5 Steps to Kick Procrastination
Everyone procrastinates – whether it’s because they hate the task that they need to do or they “work better under pressure.” Sometimes procrastinating is a good thing, like if you’re completely unmotivated or in low spirits. In that case, it may be best to put that project off a day or two until your energy is high and you’re able to give the project your undivided attention.
However, if you find yourself constantly completing tasks past their due date or holding up progress for your team or company, then you need to make a change! Getting a better handle on your workload will improve the performance of yourself and your company, and it will also make you more confident and less stressed!
If you put the “pro” in procrastinate, try following these 5 easy steps to kick procrastination to the curb.
Write it down. Make the task at hand real and tangible by writing it down on a piece of paper along with the date by which you need to accomplish it. This will help you to hold yourself accountable and it will keep you from missing your deadline.
Reveal your feelings. Procrastination is an action you take due to certain emotions that the task makes you feel. Perhaps you are angry because it is a task that you hate to do. Or, maybe you’re sad because you feel inadequate to take on the job. Once you identify that emotion, you need to release it – let out a scream if you’re angry or watch a sad movie to let some tears out.
Think positive thoughts. Reverse your thinking from, “I can’t do this,” to “If others can do this, then so can I!” Believing that you can achieve something is half the battle.
Tackle it. Designate time in your schedule to start the task you’ve been putting off and just do it! Your mind may try to trick you by thinking of different excuses along the way. Try to remind yourself of how good you will feel once the task is complete.
Enjoy the win! Celebrate your success of completing that daunting task. This will help you to associate pride with overcoming difficult projects in the future, so you can kick procrastination for good!
“The best way to get something done is to begin.” – Author Unknown