5 Ways to Stop Procrastinating

The art of procrastination is common — probably more common than not. There are many reasons why we hold off on completing important tasks, no matter how simple or mundane they are. But why do we put off scheduling a doctor’s appointment or studying for an exam until the last minute? And how can we stop when it's become a habit?

Most of us procrastinate because we don't want to do some particular task. Either we're afraid of the outcome, or we're apprehensive of our ability to complete the task adequately, or we just want to do something else instead. Pleasure seeking is the most common reason — that is, we want to do something else more than we want to do the task at hand. This isn't the same as executive dysfunction which can be a challenge for some neurodivergent people. So how do we overcome this problem?

Prioritize Your To-do List

When feeling overwhelmed with too many projects to work on, it’s important to prioritize. Make a to-do list for the day and stick to it. Prioritize tasks using the Eisenhower Principle. This technique allows us to focus on what’s important and urgent. Focus on what could go right, and welcome those results rather than focusing on what might go wrong.

Create a Schedule and Project Plan

Sometimes we put things on the back-burner because we feel overwhelmed. There’s so much to do, creating too many options as to what to do next. Create a schedule for the day and prioritize around that. 

Work on organizing projects in order of urgency and importance. List step-by-step what needs to be done and be sure to have the tools on hand to do it. Set time frames for each task, and get everything done in that allotted slot. 

Set Time-bound Goals

We might put off doing important things in favor of accomplishing daily tasks when we may benefit more by considering the big picture. By looking at the overall picture, we can create deadlines to help us achieve everything on our to-do list, including our daily tasks. Hitting these timestamps will keep us moving on the big projects instead of procrastinating. 

Tackle Big Tasks At Peak Times

When we’re way past our deadline on a huge project, we might find ourselves completing little tasks in record time. Why is that? These tasks were completed in the morning when our minds were fresh and sharp. Now it's the afternoon, and we're too tired. 

No matter when our peak energy points are, morning or night, we can each schedule the most challenging tasks around our optimal times. Think of how great and freeing it will feel to have it done and how much easier it will be when done with a sharp mind. 

Use Time Management Tools

Sometimes the to-do list is so big, it's hard to know where to begin. The result? Wasted time. Consider using time management tools like the Pomodoro Technique. An alarm will buzz in 30 minutes, allowing us to take a short break before starting the next task. This technique breaks up the day and drives us to complete work on time.

Procrastination doesn’t have to wreck our productivity. Focus on doing, rather than avoiding. Tackle things as they come up, and minimize distractions. Get the creative gears moving by implementing strategies to thwart procrastination. Then claim a reward at the end of the day. No matter what, remember to congratulate yourself for being on top of one of the hardest parts of being productive. Well done!

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