Stop Procrastinating Now!
Sometimes, it does not matter how badly you want to do something, you just cannot shake the feeling that it is impossible. This might stem from a deep fear of failure or insecurities in yourself. It might come from the worry of trying to reach outside of your comfort zone, but realizing that you are unsure of what you are doing. Finally, sometimes procrastination is simply the result of working too hard for too long and the mind needing to take a break.
Regardless of where this procrastination comes from, there are several strategies that you can use to overcome. Arming yourself with these strategies is important, because for every minute you are procrastinating, you are another minute away from reaching your goals. Read on to learn how to stop procrastinating.
Beating Procrastination Once And For All
Start with the Hardest Thing First
Are you worried about the numerous tasks you have set for yourself that day? If so, then start with the hardest task right away. Often, the harder the task is, the more you will dread it. By starting with what you are dreading, you are putting yourself in control of your day. You are also setting the tone for the productivity for the rest of the day. After all, you have already gotten over the biggest hump so everything else should be easier.
Break Up the Task into Smaller Ones
If you have ever faced a particularly large project, then you might know that the biggest struggle is knowing where to get started. Take the large assignment and break it into smaller tasks. Not only will this make it seem less overwhelming, it will give you an idea of where you need to start.
Re-Plan Your Day at 2 p.m.
When you read about successful people, the advice they give is to set the bar high. After all, you do not know what you are capable of unless you try. In fact, you should believe that you can accomplish more, because it might turn out that it is the truth. Even so, sometimes we put too many things on our plate or we underestimate how long something is going to take. This makes it a good practice to re-plan your day every day at 2 in the afternoon. This gives you a few minutes to reflect on what you have already accomplished and feel good about it. Additionally, you can re-prioritize your tasks and take care of the most important ones before the end of the day.
21 Great ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time.
Have an Anti-Procrastination Friend
If you are trying to find time for yourself or want to lose weight, it can be easy to lose sight of things when you are stressed. If you are having trouble holding yourself to a higher standard, enlist the help of a friend who will check in at a certain time to be sure you are on task. Successful people do not get their alone, especially those who have been encouraged by parents, friends, and other family members. It is a great way to hold yourself accountable, making it more likely that you will accomplish what you set out to do.
Use a Timer to Ease Dread
Some people procrastinate on large tasks because they fear they do not have the willpower to get through it all. They may be unsure of how to focus on that size task for a long period of time or simply cannot get in the right mindset to commit to productivity. When this happens, set a timer for yourself and dive in. It does matter what you do during these ten minutes, as long as you are doing something. When the timer goes off, evaluate what you have done. This small success will encourage you—so set the timer for a longer amount of time and see what you can accomplish again.
Stop Multitasking
One of the biggest mistakes that people make is trying to multitask when they are struggling with procrastination. It is easy to say that there is an excuse, since you are not necessarily procrastinating if you are checking emails. The reality is that regardless of how productive the side activity is, you are still procrastinating. People who multitask are actually taking valuable work time away from themselves. It seems more productive, but it takes the mind several seconds to readjust each time that you switch to a new task. These add up throughout the day—wasting time that you could have been doing something valuable.
Further reading:
A New Way to Understand Procrastination
Why Wait? The Science Behind Procrastination
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