What is the best way to stop procrastinating? I’ll tell you later. Ha ha ha…terrible joke. Most of us have done it. Some of us are better at it than others. The best procrastinators even justify it by telling themselves they work better under pressure. Regardless, any logical person will admit that procrastination is a weakness and they could be more productive without it. Here are a few tips that can get you out of the procrastination rut.
1. Create a list and prioritize – Generating a list is very helpful. You get to visualize everything that needs to be done and check things off as you go. You see progress along the way. You naturally prioritize as well.
2. Finish tasks before starting new ones – It is very easy to put things off because they are boring or difficult. Just finish them up, cross them off your list and move on.
3. Divide things into small tasks – Large projects are daunting and easy to put off. Tackle small chunks at a time and everything will come together in the end.
4. Establish deadlines – For those of you who feel you work better under pressure create your own deadlines. Be aggressive with them and push yourself.
5. Reward yourself – What better way to celebrate a deadline than giving yourself a reward? Force yourself to get a task done before you leave for lunch. Schedule a fun task following a boring one.
6. Avoid distractions – When doing a task you don’t thoroughly enjoy it is extremely easy to get distracted. Lock yourself up. Turn off your cell phone. Don’t check your email. Do what it takes to gain focus and get the job done.
7. Enlist help – It can be very helpful to have someone pushing you. See personal trainers and drill sergeants. Tell a coworker, spouse or friend what you need to accomplish and ask them to check in on your progress.
Go forth and conquer!
