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Adela Schicker explains effective ways to achieve our goals. 

How many people can say they achieved what they set out to do at the end of the day? For most people, procrastination gets in the way of accomplishing our everyday tasks as well as our long-term goals. Adela Schicker's methods of ending procrastination and reaching goals are simple, useful, and science-based.

Procrastination, defined.

• There are things people should do, the things people want to do, and the things people actually do when they procrastinate.

• There are tasks we must complete in an allotted time period. If procrastination is the solution, then all of those tasks will be put off until the very end of the allotted time period.

Motivation Affects Procrastination

Motivation affects our procrastination level in different ways. The three types of motivation are:

1) Extrinsic Motivation: The carrot and stick approach. There is a reward if you complete a task. There is a punishment if you don't. This motivation method has us constantly surrounded in negativity, and our brains lose creativity. It is not effective in helping us manage our procrastination level.

2) Intrinsic Goal-Based Motivation: The goal at the end of the path and negative emotions are surrounding the process of reaching that goal. The problem with this motivation method is that our happiness is short-term after achieving our goal. We get used to our reward and become unhappy again, therefore generating procrastination in the long run.

3) Intrinsic Motivation by Path: Focus on happiness now, with attainable milestones guiding the way we go. We focus on a personal vision rather than large, overarching goals. This type of motivation fosters shared happiness between ourselves, our peers, and our values. Intrinsic motivation by path is the best method to overcoming procrastination.

Why Goals Don't Work

So why should people not set goals even though the gurus of self-motivation say it's the best thing? Having large, overarching, seemingly unattainable goals is not the best way to motivate ourselves; this even encourages us to avoid our goals until later on. This is why New Year's resolutions tend to not work, and we are left in a constant cycle of "I do nothing, I feel guilty, I doubt myself, I feel helpless."

Okinawa, Japan is home to the largest population of long-living and happy people. This population lives by the concept of ikigai (similar to a personal vision): doing what you love, doing what you are good at, getting paid for what you are good at and love doing, and helping the world become a better place. By following these four ideas, one can maximize his or her happiness and achieve goals without the hindrance of procrastination.

"Vision without action is dreaming, action without vision is a nightmare" — Japanese Proverb

For the full AuthorConnect Chat, check out the video below. Purchase copies of The End of Procrastination: How to Stop Postponing and Live a Fulfilled Life for your organization to learn more about overcoming procrastination.