An important deadline is approaching, yet you catch yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram reels? Looks like you have a case of procrastination.
Jokes aside, we’ve all been there at least once – no matter how urgent or serious the task you need to tackle is, your mind wanders away, looking for something else to do.
Fear not because this article will help you stop procrastinating once and for all!
1. Recognize procrastination patterns
The very first step towards a solution is admitting that you have a problem. By recognizing your procrastination patterns, you get to tackle the real issue behind it. While procrastination in microdoses can be helpful, you should always be aware of behavior patterns that lead you to it.
Here’s a list of common procrastination triggers:
- Lack of motivation;
- Overwhelming amounts of work;
- No clear vision for the day;
- Unrealistic goals and over-promising;
- Impostor syndrome;
- Physical and digital distractions;
- Personal issues and mental health problems (stress, depression, and anxiety).
Instead of forbidding yourself from procrastinating, try to tackle the real reason why you’re doing it.
2. Break it up into smaller chunks
Proper time management can help you with eliminating procrastination from your work time, but it’s easier said than done.
The best way to manage time better is to break your tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces.
If you have a certain amount of focus to spend for the day, make sure to ration it!
3. Declutter your environment
To minimize the risk of falling into a procrastination trap, you should try to keep your work in a clean environment. Keep your workspace and your desktop as clean as possible. Procrastinators should do this for two major reasons:
- If you keep a clean workspace, you lower the chance of getting distracted by something more engaging around you (TV, smartphone, books, old photos – you know your poison)
- A clean workspace means that you won’t be distracted by what needs to be cleaned. A lot of procrastinating people start cleaning when work gets dull.
4. Declutter your digital space as well
Keep your digital space in mind as well. Things like the Do Not Disturb mode on your phone can save you from a lot of distractions. If you get distracted with stuff on your computer, you can get apps to block certain programs or websites. All in all, digital distractions can make you procrastinate even more than physical ones.
Keep your email inbox tidy, clean your desktop, and block distracting apps. Also, consider automating as much as you can. For example, a password manager will help you create and store complex passwords without having to keep a list or memorize them.
Additionally, a Kanban-type board can help you with daily planning and time management. So, if you plan and automate, there’s less digital stuff to distract you.
5. Try not to aim for perfection
People with a strong and developed imagination AND a tendency towards perfection fall into procrastination all too easily.
The thing is – if you plan for perfection, the sheer scope of work that has to be done can (and will) suck all the motivation out of you. That’s why it’s important to aim high, but also to set realistic expectations and even be prepared for failure sometimes. Just remember to fail forwards.
6. Take meaningful breaks
Lack of actual rest can lead to procrastination as well. And no, scrolling through your feed on the couch for half an hour does not qualify as a break.
Our bodies are made for moving, not sitting. And, by sitting in an office chair for hours, all that unspent energy accumulates, driving your attention and focus to the ground. You need to spend some time away from the screen and allow your body and mind to rest. Also, thinking about work while you relax isn’t exactly resting.
If you’re having trouble and need help to relax, try going for a long walk or simply try meditating at home. Even as little as 10 minutes of me-time a day can help with chronic procrastination.
7. Adopt the “just get started” mindset
Getting started always seems harder than it actually is. But, once you get started, your brain realizes that the task is not the end of the world, and you can get on with your work. So, how do you “just get started”?
The key is to give the task an honest 2 minutes of your time. Try to grasp the issue and figure out how to start the solution without going into detail. Here’s the thing – the first few minutes are key. And if you manage to stay on target for that short period, chances are that you are going to continue working.
In conclusion
Even the best of us tend to procrastinate every once in a while. Procrastination can be a good thing, especially when it comes to creative processes. But, you must not allow your procrastination episodes to get out of control.
Get rid of distractions, plan your day, don’t aim for perfection, and try to automate and clean up your digital space.
Now, it’s time to stop procrastinating and get back to work!