How many hours a day to you think you waste time checking your Facebook, texting friends, or surfing the web when, really, you should be conquering your next task. Go ahead, I dare you to calculate the hours one day. It’s a scary thought, right?
Many of us procrastinate for different reasons: we hate our jobs, we’re bored, or we’re just avoiding our reality. If your procrastinating habits getting out of control, I’d recommend finding the root of the problem first. Perhaps there are some changes you need to make.
But if you’re procrastinating simply because it’s a bad practice you’ve developed throughout the years, here are some tips that can help you kick the habit.
1. Knock Out the Hardest Stuff First
There’s usually one task we avoid like the plaque. So in order not to face our fears, we find pointless activities to waste our time with. Instead, start each day by completing the most annoying task first—the one you don’t want to do. Not only will you be fresh and be able to get through it fast, but you’ll also feel very accomplished. And when you feel accomplished, you’ll feel motivated to do more.
2. Avoid Over Planning
I admit to being an organized freak. But I have found the balance between spending time getting organized and spending too much time where I don’t get anything done. Make a simple outline and then get going. You’ll have to revisit that plan and adjust later on, anyway.
3. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
If there’s one big project that is making you feel overwhelmed, don’t try to wrap your arms around the entire thing. Start by breaking the project into small tasks, and conquering each task separately. Stay focus on the steps and not the journey. You’ll get there once to take those steps.
4. Give Yourself a Deadline
Assign a date/time for when you want to complete your project. Make the promise to yourself and keep it. Don’t let yourself down!
5. Just Do
Don’t think about it. Don’t waste your time complaining. Instead, just jump into it. There’s nothing like completing something you thought you could never do.
xoxo,
Loren
