Here’s How I Defeated Procrastination and Became a Master Deliverer

Procrastination, fueled by thoughts, emotions, environment, health, and lifestyle, detrimentally impacts our lives.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That looming task that just seems impossible to dive into. It was like I was an expert in the science and art of delaying and dilly-dallying until suddenly, the time was up. Then I learned that procrastination was a common hurdle but not a life sentence.

So I know firsthand how debilitating procrastination can be. I used to procrastinate on important things, from big projects to small tasks, that mattered in my life. It was a vicious cycle that was holding me back as I used to neglect essential tasks and waste my precious time and energy on petty ones.

But then I understood the consequences and decided to do something about it. I learned about the root causes and consequences and obtained guidance from others on overcoming them. I tried different strategies and tactics and eventually found what worked for me.

Nowadays, my friends and loved ones think I am a productivity ninja because I no longer procrastinate and get things done on time with pleasure. In addition, I have empathy and compassion, so I help others to solve their procrastination problems as a mentor and inspire them.

Defeating procrastination made a significant impact on my life. For example, it helped me earn more money, get better physical and mental health, and improve my relationships. Therefore I want to pass along this valuable life hack.

In this story, I’ll share my personal experience and dish out some of the strategies and tactics that did wonders for me so you can take on your procrastination battles by customizing them for your needs.

Please understand that procrastination isn’t a stamp of laziness or incompetence. It’s just a pesky habit. We know that habits can be broken. I wrote this short story to guide you through the detangling process and gain insights from my research and experience.

In a previous article, I documented the summary of my research by providing the root causes, mechanisms, impact, and implications, so I will not repeat those details in this post.

So, if you’re done with the endless postponing and are ready to seize the day, keep reading. This tale is tailor-made for you as it can be a good source to get in under ten minutes.

I removed all scientific, theoretical, and technical details not to bore you and leave the juicy part for your enjoyment. If you are interested in details, you might check the summary of my research.

If you try these ten steps and five nuggets at the end for next 90 days with intentionally and persistently, you will see some miracles happening in your life. For example, money will start flowing, your stress will diminish, your mood will uplift, and your relationships will get better. Trust me, as it happened to me and many of my proteges.

1 — Start with a dose of compassion and kindness for yourself.

Procrastination is a common problem, but it is not permanent. The first step to overcoming procrastination is self-compassion and self-love, and being intentionally kind to yourself.

Procrastination doesn’t mean you’re a slacker. It’s a psychological sign that you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. It’s important to distinguish between giving yourself a break and letting procrastination take the wheel.

If you’re feeling wiped out, grieving, or under the weather, it’s fine to pause and recharge. The last thing you need is guilt weighing you down when procrastinating.

So be kind to yourself. Give yourself a break when you need it. And when you’re ready to start working, set goals, start small, and take things one step at a time

2 — Set smart goals.

Goal setting is the hero of productivity. But don’t be a villain to yourself. We can set goals that are as doable as they are motivating. We can avoid frustration and chaos while having a clear finish line to race towards.

For example, instead of setting a goal to write a novel, you may set a goal to write 1000 words per day. This is a much more doable goal. It’s also more motivating because we can see ourselves making daily progress.

After completing every 1000 words, the dopamine spikes will help you complete your book on time. It might also be helpful to break your goals down into even smaller steps, as I cover in the next step.

If you’re feeling really overwhelmed, you could start by setting a goal to write 100 words per hour. Just keep taking small steps, and you’ll eventually beat procrastination and reach your big goals.

3 — Construct and deconstruct bite-sized bits.

Starting is the most challenging part of any task. In a previous story, I explained why starting is a problem and how we can overcome it in three steps.

When I started my work as an information officer in the early 1980s, those mountains of tasks used to scare me. I learned to chop them up into tiny, manageable steps. Suddenly, it was like turning a monstrous meal into bite-sized nibbles.

Procrastination loves to loom large and intimidating. But when we break a task down into smaller steps, it psychologically becomes much less daunting. And when something is less daunting, it’s easier to get started.

