Procrastination is a habit that befalls all of us at one time or another. It may look like you saying “I’ll do it tomorrow” or, “I’ll do it later.” Or it could look like you rearranging your spice drawer when there’s more important work to do. Sound familiar? It’s been said that ideas remain dreams until you take action. Procrastination interferes with action so knowing how to stop procrastinating is a crucial step in achieving your goals.
What is Procrastination
The word procrastination has both ancient Greek and Latin roots. In Latin, the word comes from the verb procrastinate — to put off until tomorrow. In ancient Greek, the word stems from the noun akrasia — doing something against our better judgement.
Putting off tasks here and there may not do much harm. However, when deferring work gets chronic, it could have a serious, negative impact. For instance, you may:-
- Lose your sense of self-worth.
- Experience higher levels of frustration, guilt, stress, and anxiety
- Have poor academic performance
- Miss out on opportunities
- Damage your reputation
- Put your health at risk
People rarely do something against their better judgement willingly. So, what is it about procrastination that makes it so prevalent and also seemingly so tough to beat? To answer that question, we need to understand what drives this habit.
12 Tips on How to Overcome Procrastination
Do you put things off until the last possible moment? Are you trying to break the habit but are not sure where to begin? Here are 12 tips on how to overcome procrastination that could help.
1. Do the Tough Things First
To beat procrastination, tackle your toughest work first. Doing takes energy, and we often have more of it earlier in the day. So, take a look at what you need to do, and organise it by the level of difficulty. Then, work on the most challenging things first.
2. Don’t Rely on Willpower Only, Build Systems
You’re less likely to put off important tasks if you’re following a system rather than relying only on willpower. Willpower is a fleeting resource that behaves very much like a firework. It starts fiery, stays for a little while, and then runs out whether you’re done or not. Systems (e.g. automatic savings plan, food prepping), on the other hand, are more consistent and are also yours to control.
3. Remove All Distractions
British politician Winston S. Churchill once said, “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” Distractions steal your attention and focus. You need both to create flow and momentum. The more momentum you’re able to create as you work, the less likely you are to procrastinate.
4. Break Bigger Tasks into Manageable Chunks
People who procrastinate often feel overwhelmed. Breaking a big task into smaller projects makes the work more manageable. Also, smaller tasks needless effort and energy, which increases the likelihood of their completion.
5. Get an Accountability Partner
If you’re prone to procrastination, consider working with an accountability partner. They can help you clarify your goals and follow through on your actions. When your feeling stuck or get distracted, they are there to motivate and encourage you.
6. Focus on Progress Not Mastery
It’s been said that perfection is really fear in disguise. It’s tough to start or finish your work if you’re afraid that it’s not going to be perfect. Progress, on the other hand, allows for room to make mistakes and grow.
7. Put Some Skin in the Game
Consequences can focus the mind. You’re more likely to finish what you start if not doing so is going to cost you something valuable. For example, let’s say you’re trying to lose weight and want to join a free gym. Chose one whose membership rates are high enough so that skipping always feels terrible.
8. Use the Pomodoro Technique
Procrastination is sometimes the cause of mental fatigue, which affects focus an energy levels. Working in timed blocks and taking frequent short breaks can help keep mental fatigue and procrastination at bay. In the Pomodoro Technique, you work for 25 minutes then take a 3-5 minute break. After four sessions you take a longer break of between 20-30 minutes.
9. Know “Why” You do What You Do
Bestselling author and keynote speaker Jon Gordon once said, “Anything worthwhile takes time to build.” Although it pays to be patient, it’s tough to stay the course when your goal seems way out of reach. Knowing the why behind the task can serve as motivation that keeps you moving forward.
10. Set and Celebrate Milestones
Celebrating small, incremental wins is a great way to overcome procrastination. It’s a reminder that you’re making progress which is crucial, especially when the endpoint is far off. When you know you get to celebrate, it strengthens your emotional and motivated state. Both of which, are essential for productivity.
11. Start Each Day With a Clear Plan
If you’re a chronic procrastinator, putting your life in order can help break the habit. So, “don’t start the day until you have it finished” as Jim Rohn, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker said. Think about what you need to do each day and allocate time for it. Not only will you be less stressed, but you’ll also be more productive.
12. Use the “2–Minute Rule”
All tasks are not created equal. There those that take time, while others you can finish in the blink of an eye. David Allen, the bestselling author of Getting Things Done says that any tasks that take less than two minutes, should be one immediately. Procrastinating on simple tasks adds to your to-do list and makes a bad habit even worse. You’re also wasting valuable brain strength on remembering that it needs to be done.
Conclusion
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Dillard observed that “how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Learn how to stop procrastinating so that you can do what truly matters. Remember, ideas remain dreams until you take action,
