Using NLP for Procrastination: 5 Action Steps to Get Stuff Done Now

Ah, procrastination. That timeless villain in the saga of “Why Isn’t This Done Yet?” You know you’ve got important stuff to do, but somehow, your social media feed looks so much more appealing. Sound familiar? Well, there is no better time that the present to learn NLP for procrastination.

So why not get going?

1. Get Crystal Clear: The NLP for Procrastination Starter for 10

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—or, in this case, a single thought. Confused objectives often invite procrastination. So, get specific! What’s your goal? What do you want to achieve?

It doesn’t need to be huge. It can be as simple as tidying a drawer, or writing a draft arrticle. Define it, visualize it, and jot it down.

Why use NLP for procrastination here? When your brain focuses on a clear, positive outcome, you’re less likely to wallow in the “Should I? Shouldn’t I?” dance that fuels procrastination. Keep that goal in sight, and you’re already winning.

2. Embrace the ‘As If’ Scenario

This one’s a gem. Pretend you’re already accomplishing the task. If it’s a work project, see yourself in a specific location, successfully submitting it and relishing that moment of triumph. This is NLP for procrastination at its finest. Your brain can’t tell the difference between a vivid imagination and reality, so give it something good to focus on! Make it vivid, make it real.

3. Trigger the Anchor

Do you remember your first kiss every time you hear a certain song? That’s anchoring! The song is an anchor to the kiss. To counter procrastination, choose a small physical action—say, snapping your fingers. Now think of a time you felt super-productive and focused. Anchor that feeling to your action, by reliving it in your imagination while performing the action.

Do this over and over again – maybe ten or twenty times. Take a break between each repeat.

Next time procrastination sneaks in, snap your fingers and release that anchored feeling of productivity. This is NLP for procrastination in action!

4. Take a Timeline Therapy® Walk

Imagine your future timeline as a real line ahead of you, or out to one side or another. Whatever works for you.

Got your mental timeline? Good. Now walk along it and envision a future where you’re nailing tasks left, right, and center as you go.

When you get to the end, look back along that timeline. Are those pesky procrastination spots even relevant now? Didn’t think so. Thank NLP for procrastination for this time-travelling reality check!

5. Swish it

For the grand finale, create a mental image of your procrastinating self (perhaps curled on the couch with Netflix?). Now make that image small and distant. Replace it with a cinematic, full-color image of you as a productivity rockstar.

Keep swapping these images, making the procrastination picture tinier each time. This is the Swish Pattern, and it’s like NLP for procrastination on steroids.

These are simplified examples of powerful uses of NLP for procrastination. There are plenty of examples of similar processes on this site, and you can read a book on the subject if you want to learn more.

This is your 5-step action plan for beating procrastination using NLP. All you’ve got to do is do it! You’re now armed and ready to turn that to-do list into an “It’s Done!” list. So what are you waiting for? Procrastination doesn’t stand a chance!