Roots and consequences of procrastination
First of all, the reasons for procrastination can be diverse. This may be due to excessive perfectionism, problems with concentration, fear of making a mistake, or self-doubt. Each of these reasons is difficult to overcome.
The consequences of procrastination are also wide. Constant procrastination can lead to a significant decrease in productivity. Poor academic performance, failures at work and in personal life, and even health threats are some consequences of this bad habit. However, there is good news: it is possible to overcome! If you're ready to take control of your time and life, read the following helpful tips on how to stop procrastinating.
Tip 1. Start doing at least something if you feel chaos and don't know what to do first
Unforeseen circumstances often occur in life, causing us to postpone things for later and then feel stressed due to a large amount of work. This is normal, but what should we do in such a situation?
The answer is simple – do something. Do you have a lot of unfulfilled tasks at work because you got sick? Start by organizing your workspace and doing the least of these tasks. The main thing is that you start the work process. Even the smallest action can motivate you to continue and finally get work done!
Tip 2. The Rule of Three will help you start implementing your plans right now
If you feel that you have time now but you tend to put off tasks for later, use the Rule of Three. It’s one of the most effective ways to prevent procrastination. This approach is to complete the task in just three minutes. It's not much, but as mentioned in the previous tip, the most important thing is to start! Then, your brain will automatically adjust to work and want to finish it.
Let's say you need to write a work report for a month but can’t. Set a timer, count three minutes, and start writing a report. The result will surprise you!
Tip 3. Ask for help from people who can support you
Procrastination is one of the most common problems in our society, so it's okay to share it with your friends and family. People tend to procrastinate less if others expect them to do something. Therefore, your close ones can support you and help you quit procrastinating.
For instance, you might share plans with your friend who works out regularly to go to the gym three times a week. If you go together, you will have much less opportunity to put it off or make excuses not to do it.
Tip 4. Learn to say no to unnecessary things and focus only on your priorities
Sometimes, our main problem is that we pay too much attention to unnecessary things and don't have enough energy for significant tasks. We try to do everything at once, but this only creates the illusion of productivity.
Learn to say no to empty tasks and spend time primarily on what is important to you. For example, if you choose between tasks to check an e-mail and to finish work, whose deadline is today, select the second option. In this way, you will significantly reduce the level of stress and procrastination in your life.
Tip 5. Break big goals and tasks into smaller steps
We usually postpone tasks until later because of the huge amount of work that awaits us. Thinking about that enormous amount of work, we imagine how we will have to do it for hours, which only causes boredom.
However, it doesn't have to be this way! To quit procrastinating, try to divide your work into smaller steps. If you have a project to do, divide it into small parts and do several parts each day. This approach is much easier and more efficient than trying to do everything at once and in the last few days.
Tip 6. Don't shelve urgent and small tasks for later
Urgent situations often arise in our lives unpredictably. It can be a broken faucet in the kitchen or a sharp pain in the chest. In any case, these should never be postponed because the situation can only get worse.
When you feel such urgency, put aside all your plans for later and solve them. The sooner you seek help and solve this problem, the sooner you will be sure that nothing threatens your life, well-being, and safety. The same applies to small things. Use the Five-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than five minutes to complete, do it right away.
Tip 7. Encourage and reward yourself for the completed work
Procrastination is not an easy thing to overcome, and that's why any effort you make to do it is worth the reward! After you've written your to-do list, try giving yourself a small incentive prize after completing each task. It can be something small, like candy or watching a fun video on YouTube.
Moreover, don't forget to encourage yourself verbally! Tell yourself that you are perfectly able to cope with everything, and praise yourself for even the slightest progress. These positive self-talks and cherishing yourself for small victories will undoubtedly affect your productivity.
Tip 8. Don’t expect instant results, but overcome procrastination step-by-step
Overcoming procrastination can be complicated for many people because it requires a fundamental change in persistent habits. However, this shouldn’t scare you! Don’t expect great results and higher productivity immediately; remember that this isn’t an instantaneous process.
Instead, focus on making small improvements each day. Let's say that today, you managed not to put off a significant project and started working on it. Great, keep it up! It will only get better.
Procrastination is a common problem in modern society. Whatever the reasons for constant procrastination, it’s difficult to deal with them. However, using the above tips, you can start the path of overcoming the habit that is ruining your life. Practicing these pieces of advice will help you notice the ones that work and are the most effective for you. So don't wait — start implementing them now!
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