The problem with procrastination is… well, we’ll fill that in later. The point is that you have work to do, and it will never get done if you procrastinate. Of course, recognizing that much is the easy part. The hard part is actually breaking the cycle of perpetual procrastination and not procrastinating in doing so! To that end, here are a few tips to help you stop putting things off and procrastinating your working life away.
Avoid Negative Associations
First and foremost, you need to avoid the negative associations that can perpetuate procrastinating. If you start thinking about a task with “I don’t” or “I can’t,” you’re halfway towards procrastinating already. Push those thoughts to the side. Don’t focus on what you can’t do but what you can.
Emphasize Action
With that more positive mindset, it is now time to emphasize action.
While there is a time and a place for thinking things through, eventually, you need to act. We can often trick ourselves into thinking that “thinking” about doing something is still “doing something.” While that can be true sometimes, it’s just another way of fooling yourself into procrastinating if done to excess. Set aside time each day during which you won’t just “think” about doing things but actually get them done.
Start Small
One of the biggest obstacles to conquering procrastination can be simply feeling overwhelmed. If you have ten things to do and you focus on that number “ten,” it can seem as if you have more than can ever be done and so you won’t get anything done.
Instead, focus on small victories. Don’t focus on the “ten” on that list but rather “one” at a time. As long as you are making progress, you are getting closer to your goal. Don’t focus on how far you still have to go, but how far you have come since starting.
If big tasks seem too overwhelming at the moment, just try and get anything done, no matter how small — it all adds up in the end.
Don’t wait — tackle your problem with procrastination today!