5 Tips to Overcome Procrastination

5 Tips to Overcome Procrastination

Do you want to overcome procrastination in your life?

Are you looking for ways to finally get things done in less time?

Whether we care to admit it, or not, procrastination is something we all deal with from time to time.

We say to ourselves, “Things don’t have to get done right at this very moment, right?”

And just like that, we push off tasks and to-dos for a later date.

Now, the only problem with this approach, is that “later” always comes around much sooner than you think.

What’s more, pushing things back until “later” doesn’t free you from your responsibilities and duties.

Things still need to get done. So, just how do you overcome procrastination and get things done?

Here are a few tips that will help you take action right now:   

Give yourself a pep talk….and take action.

Sometimes, all you need is a bit of mental and physical inspiration to help you break free from a bout of procrastination.

This can easily be accomplished by saying aloud what needs to get done, and promptly attending to what said you’d accomplish.

For example, let’s say you need to bundle stacks of old magazines for recycling.

You’ve been putting the task off for months, and the stacks are overwhelming your garage.

You could say something along the lines, “I am recycling these old magazines,” and then walk yourself over to the garage, pull out a pair of scissors and some twine, and start bundling the issues.

Now, the only caveat with this approach is that you take action as soon as you speak your intent.

Don’t give your mind a chance to second-guess or question what you are doing.

Direct yourself to your workspace or where you need to do your work, pick up the tools you need, and start working.  

Crunch some numbers.

How can doing basic arithmetic get you over the hump of procrastination? Well, it all comes down to money.

Believe it or not, time really is money.

When you put off tasks, such as paying a bill or invoice, late fees, and other charges can quickly mount up if you’re not paying attention.

The longer you wait, the more cold-hard cash you may lose!

If you’re not yet convinced about how procrastination can cost you in financial terms, sit down with a pad of paper, a pencil, and a calculator, and crunch some numbers.

The numbers you see may give you a strong incentive to take care of tasks today…and not six weeks down the road. 

Turn to a friend for support.

If you’ve been slacking off on a task or project, having a conversation with a trusted friend may help.

You could ask your friend to discuss your project with you or simply provide some words of encouragement.

Maybe you’re just looking for someone to listen to your thoughts, or let you vent your frustrations, before you sit down and get started on your work.

In addition to cheering you on, your friend may bring a fresh perspective to your situation.

Who knows?

They might even suggest a few choice ideas, methods, or tools, that will help you do your work.

Break up a task into smaller steps.

Okay, so you don’t want to sit down and do an hour’s worth of filing. No problem.

Why not try for five- or ten- minutes’ worth of work, instead?

Sometimes, all it takes is a tiny bit of momentum to get you started in the right direction. 

Besides, even if you work for just five or ten minutes, you’ll still get some work done.

And we all know that doing some work is much better than doing no work at all.

Take a true break.

When’s the last time you took a full break from your work?

If you’ve been procrastinating on a task, you may find you’re too close to the item to clearly see things as they are. You may also find it difficult to make a decision or take action.

Consider completely unplugging from your work and give your mind and body a rest.

Take the words “true break” to heart.

Avoid everything and anything related to your project.

Avoid reading related emails, reading reports, scrolling through project materials, or logging into a project site or document.

Your break can last anywhere from a few minutes, to a couple of hours, or perhaps even a few days.

Keep in mind, you’re taking a small break and not an extended vacation.

This break is meant to help you break through the wall of procrastination, and not feed it.

Learn how to overcome procrastination

Time management is an important skill that everyone should learn and practice if they want to be successful at work.

My time management guide can help you learn how to overcome procrastination, prioritize tasks, and manage time in meetings.

If you want me to help you overcome procrastination so you get things done at work and feel in control, then check out my time management coaching services. Book a strategy session with me today!

How about you? How have you overcome procrastination in the past? Are you going to give the above method a try? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!

5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook Mockup
About the Author

Rashelle

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity consultant who helps successful entrepreneurs and business owners manage their time and energy so they can reduce stress, work less, and make more money in their businesses. She has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, NPR, and The Atlantic. Get her free guide, 5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook, by clicking here.

4 Comments

  1. Juanita Vega DeJoseph

    Just did 45 minutes with coffee mug nearby timer on and I finished going through a large pile of fabric and made four different piles that went into two pillow cases and two rectangular containers. My sewing/office room is slowly getting organized!

    Reply
    • Rashelle

      That’s fantastic! Keep up the good work. 🙂 Large organization projects are much more manageable when they are broken into chunks.

      If you’re looking for even more motivation, keep a little notebook record of your accomplishments, or tape a piece of paper to the wall. Write down what you’ve accomplished during each of your sessions, and watch your progress soar!

      Reply
  2. Jeff A.

    These are really Simple steps to get something done. Where are the steps to overcome procrastination?

    Reply

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