How to Overcome Procrastination.
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We
all have the potential to achieve amazing things – not only with our work or
jobs but also with other aspects of our lives. Unfortunately, we often put off
doing the things we should do until the last minute.
And sometimes we put it off for so long that we never get the chance to do it ever again. That is what we call procrastination and, in this article, I want to talk about procrastination, and how to overcome it.
Procrastination is the habit of delaying an important task, usually by focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead. It is different from laziness, which is the unwillingness to act.
Procrastination
can restrict your potential and undermine your career. It can also disrupt
teamwork, reduce morale, and even lead to depression and job loss. So, it's
crucial to take proactive steps to prevent it.
The
first step to overcoming procrastination is to recognize that you're doing it.
Then, identify the reasons behind your behavior and use appropriate strategies
to manage and overcome it.
Create
Deadlines-Real and Imaginary
We all have deadlines we need to meet and in the long run
those deadlines are the only way to get things done. If you want to stay up to
date with what you need done, set deadlines for everything.
So
many things in life have deadlines but we just ignore them. Take health, for
example. We should all try to keep ourselves healthy by eating right and
exercising. But most people only think seriously about their health when
they’re in their 70s and 80s (unless there’s a problem before that).
Create
deadlines for other things like blogging, creating a podcast, starting and
running your YouTube channel. To achieve these kinds of things we have to set
our own deadlines.
And
then stick to them.
The
Notebook
Have
a notebook with you all the time. It is important to take notes and record
events that need to be taken care of in the future. That is a great way to beat
procrastination. The notebook will be
the place where you will do all your planning.
The notebook can be split into daily, weekly, monthly or yearly plans. With a date, time, clear description and so on.
With modern technology, one can supplement the notebook with easy-to-use software’s like Slack, Reminders, Trello, Click Up and many others. Plan and stick to the plan.
Do
the hard tasks first
Many
people procrastinate due to the fact that they do the easiest tasks and leave
the hard ones. In that way they procrastinate to do it until it is very late.
Do
you know what you need to do? It is simple, plan and start with the hard tasks.
Then get back to the small/easier and enjoyable ones when you are tired. You
will get things done.
Manage
your environment
This
is very important. It is one determining factor to your concentration and how much
you can do. Ensuring that you are well stationed allows you to take control and
focus and that what you need if you want things done. Prepare your corner
office, your home desk and be ready to work. Doing that will motivate
you to keep working and in the long run deliver. That is the best way to beat
procrastination. Isn’t it?
You
Won't Regret
And
I guess that’s why I’m really writing this post. I don’t want you to have any
regrets down the track over things you could do now. Don’t just make
plans. Make deadlines as well. And stick to them.
So, what have you been procrastinating about? Tell us about it in the comments. And if you’re really game, tell us when you’ll have it done by.