The act of delaying tasks is otherwise known as procrastination, and it’s something that a lot of people struggle with. In fact, some people delay tasks so much that completing them then becomes a source of stress. Often, we find ourselves procrastinating the most minor things, and the procrastination is what builds them up and makes them seem impossible to tackle. Procrastination is something that people experience in both personal and professional capacities; however, putting the right strategies in place can mean that you can combat procrastination.
Whether it’s giving Sadaqah or completing a work task that you’ve been putting off for a while, detailed below are just some of the top strategies for overcoming procrastination and getting things done.
Understanding Procrastination
Before you can go about combatting procrastination, you need to gain an understanding of why you do it. There are a number of factors that go into procrastination, including the following:
- A fear of failure – Being scared about not doing a task well can prevent you from approaching it altogether.
- Perfectionism – If you convince yourself that a task needs to be done perfectly, you might avoid doing it completely.
- A lack of motivation – When something doesn’t have immediate rewards, or you’re not interested in it, you might choose to avoid it.
- Overwhelm – The size or complexity of a task can sometimes be overwhelming, which prevents you from tackling it.
- Poor time management – Without a clear plan or structure in place, procrastination becomes easy.
Strategies to Overcome Procrastination
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
As previously mentioned, feeling overwhelmed by a task often leads to someone procrastinating. Therefore, if you break it down into smaller and more manageable steps, it’s sure to become less daunting. For instance, when writing a report, you might start by outlining the sections and researching them accordingly. Following this, you can write one section at a time, which allows you to focus on each part, making everything seem more achievable.
Set Clear Goals and Deadlines
By putting specific goals and deadlines in place, you give yourself a sense of direction and urgency. When you give yourself the vague goal of “work on the project”, you give yourself excuses not to complete it. Whereas, if you give yourself the goal of “complete the project outline by Wednesday”, you then need to hold yourself accountable if you don’t get it done. Calendars, to-do lists, and project management apps are just some of the tools you can use to keep on top of your deadlines and progress.
Use the Pomodoro Technique
If you’re on the hunt for a time management method that requires you to work for a set period, then the Pomodoro Technique could be really effective. The Pomodoro Technique requires you to work for 25 minutes before a short break, and this works to help you maintain focus and prevent burnout. So, set a timer and work for 25 minutes without distractions. After the timer sounds, you can give yourself a five-minute break. You can then repeat this cycle four times and take a longer break. With a method like this, it’ll be much easier for you to remain productive and break your procrastination habits.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are often responsible for procrastination, so it might be a good idea for you to turn off notifications on your phone, create a clutter-free workspace, and use a website blocker to prevent you from accessing distracting sites. If you’re able to create a conducive environment, then you’re able to carry out more focused work and resist the urge to procrastinate.