We’re all guilty of doing a little bit of procrastination here and there. You know that cursed list of stuff you’ve been putting off doing whether at work or with chores at home and you know it’s getting really bad when it starts affecting your life because you put off doing really important stuff or making huge decisions.
Don’t let procrastination take over your life! We’re going to help you stop procrastinating in a few steps and we promise you after this list, you won’t look back.
By Mariam Elhamy
Step #1 Ask Yourself the Right Questions
Admitting that you’re procrastinating is the first step in cutting off the habit. Ask yourself the following: Stop Procrastinating
- Has a specific task been on my to-do list for a long time?
- Have I been doing meaningless chores like checking my email to put off doing something more important?
- Have I started on a task then got distracted by other things like took a phone call or got up to make coffee and never got back to the task I was doing?
- Have I been waiting for “the right time” or to be in “the right mood” to do this?
Step#2 Skip the To-Do List
Did you answer yes to all these questions? Now it’s time to take action so forget the to-do list and the over-organizing because it is what got you here in the first place. Just set a time frame and decide that you’re going to finish the task before that deadline.
Step #3 Limit Distractions
Focus on one task at a time and minimize anything that could distract you from the task at hand, like your phone or a TV running in the background. Stop Procrastinating
Step #4 Keep Going
Finished your first long-dreaded task? Don’t stop now! The satisfaction you got from finishing something you’ve been putting off for a long time is what will keep you going on a streak of finishing tasks. Put them all in one basket and make an active decision to try to finish them all in one day.
Step #5 Stop Overcomplicating Things
It’s okay to be a perfectionist as long as you get something done. Don’t overcomplicate your tasks so that it’s impossible to start or even finish them. If it helps, divide them into smaller steps to think of as milestones that you could check when done. That way you’ll be able to finish the whole project smoothly without getting sidetracked in the details.
Step #6 Take An Energizing Break
Allow yourself a break so that you don’t burn out. You’ll want to tackle the biggest tasks that require more mental energy at your prime time when you’re most productive. If you don’t want to lose your focus and get lazy, do the simpler less mental energy-consuming tasks while you recharge for bigger ones. Avoid meaningless super long breaks, they will only bring your energy level down. Stop Procrastinating
Step #7 Just Start Already
This does sound too much like a sports slogan but it really is the best solution. The first step is always the hardest but once you start you’re on a roll and before you know it you’ll be done. Stop Procrastinating
Step #8 Reward Yourself
The satisfaction that comes from finishing something that has been on the back of your mind for a while is already enough but it’s even more motivating if you reward yourself after making a big decision or making something happen for yourself. That way you’re bound to do more. Stop Procrastinating
