How to Stop Procrastinating: Tips to Get Stuff Done
Away with delay!
It’s 2 PM on a Wednesday and you’re staring at the blank document on your screen, knowing that you should be writing a report but feeling completely uninspired. You’ve been procrastinating all day long, telling yourself that you’ll start working on it “just one more minute.” Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Procrastination is one of the most common problems people face when it comes to getting things done. In this article, I will discuss some simple tips to help you stop procrastinating and finally get stuff done!
Do not put off till tomorrow what can be put off till day-after-tomorrow just as well. — Mark Twain
First, let’s talk about why we procrastinate. For some of us, it may be because we’re perfectionists and don’t want to start something unless we know we can do it perfectly. Others of us may simply be avoiding something because we find it unpleasant or overwhelming. Whatever the reason, the end result is the same: we don’t get anything done!
One way to stop procrastinating is to break down the task into smaller, more manageable pieces. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a project, take a few minutes to sit down and figure out what needs to be done in order to complete it. Once you have a plan, start working on one small part at a time until you’ve finished the entire thing.
Here is a free downloadable SMART Goal Action Plan Worksheet.
Another tip is to set a deadline for yourself, even if it’s not an external one. If you know you need to have the report done by Friday, tell yourself that you will finish it by Wednesday afternoon. This will help motivate you to get started and avoid procrastinating until the last minute.
If you find that you’re still struggling with procrastination, there are some other things you can try. One is to set a timer for a specific amount of time and work on the task until the timer goes off. Once it does, take a short break before setting the timer again and starting back up.
This is also known as the Pomodoro technique. Here is a simple timer you can use.
You may also want to find someone who can hold you accountable for getting the task done- whether that’s a friend, family member, or coworker.
No matter what your reason for procrastinating is, these tips should help you get started and avoid putting things off until the last minute. Just remember to take it one step at a time and be gentle with yourself- everyone struggles with procrastination from time to time!
Do you have any other tips for avoiding procrastination? Share them in the comments!
