time, is your enemy. You see, it directs your basic survival instincts and encourages you to avoid tasks that aren’t fun or enjoyable. Then you have your prefrontal cortex that enables you to think through processes, make decisions and get things done. The problem is that the prefrontal cortex is the weaker of the two, which leaves the limbic system free to jump in and take control. Can you empower your prefrontal cortex? Yes, you can. According to psychologists, it all comes down to changing your habitual behaviour. To do that, you need to be mindful of how you feel when faced with a task you don’t want to tackle, how you feel when you avoid it, and how you feel when you actually get the job done. Typically, if there’s a distasteful task waiting for you, you might feel anxious, overwhelmed, and even physically ill, every time you think about it. Deciding to put off doing it will give you an immediate sense of relief and joy, however slowly (or not so slowly) that anxiety will creep back because you know that at some point you need to crack on and get it done. Finally, once you’ve completed the task, you’ll feel an immediate and longer-lasting sense of relief – even of the outcome isn’t entirely positive, at least you’ll know what you’re dealing with and can work out a plan to move forward. Thinking through these emotions and acknowledging them will help you overcome procrastination – you’ll realise how and why you need to break this old habit: quite simply because the rewards are so much better. But then comes the hard part: you’ll need to practice getting on with the tasks you’ve been putting off. So, what are you waiting for? Turn off your phone, shut down the music, make a plan and get started. Even if you do a little bit every day, you’ll start to feel that longer-term sense of satisfaction and you’ll get the job done! Still putting off your paperwork? If it’s paperwork that’s holding you back from getting things done, then consider talking to the Ayers Group. Our experts are here to help you manage your contracting administration and help grow your wealth with systems and services to streamline your admin and ensure compliance with your obligations. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can free you from boring tasks so you can focus on your work.