How to Stop Procrastinating
Procrastination is a common problem that can hinder our productivity and prevent us from reaching our goals. It’s easy to fall into the trap of putting things off until later, convincing ourselves that we’ll have more motivation or energy at some undefined time. Shalom Lamm suggests tackling it by implementing simple strategies into our daily routine. By making small changes and developing new habits, we can stop procrastinating and become more productive.
How to Stop Procrastinating
1. Set small goals.
Instead of overwhelming ourselves with big, long-term goals, it’s better to set small goals that can be achieved in the short term. It will motivate us to achieve more and will improve our self-esteem.
2. Schedule time to work on tasks.
When we put off tasks until we “feel like doing them,” they take much longer than originally planned. Instead, schedule regular times to work on specific projects. Take advantage of morning energy and early-evening focus to do difficult tasks. Doing so will make the work more manageable and easier to accomplish.
3. Work in short bursts.
Working for too long on any task can cause us to lose focus and become exhausted, leading to procrastination. Instead, take frequent breaks and divide large tasks into smaller ones.
4. Reward yourself.
Although breaking up work into smaller goals should be sufficient as a motivator, some people find it helpful to reward themselves when reaching certain milestones. Set small rewards for accomplishing simple tasks and larger rewards for achieving more difficult goals.
5. Keep track of progress.
Instead of focusing on the whole project or task, take frequent breaks to reflect on what has been accomplished since the beginning of the work session. Doing so can help us break larger goals into small, manageable tasks.
6. Set a time limit for each task.
Setting specific time limits for each task will allow us to accomplish more in less time. The goal is not necessarily to finish the work within the given time frame but to spend only that amount of time on it and then move on to another task.
7. Minimize Distractions
Another crucial aspect is finding ways to minimize distractions that hinder productivity. Whether turning off notifications on our phones or creating a designated workspace free from interruptions, find what works best for us in minimizing temptations that lead us astray from our tasks.
8. Maintain a Positive Mindset.
Shalom Lamm emphasizes the significance of maintaining a positive mindset throughout this journey. Being kind to ourselves if we slip up occasionally; nobody is perfect! Instead of dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities, we focus on what lies ahead – the endless possibilities that await when we conquer our tendency to procrastinate.
Balancing our work and personal lives can be difficult at times. Still, if we are committed to developing new habits and eliminating procrastination, we can accomplish more than we ever thought possible. By setting small goals for ourselves, scheduling regular work sessions, working in short bursts, rewarding ourselves when reaching milestones, tracking progress, and minimizing distractions, we learn how to stop procrastinating our responsibilities.