5 Ways To Beat PROCRASTINATION and Get Shit Done
As a previous self-proclaimed ‘Procrastination queen’ I can completely understand this common problem that affects many people, and the difficulty in overcoming it.
Procrastination delays you from taking action on important tasks and activities until the last minute, this can cause stress, and even lead to missed opportunities.
Here are 5 effective strategies to help you beat procrastination and get shit done.
1. Identify the Root Cause
To rid yourself from procrastination, the first thing you need to do is figure out why you're procrastinating.
There are many reasons why people procrastinate, such as fear of failure, lack of motivation, or feeling overwhelmed.
Identify the root cause of your procrastination to develop strategies to address it.
One example might be, if you're afraid of failing, try changing your perspective of failing and seeing it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
If the reason you procrastinate is because you lack motivation, instead of trying to do everything at once, break down your tasks into smaller things to do.
2. Prioritise Your Tasks
Something I still do now is open what looks like.one hundred tabs on my computer thinking i can do it all in one go.
But recently I realised prioritising one or two things were much more effective and in some cases meant I got more done.
Make that to-do list of yours shorter.
Just because a to-do list has 50 lines on the notepad, it doesn’t mean you must fill it completely with a list of 50 things to do knowing you won’t get through half of it.
If the number one priority for the day is just one thing, then make the intention to only do that one thing.
3.Make your Tasks Smaller
Once you have prioritised the most important task, find out how you can make it smaller. This might be by cutting down how much time you spend on it.
The idea is not to become overwhelmed, because once that feeling hits, everything goes out the window and the only important task becomes a Netflix binge.
Use the Daily Planner Notepad to help you decide which tasks are a priority and how they can be made smaller.
4. Good vs Bad Distractions
When you're distracted, it's easy to lose focus and put off important tasks.
But not all distractions are made equal. Listening to music might just be the distraction you need to make the time pass by.
However, having your phone close by could tempt you away from what you want to do and lead you into mindlessly scrolling on social media.
To eliminate distractions, notice what you are distracted by and remove it from your environment until what you need to get done, is done.
If social media is distracting you, turn off your notifications or use an app that blocks social media during work hours.
This does require a level of discipline but it’s worth doing if it boosts your productivity.
5. Reward Yourself
Don’t forget to reward yourself. When you reward yourself for completing tasks, you feel motivated to keep going.
Reward the completion of each task in whatever way brings you joy.
I usually give myself permission to be lazy for the rest of the day or binge The Real Housewives of Dubai with a bag of sweets.
Whichever way you choose to reward yourself, make sure it’ something which is meaningful to you and that will help you stay motivated.
