How to avoid Procrastination and Find Motivation

Everyone faces the challenges of finding motivation every day, whether you are starting a new project, trying to find the energy to exercise, or a multitude of other tasks and responsibilities. It's easy to fall into the slump of procrastination, but it's important to overcome this obstacle and achieve what needs to be done. When you accomplish daily tasks, you will feel more satisfied with your day-to-day life, which will lead you to a happier state of mind! As we all know, this is easier said than done. The following is my personal method for overcoming procrastination and finding motivation.

1. Get organized.
Remember in grade school when we had daily planners? I still keep a paper planner with me at all times, and I write down everything I need to accomplish each day as well as in the future. Whether it's sketches for a new project, sending a completed project to print, or reminding myself to exercise, it's all organized within my planner. It's easy to prioritize projects when I'm able to flip through the calendar pages and see the deadlines that lie ahead. I find it easier to see everything on paper in front of me than in multiple places (notes, reminders, emails, etc.) on my phone. I also find that it's also more satisfying to physically cross off an item from my handwritten to-do list than it is to hit "Delete" on my keyboard. Crossing things off my list is a small but helpful motivation tool. 

2. Focus
Clear your mind of everything except the task at hand. Clear. Your. Mind. Now focus!

3. Get excited.
Think about the reason why you chose to accept a particular project. Something about it had to excite you enough to want to do it, and this excitement should motivate you to get started. If it's a project you were assigned that doesn't particularly interest you, think about praise from your supervisor for completing the job well, or something positive that will result from completing the task. Finding anything to be enthusiastic about provides motivation to begin the project.

4. Picture the end result.
Visualize how you want a project to look when it's complete, or whatever your end goal for a particular task might be. Although the end results may vary from your vision, finding determination to accomplish a goal is a good way to become motivated to begin working towards it.

5. Find inspiration.
What inspires you? For example, a quick Pinterest search for artwork I admire gives me ideas about how to start working towards my vision for a project. Make a Board or a folder on your desktop with photos or documents that inspire you, and reference them throughout your journey to your goal.

6. Start somewhere. Sketch, write, move.
In college, I minored in Creative Writing, and my professor taught us that if you don't know what to write, just start put any thoughts that come to mind down on paper. Before you know it, you will have a concept worth exploring. The same idea can be applied to projects, exercise, or any task you hope to accomplish. For example, when I have an entire wedding suite to design, I start with something small and simple, such as drawing florals or choosing type pairings. Once a project is started, it's easy to become focused, excited, and motivated to reach the end result.

7. Avoid distractions.
Without even realizing it, you have overcome procrastination and found motivation! The last step to accomplishing your goal is to avoid distraction and remain focused until you are finished. Clear your mind of all distractions. Clear. Your. Mind. Now focus!

Before you know it, you will have completed your project or task at hand, and you can be proud of the results!

How do you avoid procrastination and find motivation? Leave a comment below!