Can we talk about procrastination?

I’ll be the first to put my hand up and say I’ve perfected procrastination in my lifetime.

Ask me how satisfying it is to organise the spice drawer in alphabetical order and you’ll understand the level of procrastination I’ve achieved.

But procrastination is perhaps the greatest of all limiting behaviours.

What’s really crazy about it is that when we procrastinate, most times we are totally aware we are avoiding the thing we really need to be doing and that it’s probably a bad idea to do so and yet, we still resort to organising the spice drawer.

So you see procrastination isn’t about laziness as most of us might suggest, it is a sign that there are underlying thoughts and feelings that are contributing to our decision NOT to take action on the things that will move us closer to our goals and desires.

Can we talk about procrastination?

Procrastination especially holds us back when it becomes a habit.

Habits like not keeping the promises you make to yourself on a regular basis, having a constantly growing to-do list, always running out of time, or feeling like it’s never the right time are all signs you may be procrastinating.

You might also be procrastinating if you work well under pressure (A.K.A. leave things to the last minute), you struggle to make decisions, or you often feel anxious and overwhelmed.

The first step in overcoming procrastination is understanding how it shows up for you.

When you understand how, when and why it shows up in your life, you can make a plan for it and replace your procrastination with behaviour that will move you closer to, instead of further from, creating the results in your life you want.

So tell me, who can relate to procrastination?

Procrastination 101

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or activities, often to the point of experiencing negative consequences. It’s a common struggle that many people face, but it can be overcome with awareness and effective strategies.

Here’s a guide to understanding and dealing with procrastination:

  1. Recognise the reasons: Procrastination can stem from various factors, such as fear of failure, perfectionism, lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, or even boredom. Reflect on the underlying reasons behind your procrastination tendencies to better address them.
  2. Set clear goals: Establish clear and specific goals for each task or activity. When you have a clear target in mind, it becomes easier to focus and take action.
  3. Break tasks into smaller steps: Large tasks can be intimidating and overwhelming, leading to procrastination. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps. This makes the task seem less daunting and allows you to make progress incrementally.
  4. Prioritise and schedule: Determine which tasks are most important and prioritise them. Create a schedule or to-do list, and allocate specific time slots for each task. Set realistic deadlines and commit to them.
  5. Manage distractions: Identify the things that distract you the most and find ways to minimise or eliminate them. This could mean turning off notifications on your phone, finding a quiet workspace, or using website blockers to limit access to distracting websites.
  6. Use the Pomodoro Technique: The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method where you work for a set period (e.g., 25 minutes) and then take a short break (e.g., 5 minutes). After a few cycles, take a longer break. Breaking work into focused intervals can improve productivity and reduce the tendency to procrastinate.
  7. Find motivation and rewards: Discover what motivates you and use it as a reward for completing tasks. It could be something as simple as taking a short break, treating yourself to a small indulgence, or engaging in an activity you enjoy.
  8. Overcome perfectionism: Perfectionism can be a major cause of procrastination. Remember that no task can be perfect, and it’s better to complete something and improve upon it later than to delay indefinitely. Embrace the concept of “good enough.”
  9. Seek accountability and support: Share your goals and deadlines with someone you trust or find an accountability partner. They can help keep you on track and provide support and encouragement along the way.
  10. Practice self-care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, eat healthily, and manage stress. When you feel your best, you’re more likely to be motivated and productive.

Remember, overcoming procrastination is a gradual process. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. By implementing these strategies consistently, you can develop better habits and reduce the tendency to procrastinate.

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