Reducing procrastination in 2020.
I’ve been meaning to write an article on procrastination for a week now, but I just haven’t found the time to get around to it. Now how could I have resisted an opening like that?
Do you frequently find yourself putting essential tasks off until tomorrow, later, or never instead of doing them today? If procrastination has worked its way into your life, it may be time to change the way you think about your tasks and goals and begin to utilize better ways of tackling those things you’ve been procrastinating on.
As you can imagine and probably know from personal experience when you procrastinate it not only affects the task but it can also affect you emotionally and bring on feelings such as guilt, inadequacy, and stress.
There are many reasons that we procrastinate. Poor time management, overwhelm, anxiety about a certain task and being bored by a certain task are just a few of the reasons that people procrastinate. In the end, procrastination usually leads to more stress.
Here are some tips for overcoming procrastination and building momentum:
Can you approach the task differently? Always be mindful of how you approach tasks. Ask yourself: Do I need to use a different technique? Will a new way of approaching this task makes me feel better? How can I get some JOY out of starting this project? We all work in different ways and are inspired by different things. Find what works well for you and go with it.
Be sure you have what you need: Make certain that you have the right information, equipment, and energy level to enable you to complete the task.
Plan, plan, plan: Did I say Plan? The time we spend in preparation and planning to see a task to completion is imperative. Set a time limit for yourself. Put a deadline on your tasks and work to reach that deadline.
Break it down: Big projects can feel overwhelming. Break them down into smaller subparts. You’ll get more done if you can do it piece by piece. Even the most dreadful tasks can be done in small increments.
Boost yourself up: Give your own motivation a good boost. Trust in your strengths. Take a moment to reflect upon other tasks that you have accomplished and feel good about! Keep reminding yourself that you can be successful!
Reward yourself: Celebrate and let yourself enjoy the completion of your tasks (large or small). It is important to never minimize your accomplishments.
Overcoming procrastination can be done and it usually involves both better organizational and time-management. You can start overcoming procrastination now and in the process, feel much better about yourself. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be surprised at how much joy, exhilaration and sense of accomplishment is on the other side of procrastination.
The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.
Amelia Earhart