How To Stop Procrastinating
Well, hello there, my fellow procrastinator!
We’ve all been there, right? The dreaded moment when we’re supposed to tackle a task, but instead, we find ourselves scrolling mindlessly through social media or reorganizing our sock drawer.
It just doesn’t make sense sometimes. I can put together an entire website in one night if I am motivated to do so, but sometimes a small, simple email takes me hours.
But that email isn’t really simple, isn’t it? Because if it were, I’d have it done in 1 minute.
Procrastination isn’t necessarily about being lazy or lacking motivation. There are a lot of factors at work.
There’s a simple yet powerful question that can help us understand why we procrastinate (and, therefore, how to overcome it): “What about this feels hard?”
Fear of Failure:
Ah, the good old fear of failure. It’s a common reason why we procrastinate. Whether it’s a challenging project or a nerve-wracking presentation, the fear of falling short can be paralyzing.
Just acknowledging that you’re feeling this is helpful.
By acknowledging this fear and identifying the specific aspects of the task that trigger it, we can develop strategies to conquer it and regain our confidence.
Lack of Clarity:
This is common one for me.
When things seem too big or vague, it’s easy to put them off.
We can break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. By identifying the parts that feel unclear or confusing, we can seek guidance, gather information, and take that first step with more confidence.
A to-do list shouldn’t have a project on it. It should have an actionable item. It’s best to write the item clearly so that you know exactly how to start the items and give yourself less room to feel like procrastinating.
Set Clear Goals: Break down your objectives into smaller, achievable tasks. It helps create a sense of direction and progress.
Emotional Resistance:
Some tasks simply make us feel uncomfortable. Whether it’s writing a difficult email, dealing with financial issues, or facing personal matters, these tasks can stir up all sorts of negative emotions.
Acknowledging the emotional resistance is the first step towards addressing it. We can explore the underlying concerns, find ways to manage those emotions and tackle the task with a fresh perspective.
I react like this when sending that “simple” email when I suspect the receiver won’t like the message I need to send.
boredom:
Let’s face it, some tasks just don’t light a fire under us. They lack excitement or a sense of purpose. And when something feels meaningless, it’s hard to summon the motivation to get it done.
But hold on! By identifying what makes a task uninteresting or devoid of meaning, we can seek alternative approaches, inject some purpose into it, or find creative ways to make it more engaging.
Time Management Techniques: Explore techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (working in short bursts with breaks), time blocking (allocating specific time slots for tasks), or prioritization methods. Find what works best for you and stick to it.
Finally, Be Kind to Yourself: Instead of beating yourself up for procrastinating, practice self-compassion. We’re all human, and we all face challenges. Cut yourself some slack.
