
Procrastination is a habit of putting things off until the last minute, or worse until it’s too late to get them done. It is really easy to procrastinate, especially when the only person you are accountable to is yourself.
If you have been struggling with this lately, here are some tips that can help.
Identify Why You Procrastinate
It is likely that you already have a good idea about what causes you to procrastinate, whether you feel it is in your control or not. Think of it as something that triggers you to stop working, gradually lose your focus, and then begin doing other things. This might be notifications on your phone, checking your email, having tasks that are a little more difficult, or even something like the weather outside.
When you know the reasons for your procrastination, it becomes easier to avoid them.
Figure Out When You Tend to Be Less Motivated
Likewise, there may be times of the day when you are more or less motivated, and when you tend to procrastinate a little more. Maybe you are someone who gets a lot of work done early in the morning, but once the sun comes up and people get loud, you lose concentration and are far less motivated. You could also be the complete opposite, where nighttime is when you are most motivated and are more likely to be distracted earlier in the day.
Finish Just One Small Task
If you feel like you want to procrastinate on tasks, just choose one very small thing to get done. This can give you a little momentum when you feel like all you want to do is watch Netflix or do anything but work. Pick the easiest task on your list to complete, and just get that one thing done. If you still don’t feel like working, go ahead and take a break. But in all likelihood, you will get the momentum to keep working and getting things done.
Set a Timer When Working on Projects
An easy way to stay on track even when you feel like putting it off is to set a timer. Use a Pomodoro timer where you work for 25 minutes straight, then can have a short break afterward. You can do just about anything for 25 minutes. It goes fast, and you can get a lot done when you are completely focused during that time.
Be More Organized
The more organized you are in your workspace, the less you will tend to procrastinate. It offers you fewer distractions and your mindset is much clearer and able to focus on work instead of the mess around you.
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