5 Simple and Effective Ways to Overcome Procrastination

Use these 5 simple ways to overcome procrastination. When we procrastinate we tend to use one or more of these “Five Mindsets” to convince ourselves to put off doing the work. But by focusing on these alternatives we can learn to defeat procrastination.

 

1. You feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin:

Alternative: On a piece of paper write down all of the tasks that you need to accomplish. Number them from smallest to the biggest. Now start with the smallest and finish it, then move to the next task until you’ve finished them all. This is known as the snowball effect, because when you finish the smaller ones it will increase your momentum or desire to get the next task on the list completed.

 

2. You tend to do difficult tasks last when you’re in the mood:

Alternative: Tell yourself that the faster you get going and finish it the sooner you will be done with it. Think of something nice you will do when you are done with this task or project.   

 

3. You tend to put off work until the last minute, as you think

you work best under pressure:

Alternative: Create a new deadline, say half of the real one and challenge yourself to meet or beat this new due date. With bigger tasks or projects offer yourself a prize when you’ve finished, this will even help by making it more like a game.

“Work while it is called today as you know not how much you will

 be hindered tomorrow.” Ben Franklin 1758.    

 

4. You’re a perfectionist:

Alternative: You need to close your eyes, take some deep breaths or count to 10. Tell yourself that nothing is ever perfect and that you will “smile and enjoy your life”. Put on some soft music, use headphones if you must or take a walk and roll your shoulders. Now do your tasks without feeling any pressure, just relax and let the ideas flow out of you. You and only you hold the key to your perceptions, so relaaax!

 

5. If I wait, someone else will do it:

Alternative: Try to think of that raise you want? Tell yourself that if you do this project you will get the credit not someone else, and then you will have back-up reasoning for asking your boss for that next pay raise.

 

When you defeat procrastination you will have made tremendous
strides toward “Personal Development” and growth. You will
become more disciplined and more focused. The outcome of this
will be very rewarding in both your career and throughout your
life.


Mark