Tap to Read ➤

Procrastination: How to Stop Procrastinating

Stopping procrastination is difficult, but not impossible!
Deepa Kartha
Procrastination is a crucial reason that stops us from achieving our goals. Procrastination can affect every aspect of our lives, be it personal or professional. Hence, overcoming it is of utmost importance to fulfill our goals.
Procrastination is an action where we delay or avoid doing something for various reasons. It could be because we lack motivation, are overwhelmed with the work that lies ahead, or are afraid of the consequences.
Often procrastination leads to last minute haste or other problems in the future. For instance, putting off studying when you know exams are near, or not starting your diet and exercise regimen even though you are aware of your rising weight and the unavoidable health problems.
The worst thing is that a procrastinator is aware that the consequences of doing it would be negative and still continues to do it. In a way, it becomes a difficult task to bring your mind and heart together to complete the task that you are putting off by procrastinating.
"You may delay, but time will not."
 Benjamin Franklin
Stopping procrastination may seem impossible if you have been doing it most of your life. However, if you put your heart into it and really want to transform your behavior, there are ways with which you can get rid of the habit of procrastination.
Is it Possible to Stop Procrastinating?
To stop procrastinating, you need to change the way you look at life. One of the most important things to do is being consistent with the efforts you put a stop to your tendency of procrastination.
Ways to Stop Procrastinating
A huge project may seem too overwhelming, giving you the chance to put it off for the present time. Instead of getting confused and anxious about the whole thing, break down the entire thing into smaller tasks.
Break Down Your Tasks
Apart from breaking down the tasks, it is also important to set deadlines for each and every one of them. This would help you to stay focused and work towards competing each one of them on time.
Set Deadlines
Once you divide the tasks, prioritize them as per difficulty level. Moreover, make sure to tackle the hardest one first thing in the morning, when your body and mind are fresh, and chances of procrastinating are at the lowest.
Tackle the Most Difficult Task First
In today's age, distractions are right on our hands: our mobile phones. The best way to avoid browsing the internet or scrolling through your social media pages is to switch off the phone completely. Keeping it in another room would also be a good idea.
Remove Distractions
Multitasking may make you feel overwhelmed, leading you to procrastinate. You may feel like completing a variety of things, but the quality of the work would suffer. Hence, single-minded focus on whatever you are doing is very important.
Do Not Multitask
Every human, be it young or old, likes the idea of getting rewards, making them an ideal way of motivation. Promise yourself a reward or treat each time you complete a goal without procrastinating. Dining at your favorite restaurant, going shopping, watching a movie, etc. can be good rewards to encourage yourself to complete your tasks.
Reward Yourself
Procrastinating becomes difficult if you keep another person in loop about your project. It could be your spouse, parent, sibling, friend or colleague. By taking another person in loop, you become responsible and accountable for every action you take.
Take Another Person in Loop
The idea of your friend or family member asking you about your project would help you to stay away from procrastination and complete your project on time.
"A year from now you may wish you had started today."
Karen Lamb