Procrastination is a big killer of dreams. Delaying, putting off things, slacking, hiding from work, facing work only when it’s unavoidable, then repeating this loop all over again. When we procrastinate, we waste our free time and put off important tasks we should be doing till it is too late. Then at the last hour, we hurriedly do the task unsatisfactorily, or don’t even do it at all. Chronic procrastinators I know have spent years of their life looped in this cycle.
The good news is, as with most habits , it is possible to overcome procrastination. We listed steps that you can follow to deal with procrastination.
Recognize That You’re Procrastinating
The first step is to recognize that you procrastinate. Without this, you will not be able to find solutions. The fact that you are reading this, is a sign that you already recognize that you procrastinate. And you are in search of a solution. So, congratulations, you passed the first step.
Find out why you are procrastinating
Understand the reasons why you are procrastinating before you can begin to find solutions to it. It might be that, are you avoiding a particular task because you find it boring or unpleasant? If so, take steps to get it out of the way quickly, so that you can focus on the aspects of your job that you find more enjoyable.
Also, poor organization can lead to procrastination. You can overcome this by using prioritized to do lists and create effective schedule. Another cause of procrastination might be an overwhelming feeling. A task can seem huge and you will be overwhelmed and put it off for the mean time.
One surprising cause of procrastination is perfection. Perfectionists are often procrastinators. Often, they would rather avoid doing a task that they don’t feel they have the skills to do, than do it imperfectly. Also. Poor decision making can cause procrastination. If you can’t decide what to do, you will likely do nothing in the end.
Break your work into little steps
Like we said earlier, part of the reason why we procrastinate is because subconsciously, we find the work too overwhelming for us. To solve this, break it down into little parts, then focus on one part at the time. If you still procrastinate on the task after breaking it down, then break it down even further. Soon, your task will be so simple that you will just want to do it once and for all.
Change your environment
The truth is that different environments have different impact on our productivity. Look at your work desk and your room. Do they make you want to work or do they make you want to sleep? If it is the latter, you should look into changing your workspace.
One thing to note is that an environment that makes us feel inspired before may lose its effect after a period of time. If that is the case, then it is time to change things around.
- Promise yourself a reward.
Rewards have a way of motivating us. If you complete a difficult task on time, reward yourself with a treat, something you like, like your favorite snack or food, or drink. Don’t take these things ordinarily unless you finish a task. Next time, you will be inspired to finish your task in order to have that reward.
Create timelines and deadlines
When you break down your project, then create an overall timeline with specific deadlines for each small task. This way, you know you have to finish each task by a certain date. Your timelines must be strict, that is, if you don’t finish this by today, it is going to jeopardize everything else you have planned after that. This way it creates the urgency to act.
Stay around people who inspire you to act
Identify the people, friends or colleagues who trigger you, most likely the go-getters and hard workers, and hang out with them more often. Soon you will inculcate their drive and spirit too. This hangout might be physical, or on social media. Follow the people that motivate you on your social media platforms.
Ask someone to check up on you.
Similar to the point above, peer pressure works! This is the principle behind self-help groups. If you do not have anyone to ask, an online tool such as Procraster can help you to self-monitor. Having a companion makes the whole process much more fun. Ideally, your checkup friend should be someone who has their own set of goals. Both of you will hold each other accountable to your goals and plans. While it’s not necessary for both of you to have the same goals, it will be even better if that’s the case, so you can learn from each other.
Finally, tackle the hardest tasks at your peak times . Identify when you’re most effective, and do the tasks that you find most difficult at these times. Procrastination can restrict your potential and ruin your career. It can also disrupt teamwork, reduce morale, and even lead to depression and job loss. So, it is important you take the above steps to stop it.
My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.
