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Ways to Stop Procrastination Now
Does procrastination plague you? Are you having trouble following through and seeing your responsibilities through to completion?
Procrastination is a bad little booger, isn't it? Yet somehow it manages to sneak up on all of us at some point.
Even if you are a chronic procrastinator, there is hope... I have some great tips to share with you to stop procrastination dead in its tracks!
Get the Worst Thing Done First
There is always a lurking task that you dread, isn't there? If your greatest reason for procrastination is that you hate doing mundane or boring tasks, and then do them first.
By getting the worst stuff out of the way early, you will feel a great sense of relief and accomplishment that will propel you to keep moving to finish the rest of your list, and you’ll be less likely to procrastinate.
Plan Ahead and Plan Thoroughly
One of the best ways to combat procrastination is to plan. When you have a plan for your day, week, or month, the chances of you putting off doing what needs to be done will greatly decrease.
In addition to planning ahead, you should meticulously plan ahead. Create a step-by-step or numbered plan that includes every single detail. Many times, knowing exactly what you need to do will keep you motivated to keep going.
Start by creating a daily task list of what needs to be done. Then take that list and break it down into three sections: morning, afternoon, and evening.
Stop Trying to Do Too Much: Enlist Someone's Help
There are times when you know you've taken on more responsibilities than you should be able to handle. If this causes you to keep putting off some tasks every week, delegate some of those responsibilities to others. This does not mean that you are not capable, it just means that you are being wise with your time and resources.
Also, keep in mind that you should not delegate responsibilities because you don't feel like doing them… that is just being lazy. We recommend enlisting someone's help when you've taken on more than you can handle, not as a way to get out of doing something.
Stop Making Excuses!
The greatest enabler of procrastination is excuses. Those who put off doing things often do so with a ton of excuses why they cannot or should not. Stop allowing yourself to make excuses for your inaction.
Get Organized
There is nothing worse than needing something and not knowing where it is. And this tends to nurture your procrastinating habits. Organize your desk, home, your day, or anything that keeps you procrastinating.
Create A Self-Imposed Deadline
Deadlines make you feel the pressure. Even when it is self-imposed, just knowing that you have a specific day and time when the task is due will create a greater sense of importance. Don't tell yourself, no one will notice if I miss my own deadline. Take it seriously, and make a plan to complete your project by the deadline.
Get Your Priorities In Order
When your priorities are not in order, your entire life will become unbalanced and unstable. Sit down and determine what your main priorities are. Make a list of your top five priorities. Then live according to this list. When your priorities are in order, you'll less likely procrastinate.
Forget About Being Perfect
Many people say that their issues with perfectionism stop them in their tracks and cause them to procrastinate. If this describes you, then you need to actively forget about being perfect. Focus instead on completing the task, rather than getting it perfect.
Remind Yourself
Create something that reminds you to stop procrastinating. Make a list of benefits of getting things done and a list of consequences of procrastination. Keep that list somewhere visible, and it will get you moving once you fall in the procrastination trap.
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