Procrastination is universal. Everyone does it. Even successful business owners and entrepreneurs do it.
Even you do it.
But don’t feel discouraged if you find yourself procrastinating a lot. The human brain is wired for it. What you need to do is work on overcoming the problem. Find the solution.
And yes, there is a solution. As a matter of fact, there are several things you can try to put a stop to this frustrating yet always tempting unproductive habit. And you may think that putting a task off now is going to help you want to work on it later, but that’s hardly the case. You are just enabling yourself and preserving this foolish cycle.
So what do you need to do to feel more motivated and stop procrastinating? Follow the tips below and you’ll be on your way to beating procrastination.
Think About What You Can Achieve
Doesn’t it feel good when you complete a task? When you’re finally done with something? When you can move on to something else without having to worry about an unfinished project?
Instead of thinking about how long it’ll take to finish your current project, think about what’s waiting for you when you finish it. Turn your negative thoughts into something positive.
Not only will you feel good when you complete the task, you’ll also be able to start a new one, allowing you to be more productive.
If it helps, reward yourself every time a task is finished to motivate you to get things done. Whether it’s pampering yourself, watching an episode of your favorite show, drinking a glass of wine, or simply taking a nap, rewarding yourself for achieving something can really help prevent procrastination.
Finish The Less Desirable Tasks First
Think about it this way – if you finish the tasks you enjoy the most first, then doing the rest of the project is going to feel like a chore. So instead of finishing it, you’ll find ways not to.
Brian Tracy wrote a book Eat That Frog based on Mark Twain's quote “If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And, if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first”.
Try to work on the undesirable tasks first. It’s not fun, but you’re just going to have to power through it. When they’re all done, you can begin working on the tasks you like, and that’s going to put you in a better mood, plus boost your motivation to complete the project.
Be Considerate Of Others
If the project you’re working on is for someone else, try to take their feelings and their situation into consideration. How would they feel if you took too long to finish the project? And would that put them in a bad spot?
Thinking of other people can really help you finish your tasks, especially if you don’t want to inconvenience anyone. Plus, think about how happy it’ll make them when you finish the project in a timely manner. Wouldn’t that make you happy, too?
Believe In Yourself
Sometimes, it’s all about believing in yourself. If you tell yourself that you can do it, then you will. When you have faith in yourself, it gets easier to do even the most laborious tasks.
Would a skilled, competent and able person let other things get in the way of their success?
No.
So don’t let your exhaustion affect your productivity. Don’t let your feelings hinder your success. Don’t let anything convince you into putting off your work for another minute. Set your mind into finishing your project. Start now and don’t stop until it’s done–or at least until you’ve done a considerable amount of work.
Getting out of the procrastination mindset isn’t easy, but if you follow these four simple tips, you’ll be able to stop procrastinating and improve your productivity