So don’t be afraid to break your tasks down into tiny, bite-sized bits. It’s a surefire way to overcome procrastination, finish things on time, and achieve your biger goals.

4 — Choose and use handy tools.

Procrastination loves to sneak up on us when we’re not paying attention. But with the right tools, we can stay on top of our tasks and avoid procrastination.

Productivity tools like calendars, planners, and lists can keep us on track. Let tools in our mobile phones, tablets, or PCs help you sort out your priorities so you’re not just wandering aimlessly through your to-dos.

Many different tools can help you stay organized and productive. Some popular options include calendars, planners, and lists.

Calendars can help you keep track of appointments, deadlines, and important events. Planners can help you organize your thoughts and ideas and set your goals. Lists can help you keep track of tasks that need to be done and prioritize them.

No matter which tools you choose, using them consistently is essential. The more you use them, the more effective they will become at helping you stay on track, avoid procrastination, and complete your tasks on time.

5 — Ditch distractions smartly.

Metaphorically procrastination loves to whisper sweet nothings in our ears, telling us to check our email, scroll through social media, or watch a cat video on YouTube.

But if we can resist these urges and stop distractions, we can progress significantly on our tasks. By ditching distractions, we can create an environment where we can focus and get things done.

Smartphones are not as smart as we think as far as procrastination is concerned. I see them as modern-day sirens tempting us into distracting waters.

Save yourself by tucking your phone away, setting a timer, and diving deep into that task with joy, hope, and expectation to achieve your goal. You’ll be amazed by how much you can get done when you’re not being pulled in many directions.

Identifying your biggest distractions and devising strategies to avoid them is necessary. For example, if you’re easily distracted by social media, you could try deleting the apps from your phone or setting a time limit for yourself each day.

Here is a simple yet powerful tip for ditching distractions at work.

Turn off your phone or put it in airplane mode. Find a quiet place to work where you won’t be interrupted. Set a timer for 25 minutes (famous Pomodora technique) and work on a single task until the timer goes off. Take a 5-minute break, then come back to your task. Repeat this process until your task is complete.

6 — Strengthen the thinking brain and tame the emotional part.

Train your brain and mind. Our brains and minds are the most potent weapons. Strengthen that thinking cap while giving your emotional brain a friendly nudge.

Procrastination is a habit, and like any habit, it can be broken. But it takes time and effort to change our habits. One way to change our habits is to train our brains.

Strenghening the thinking brain and taming the emotional brain can put us in an advantageous position to deal with procrastination sustainably.

Mindfulness practices and meditation can be helpful. Improving attention, focus, intuition, working memory, procedural memory, task switching, and problem-solving is possible.

When I fixed procrastination by rewiring my brain and mind, a big load from my shoulders disappeared. I started seeing life from a new perspective. Everything looked more meaningful in a better mood.

6 —Live mindfully.

Mindfulness was my secret weapon to tame my emotional brain and strengthen my thinking brain. Mindfulness and meditation are like gym sessions for our gray matter, making it ready to tackle procrastination head-on.

Practicing mindfulness and meditation can train our brains to overcome procrastination and start getting things done. We must keep an eye on our thoughts and emotions while working. We can acknowledge them, then let them flutter away like pesky mosquitoes.

Procrastination loves to creep in when we feel negative emotions like anxiety, stress, or boredom. But if we can stay mindful of our thoughts and emotions, we can catch them before they take over and derail our productivity.

By practicing mindfulness, we can become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and learn to let them go without getting caught up in them. This can help us to overcome procrastination and start getting things done

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. We notice our thoughts and emotions when we live mindfully and don’t get caught up in them. We simply observe them and let them go.

Mindfulness and meditation are two powerful ways to train our brains. When we practice mindfulness and meditation, we’re essentially training our brains and minds to focus and to be present.

It’s essential to be patient with yourself when you’re practicing mindfulness. It takes time and practice to become mindful. But the more you practice, the better you’ll become at it.

7 — Strive for the flow state.

