Overcoming Procrastination with the Acronym [PEAR]

Procrastination as a Cause of Anxiety

One of the biggest causes of anxiety in our daily lives is procrastination, the human tendency we have to put off doing difficult things.

Inside our heads, there's a constant battle going on between the adult part that knows we should do the task, and the child part that simply doesn't want to.

The key to overcoming this tendency is to find ways to play with our minds, using strategies that ensure the adult part wins.

We must be aware that avoiding a difficult task or one that involves certain pain will only cause us more suffering in the long run.

The goal is to use simple but effective methods that help us take action and break the cycle of procrastination that causes us so much discomfort.

P - Plunge In

The first strategy in the acronym "PEAR" is the "P" for Plunge In, which means to dive into the task and start it immediately without hesitation.

You need to take action before your mind has a chance to think of a reason not to or before you can start worrying.

Simply make that phone call or start painting that wall, taking immediate action to break the inertia that is holding you back in that moment.

This technique is powerful because it doesn't give internal resistance time to build a case against the action you know you need to take.

E - Energy (Energy Levels)

The "E" in the acronym refers to the importance of thinking about your energy levels, as they directly influence your ability to take action.

By ensuring that you are reasonably fit and have had enough sleep, you will be a much more dynamic person and less likely to procrastinate.

Often, when we feel tired or low on energy, we are much more likely to not feel like tackling tasks that are mentally or physically demanding.

Therefore, taking care of your physical fitness is an indirect but very effective strategy for beating procrastination and feeling more eager to do things.

A - Appointment (Journal Appointment)

The letter "A" stands for the strategy of creating an "Appointment" or appointment in your journal, an excellent method for avoiding putting off larger tasks.

It involves writing the task you're avoiding into your calendar for a future date and time, making sure to block that time specifically for it.

By having the task scheduled and the time set aside, you eliminate the need to rely on willpower in the moment, as the plan has already been made