September 6th is National Fight Procrastination Day, which might be the perfect time to overcome your procrastination habit. Being a procrastinator can be tough, especially when you deal with many deadlines. More often than not, people end up doing anything they can that doesn’t involve the task they are meant to. This can even include eating or shopping, which can wage war on your budget. Procrastinating can also cut back on your earnings, especially if you are self-employed or are waiting on a bonus check or promotion. These quick tips will allow you to combat your procrastination problem, without throwing money at the issue. So, take a deep breath and reassure yourself that you can end this habit for good.
1. Don’t Stress Yourself Out
One of the main factors of procrastination is stress, which can manifest in a few ways. You might stress out about the thing you have to do to begin which causes you to put it off for longer. Another problem is natural procrastination, which might cause you to stress out about the deadline. The main way to combat the problem of stress is to not think about the job as something difficult, even if it is. Instead, try to make some fun out of the experience. Even if you’re on a tight deadline, you should try to get in the mindset that the job is a challenge, rather than forcing yourself to watch the clock throughout the process of completing your task. By tricking your mind into not being stressed, you should find the task easier to complete. This will not only help with your current procrastination problem but might help you avoid the problem in the future.
2. Start Easy
Another problem is, many people try to tackle tasks as a whole. When you’re feeling like putting a task off then the idea of a huge project can be overwhelming. So, instead of viewing the task as a problem in the beginning, force yourself to work for at least fifteen minutes. When you’re finished with your fifteen minutes then take a break for a few minutes. If the inspiration still isn’t there, then work for another fifteen minutes. At one point, you’ll be eager to pass a certain portion of the task, so you will probably end up working for longer than fifteen minutes. If you begin your task early by doing this, then you can easily get it done faster using this method for a few days opposed to getting it all done in one sitting. If you do have to get the task done in a day, then the fifteen-minute method will allow you tackle other tasks while working on your main project. This will help take more pressure off of you, so you can feel more comfortable and relaxed while working.
3. Take Breaks
Taking breaks can be the best way to cut back on issues when you’re having a procrastination problem. More often than not, procrastination gets the best of us because there are other things we’d rather be doing. So, give your mind some time to do something you want. You should take breaks every 20 to 45 minutes to help your mind rest and to ensure you are practicing healthy habits. If you’re not taking breaks, then there’s a good chance you’re going to want to procrastinate again before you finish the task at hand. So, make sure you get up and move every now and then. Doing a couple of exercises between work can even help boost brain function. You might also consider a short walk to grab a snack or get fresh air. Another option is to put on some music or watch a short video to take your mind off of the task at hand.
4. Forget Perfection
Another major problem that people encounter is the idea of perfection. They feel they have to get the job done flawlessly on the first try, which can cause even more stress. When it comes to large projects, you should concentrate on completing the task before you get your mind set on making things perfect. Perfecting a task on the first attempt can take up a lot more time and cause even more frustration. When you’re finished with the task then go back over it. You shouldn’t feel as stressed out by this, which should give you the motivation to improve on your work.
5. Disconnect
Sometimes, procrastination isn’t always on purpose. We live in a world that is filled with distractions, which often causes us to put off the things we need to do without realizing how much time we’re spending on the distractions. One of the best ways to rid yourself of this problem is to actually disconnect until you can get the job done. Turning off your phone and turning your computer to airplane mode might be one of the first steps to help you. However, if you do need internet to complete your task then don’t fret. There are actually apps that can block distractions online. These allow you to block certain websites and messengers, so you can move on with your day. Many of these apps are actually free of cost, while those that aren’t free won’t break the bank.
6. Find Motivation
If you’re lacking in motivation, then there’s a pretty good chance that you’re going to let procrastination get the best of you. Motivation can be hard to come by though, especially if you’re not looking forward to doing something. However, there are lots of great techniques you can use to get yourself motivated. One way is to exercise before you take on a task. This doesn’t mean pushing yourself at the gym. Instead do an athletic activity you enjoy. You might also spend some time doing an activity that clears your head. You should choose an activity based on the project too. If you need creative motivation, then listen to music or doodle while brainstorming. You can also motivate yourself by reminding yourself that finishing the project will only improve your work life. Of course, motivation techniques do depend on the individual, so research methods to help you find the motivation you need.
7. Exercise
Believe it or not, but one of the best ways to help you get rid of your procrastination bug is to exercise. A lot of the time, a quick workout can help us to clear our minds, so we can tackle anything that we need to. Of course, stopping to do a few jumping jacks or sit ups while working can also improve your productivity. This is actually a lot better for your health too, which is a win win. Many people actually find that exercise is something they procrastinate at too, so by using this method you will actually be killing two birds with one stone, which might help you get rid of your procrastination problem altogether.
8. Follow a Schedule
Another way to help avoid procrastination is to make a schedule and stick to it. This can be tough, but if you tend to work best with routines then you’re going to get the most out of this technique. When you receive an assignment, schedule a little time to work on it each day. This will help you move through the task with ease. If you can keep your schedule going strong then you should be able to finish on time with less stress. Of course, you should also add in repercussions for not following your schedule. For instance, remove a reward you’d plan on treating yourself to if you don’t complete the schedule. With free time or a special treat out of the picture, you’ll want to get the job done so you can get back on schedule.
9. Ask For Help
Sometimes, the best thing we can do is ask for some help. If you’re working on a project for work, then see if you can work as a group instead of on your own. The team spirit might help you move the project much faster, which will stop procrastination in its tracks. Of course, if you don’t have the option of team work then have someone come in periodically to make sure you’re not doing something other than the project. Sometimes, knowing that you’ll get caught procrastinating will inspire you to get moving. This tactic might be especially great for college students working on their essays and research projects.
10. Reward Yourself
Of course, one of the best ways to get a move on when it comes to a project is to create a reward for yourself. This will give you an incentive to get a move on, so you won’t let the project drag out until the last possible moment. Your incentive doesn’t have to be huge though. For instance, you can treat yourself to a candy bar or pizza if you’ve been on a diet. You might even consider getting yourself a new outfit or a pair of shoes. Don’t let the price range get out of control though, as this will cost you too much money. You might even consider small incentives for each portion of the project you complete. A longer break or a small snack might work to your favor in this case. A reward system can really help inspire you to get a move on though, which is certain to help break your procrastination cycle.
Procrastination can really get in the way of life. This can cost us money and time that we won’t ever get back. So, on National Fight Procrastination Day you might want to try out a few of these methods to move on with your life and enjoy the extra time you have. On top of that, you’ll get the satisfaction of boosting your confidence when you complete the job on time with less stress than normal.
