Hi, you're listening to the savvy psychologist. I'm Dr. Ellen Hendrickson. I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

We'll use the best of psychology to help you be happy, relaxed, and most importantly,

yourself. Last week you made the savvy psychologist number one in education podcasts on iTunes.

So thanks for listening and for spreading the word

for a happier, healthier mind.

Today our topic comes by request from listener Anson N of San Mateo, California.

He speaks for millions of us when he asks how to stop procrastinating. Now procrastination is the opposite of inspiration.

It's when we shilly shally away our time when we're supposed to be doing something bigger and better.

So without further delay, here are six tips to help you stay on task.

Tip number one, change I have to to I want to.

A subtle shift in perspective can be just the nudge your psyche needs to get moving.

Try changing the dig in your heels phrase of I have to do this to a

chomping at the bit phrase of I want to do this. So for example I have to write the

stupid paper becomes I want to get enough credits to transfer.

Or I have to clean out this disgusting fridge.

Becomes, I want to make this smell go away.

Tip number two, aim for greatness, not perfection.

Perfectionism is actually a misnomer.

Perfectionists aren't focused on achieving perfection, they're focused on avoiding failure.

It's an all or nothing mindset. If I'm not perfect, I'm a total failure. If I'm not a winner, I'm a loser.

Perfectionism often comes from conflating performance and worth.

Perfectionists believe that their grades, evaluations,

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