6 things you can do to get unstuck and combat procrastination

You know what you need to do, but you don’t do it, or you wait until the last-minute. It’s called procrastination! Everyone procrastinates at some point in their life.  I know I am guilty!  I have found myself internalizing excuses to delay getting to certain tasks and then been frustrated when I fell behind.  Have I stopped procrastinating altogether?  No, that’s probably impossible.  However, I have found ways to manage my procrastinating tendencies so that my time is more productive. These strategies may work for you:

FIRST, KNOW THAT PROCRASTINATION TAKES ENERGY.

Thinking about doing something but avoiding the actual act of doing it takes energy. You end up spending more energy pondering about it and making excuses for it than just getting it done.

NEXT, UNDERSTAND WHAT’S CAUSING YOU TO HESITATE.

• Don’t enjoy doing that task?
• Too complex? Not sure where to start?
• Lack information?
• Little motivation?

THIRD, MOVE YOURSELF TO ACTION.

• CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES. What’s the impact of putting off the work you need to complete?
• FOCUS ON THE PAYOFF. What success or sense of accomplishment will you gain from completion of the task?

SPECIFIC WAYS TO GET UNSTUCK 

1. FIND YOUR DAILY RHYTHM. More challenging tasks should be done during your peak energy hours – the times of day you’re most alert and focused.
2. START IN THE MIDDLE. If you’re stuck starting a project at the beginning, try jumping to the second or third step to ease into the process.
3. START TOUGH, COMPLICATED TASKS BEFORE EASY ONES. If all the simple, less important stuff is handled first, you may not have energy to tackle the important items.
4. BREAK LARGER PROJECTS INTO SMALLER CHUNKS OF WORK. Think through the work stream and tackle each part individually.
5. SET A DEADLINE AND MAKE IT PUBLIC.  You’re more likely to stick to it if you tell others when you will have this completed.
6. CONTROL DISTRACTIONS. Identify your distractions and take steps to decrease or manage these inhibitors.

Procrastination hinders your productivity in more ways than one.  Once you identify what’s causing you procrastinate, implement strategies to get unstuck.  Move yourself to get things done and you will benefit from reduced stress associated with constantly feeling like you are behind schedule.

Related Posts

• I’ll do it later (metaversemodsquad.wordpress.com)
• 14 Ways To Procrastinate Productively | PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement (pickthebrain.com)
• Lead a procrastinating employee back on track (worksurvival.wordpress.com)