We have all procrastinated at one time or another, some of us may procrastinate often and some of us may be better at beating the devil. But we’ve all done it – Productivity Ninja included. We’ve all had good intentions to get that *thing* done that’s giving us that nagging feeling in the back of our minds, but put off doing it until the last minute.
And don’t we all find that once we’ve gotten our heads round the *thing* and actually do it, it’s never as bad as we imagined? It’s usually actually quite easy and straightforward.
Yet, some of us, never learn. Well, no more! Here are some quick tips on beating the bully that is procrastination.
Start small
Is your to-do list overwhelming you? Does everything shout high priority? Take a step back. Pick one thing off your to-do list and write it on a post-it note. Put your to-do list away and don’t look at it until you complete that one task.
Then repeat…
Reward Yourself
Set yourself little rewards for getting things done. If you follow the method above, reward yourself with a 5-minute break outside when you complete each task. Go down to your local coffee shop and grab a slice of cake if you manage to finish a big rock today. Keep yourself motivated throughout the day!
Use the Pomodoro Technique
If you haven’t heard of this technique before, it involves working in short bursts and then taking breaks. Set a timer for 25 mins and work solidly for that time, then take a 5 minute break.
Changing what you are doing often will create a nice flow of concentration and relaxation, you’ll be surprised how much you get done!
Listen to music
Studies have shown that listening to music can help improve productivity and beat procrastination.
Find a playlist that gets you in the zone, Spotify are great for these, and get going!
Be mindful
You may not be able to get everything done, forgive yourself for your procrastination habits and try again tomorrow. Getting too stressed is going to hold you back even further, so do what you can, and give it another go tomorrow.
How do you beat procrastination? What’s the longest you’ve pushed something to the next day? Share your stories with us in the comments below or @thinkproductive
By Jessica Scott
Jessica is Think Productive’s Logistics Manager and when she’s not off trying out new recipes and restaurants for her own blog,
she also puts a voice behind some of our blog content.