Are you forever putting off things, moving deadlines, ignoring your ‘to-do’ list? This is an all too familiar scenario for most of us. As a matter of fact, this is procrastination psychology. Despite the best of intentions, it seems to be a rather tricky habit to budge. We procrastinate even if the consequences could range from dire to dramatically stressful! Till now, we have seen some procrastination examples.
Now, however, let’s go through some of the strategies for overcoming procrastination:
Use to-do lists wisely:
Not to mention, one of the most misused tools of time management is the to-do list. We all make them, but don’t deploy it efficiently. Instead of tackling the tasks that are the most important, we give priority to easy things. We see more items checked off this way. Consequently, we end up copying key tasks over onto the next day’s list, and then the next day’s.
As a result, that key task becomes a crisis, and we find ourselves in a last-minute crunch. Schedule time for yourself when you have an important task to accomplish. It helps you a great deal in overcoming procrastination. Don’t allow less important tasks to encroach.
Break a big task into doable chunks:
Just as you wouldn’t try to write an entire book in one sitting, realize that some tasks are too large. Henceforth, they are complex to finish in one work session. If a project seems overwhelming, immediately divide it into more manageable pieces.
Further, try to tackle one piece at a time. Ultimately, schedule time to complete each of these less intimidating sub-tasks. This is regarded as one of the best ways to overcome procrastination.
Avoid distractions:
Don’t allow yourself to become distracted, either. In fact, let voice mail pick up phone calls. Moreover, if you simply can’t leave a ringing phone unanswered, turn off the ringer. Don’t convince yourself that it might be an important client whose call you shouldn’t miss. By all means, you will be contacted again if the matter is important. Stick explicitly to the task at hand. This is immensely helpful if you really want to kill procrastination.
Start small:
Recognize that you will never be able to completely eliminate procrastination from your life. For this reason, start with one area that’s been plaguing you, and then give it the attention it deserves.
Organize your workspace:
It’s difficult to accomplish the tasks at hand if it takes you an hour to put your hands on a key document. Determine particularly how best to file important papers, so that you can easily find them. This markedly remains at top of the list of tips to overcome procrastination.
Procrastination and Laziness go hand in hand:
People often search about how to avoid procrastination and laziness. To point out, always remember it is in your hand. People who are lazy often end up procrastinating a lot. On the positive side stop being lazy and procrastination will abate. Also, vice – versa is true.
The now habit:
This habit surprisingly helps you to stop procrastinating now. If you possess this habit, you will never delay what needs to be done now.
