Everyone procrastinates... sometimes. But if you find that it is a constant problem for you, it’s time to make a few changes in your life.
Below are several tactics you can use to help yourself stop your procrastination habit.
1. Break the task into more manageable ones
Procrastination can arise when you feel you are facing a massive task that you don’t believe you can finish.
Put a stop to this thinking by breaking up the task into more manageable pieces.
For example, if you have to clean your basement, resolve to clean one of the four corners each day instead of trying to tackle it all at once.
This tactic can help make any task more manageable and feel less overwhelming.
2. Make A Deadline
Now is not the time to tell yourself you will do something ‘later’ Instead, set a strict timeline with sections of your goal having deadlines.
This way, you know when you will be completing something. It may also help to have a small reward for yourself along the way.
An example of this would be a student needing to write a four-page paper. For each page they complete, they can reward themselves with fifteen minutes of phone time.
3. Stop Your Common Distractions
Usually, when someone procrastinates, it’s for the same reasons each time.
Like when you were going to clean the kitchen, but then you just had to watch a new TV show instead.
You can put a stop to this by eliminating common distractions or procrastination tactics for yourself.
If the TV is a distraction for you, try working in another room.
4. Spend Time With Motivated People
There's nothing quite like hanging out with someone motivated to boost your motivation.
Find a friend or colleague whose motivation you admire, and resolve to spend more time with them.
Or set up an 'accountability partnership' - get a buddy in on your plans and decide to help keep each other motivated.
Either way, it's much easier to stop procrastinating when you’ve got others around you who are accomplishing remarkable things!
In summary, discontinuing your procrastination habits can be difficult.
Yet it can be done by changing some minor things in your life.
Start by dividing up the task, making deadlines, and getting rid of your most common distractions.
Then surround yourself with other positive people, and you will soon find you procrastinate tasks less than ever before!