6 Steps to Beat Procrastination

"Your paper’s deadline is next week. You have plenty of time to gather information and actually work on it. But there is a TV show you just need to watch, social media you need to update and browse through, and emails you need to check, so you put it away for a day, and another and another. Suddenly, the due date looms tomorrow. Panic sets and you start scrambling everything to finish your paper, pulling an all-nighter. In the end, you manage to meet the deadline, but you end up feeling super tired and you do not think you have done your best with the paper."

Does this scenario sounds familiar?

If not, then you might be among the lucky few.

But for everyone else, welcome to the land of the procrastinators.

Let’s face it, everyone procrastinate. But only the lucky few have managed to find ways to combat procrastination, and to nobody’s surprise, will usually be more successful in their study and work.

So, how to beat procrastination? Here are several simple steps you can implement in your daily life.

1.     Break it down into detailed To-Do Lists

You might put off a task because it is too overwhelming. You simply do not know how to start doing it. Therefore, the first thing to do will be to break down that big task into several simple and doable steps. Create a detailed To-Do list and set time blocks to do them. By doing this, you will have a guideline to be followed and the big task will not be too daunting anymore.

2.     Take the first step

So, you already have the schedule to be followed. The next step is to actually do them. Once you start doing things on your list, you will realize that the task is actually not that bad. Set up reminders with your phone for your daily tasks or leave notes on your desk or anywhere in your house. Find the best way to keep yourself motivated.

3.     Get external support

If you find it hard to keep yourself on schedule, get support from other people. Tell your friends or family about your goal, and they will gladly help you keep your motivation. When you have other people to continuously remind you of your tasks, you will feel obligated to do them.  

4.     Minimize distraction

To work effectively, you need to create a conducive work environment. This means that you need to remove all kinds of distractions, like TV, internet and social media, which will keep you from doing your work effectively. Try to work in a place without these distractions or loud noises and people who might disturb you from your work.

5.     Reward yourself

When you have managed to check things from your to-do list, reward yourself. You can watch some TV, read books or treat yourself to your favourite food. Give yourself some quiet time away from work to keep yourself fresh. By doing this, you will be more motivated to finish your other tasks as you have some rewards to look forward to.

6.     Be positive

You might fail to beat the lure of procrastination sometimes, this is fine. Do not beat yourself up over this one failure, you will only make yourself feel inadequate and reluctant to try again. Try to keep your negative thoughts away and learn from the experience. You can try again harder next time.

The road to beating procrastination start with the smallest thing. It is a habit after all, and it takes time for a habit to change. Keep on pushing forward and do not be discouraged by failures.

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