Procrastination is the primary reason you can’t get anything done.
Have you ever wondered why you push things to a later date?
Are you here because you’re constantly angry at yourself for always postponing what you have to do for no justifiable reason?
Then you’re in the right place.
I will be sharing the ultimate tip that has helped several ex-procrastinators say NO to procrastination and get to the action.
Note: This tip won’t work unless you do. So, make sure you don’t just read but also take action.
You are here because you want to make a change.
Let me tell you a quick story:
I used to be a chronic procrastinator. In fact, I am still a work in progress. But I have been able to get a lot of work done because of this doable quick tip.
As you read on, I will share with you how this tip helped me and my clients.
The Tip
If you don’t do it now, you will never do it.
To overcome procrastination, you must have it at the back of your mind that if you don’t do it now, you will never do it.
Thinking “There is still time. I can do it later” is the thought of a chronic procrastinator and this thought will not stop coming.
It will continue till you can no longer do what you have to do.
This thought will also cause you to miss deadlines and become someone you and others cannot trust to complete a task.
Let me tell you a secret!
Whenever you need to do something and you think “There is still time…”
Note that you are being influenced by these reasons:
- Laziness: I can do it now but I am too lazy to start the process it takes to get it done.
Remedy: Try to get yourself from the position you are in to a position that will make want to start working on the task.
Example: If you want to wash clothes but you’re too lazy to do it, the first step is to get up from your bed or your chair. If you’re watching a movie or playing games, stop.
For that moment, stop whatever you’re doing first and allow yourself to do nothing for a few seconds.
Then, try getting the dirty laundry out and separating them into shirts, pants, skirts, etc. Also, get the detergent ready.
I assure you by the time you start these processes, you will get in the mood to wash and the rest is history.
Tip: Make sure you don’t stop till you’re done or try time-blocking. If you quit before you’re done, the adrenaline might die and you will find yourself too tired to keep working.
Time-blocking: It is done by setting a particular time, say 30 minutes, and ensuring you do all you want to do without doing anything else until the time elapses. Read more about Time blocking
- Fear: I am afraid I can’t do it. What if I don’t know what to do first? What if I do it badly? What if… what if…
Remedy: The remedy for fear is action.
Do it afraid!
Just start.
The moment you start, you will realize the fear was all in your head. You will realize it’s something you can do. You will realize it was not a hard task.
And if it turns out as hard as you thought, you will eventually figure it out.
So, start.
- Ignorance: I don’t know how to start. So I will wait till I figure it out.
Remedy: Waiting till you figure it out is a myth. The only remedy to ignorance is knowledge.
So, learn. Read up on how to do what you’re confused about. There are so many resources on the internet that it can even get overwhelming.
Make use of these resources.
- Lack of motivation: I should do this but I don’t feel like doing it now. I will wait till I am ready.
Remedy: A person who waits till they feel like doing anything, will never do anything.
The remedy is to not rely on your feelings. Feelings are fickle and they change willy-nilly.
You might not feel like doing anything now but remember your feelings cannot be trusted.
So tell yourself “I can’t trust my feelings” and start doing what you have to do.
You will realize when you start that you’re happy you’re getting it done.
Other anti-procrastination tips that will help you
- Get apps and tools that will help in managing and planning your time.
- Don’t try to do so much at once. You will be overwhelmed and you might end up doing nothing.
So, let go of all the excess tasks on your to-do list and outline the 3 most important things you need to do.
Get them done one after the other before moving to the next priority list.
- Take life one day at a time. Take things one step at a time.
- Get a productivity planner
- You might be procrastinating because you’re a perfectionist. Here’s how to deal with it.
- Reduce or stop multitasking
- Reward yourself after each task or after completing a priority list. This will help you look forward to doing more.
- Get an accountability partner. Get someone who is invested in your goals and your life.
Someone who will ensure you are carrying out your tasks.
It could be a trusted friend, a family member, a mentor, or a productivity coach.
Ensure this person is disciplined and they are someone you respect and value their opinion.
They will hold you accountable for your goals and ensure you get them done.
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Procrastination is the easiest vice to overcome. And the fastest way to overcome it is by getting things done.
And most times, it starts by getting up, making up your mind, and starting.
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