Have you ever felt like you’re in a zone where everything flows effortlessly? That’s the magic of the flow state. You can tap into this unique state by immersing yourself fully in your actions. It’s like time warps, and you become the maestro of productivity.

Procrastination loves to strike when we’re feeling bored or unengaged. But if we can find a way to immerse ourselves in our work with acceptance, a growth mindset, passion, joy, and optimism, we can enter a state of flow where we’re so focused and engaged that we lose track of time.

The flow state is a state of heightened concentration and productivity. When we’re in flow, we’re completely absorbed in the task at hand and feel joy and satisfaction leading to creativity and productivity.

We need to be patient with ourselves when we’re trying to unlock the flow state. It takes time and practice to find a task that you’re passionate about and to eliminate distractions. But the more you practice, the easier it will become to enter a flow state.

8 — Reward yourself even for small achievements.

Remember Pavlov and his drooling dogs? We’re not dogs, even though I was apparently one in my past life, but we’re not above rewards either.

When you complete a small task, treat yourself. Whether it’s a piece of chocolate, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, reading a story, or a dance party in your living room, your brain will thank you for the boost.

Irritating procrastination loves to win, but we can give it a run for its money by rewarding ourselves for our accomplishments. When we reward ourselves, we tell our brains that we’ve done something good and should do it again.

Our brains will obey by creating delicious neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin and will start rewiring for creativity and productivity.

The best rewards are those that are meaningful to us. For some people, it might be a piece of chocolate or a new book. For others, it might be a night out with friends or a massage.

The important thing is to choose a reward that you’ll enjoy, motivating you to keep working hard. By rewarding ourselves, we can create a positive reinforcement loop that will help us to overcome procrastination and start getting things done.

10 —As a last resort…

If you’ve tried all the tricks in the book and still feel like you’re trapped in a procrastination web, it’s time to call in the big guns. Professionals can help you navigate the complexities that might be lurking underneath.

Procrastination can be a tough habit to break. Thus, sometimes we need a little professional help. If you’ve tried everything independently and are still struggling, asking for help is okay.

Many professionals can help you overcome procrastination. You may consider psychiatrists, psychologists, life coaches, therapists, sports trainers, and productivity experts.

These professionals can help you identify your procrastination's root causes and symptoms and develop strategies to overcome it.

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Procrastination is a common problem, and there is help available. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

By seeking professional help, you can overcome procrastination and start living a more productive and fulfilling life.

Before you go, let’s wrap up.

In the grand scheme of life, procrastination isn’t an adversary to be vanquished. It’s a puzzle yearning for a solution.

But with these strategies in your toolkit, you’re not just facing procrastination; you’re embracing an opportunity for growth.

As you start this journey to conquer procrastination and reign supreme over your productivity and creative domains, remember that each moment is a chance to rewrite your story.

The key lies in outsmarting procrastination and recognizing that you can transform your approach to tasks and goals. Here are five gold nuggets before I end this story.

1 — Focus on progress with a growth mindset, not perfection.

2 — Embrace discomfort.

3 — Practice self-compassion and self-love.

4 — Set realistic goals and remain optimistic.

5 — Seek timely feedback and support.

If you ever feel stuck, remember you’re not alone, and it is not permanent. Nothing is endless in life. We all struggle with procrastination from time to time, and it is temporary. But with a little effort, following the strategies we discussed, and support from others, we can overcome it and achieve our goals.

Apart from self-talk, one of the best creative and productive tools for me is to use expressive writing for 10 to 15 minutes before starting any task and after completing it. I explained the healing and monetary value of expressive writing in the attached story.

So, embrace the magic of expressive writing, and let your healing journey pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

If you are a freelance writer, you may check out my thoughts on creative non-fiction writing. Do you want to write content to generate steady income? Do you want your stories to be boosted? If you have writer’s block, check this out. If you feel stressed and are facing burnout, here is guidance.

You may find more optimistic and empowering stories like these on EUPHORIA, where I share my insights and life lessons. My focus is on cellular, mitochondrial, metabolic, and mental health + JOY. Here is my collection of Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories.

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