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someone writing in a notebook with text that reads, are you a procrastinator

Are you a procrastinator? Me too…

By
Motivation, Time Management

So my assistant Megan and I get together regularly on the phone to plan out tasks for the next few weeks…on the 25th of February we planned to share Procrastination Week tips with you. What I have done for the past fourteen days is….

PROCRASTINATE.

How much energy do you think we use in the process of procrastinating?

Does it affect national productivity?

So here I am with tips on procrastinating. Irony…

  • Pick one thing. Choose one thing that will move the project forward. It can be a phone call or doing some research. Do that item the first.
  • Take 5. Take five minutes to work on your project. What I have found, is if I sit down to spend five minutes on something, I will get into it and keep going! Tricking ourselves to get going helps you to get things done.
  • Use the Pomodoro Technique, this is a great system. You work for twenty five minutes with a five minute break, you do this four times then you take a 15-30 minute break. I have used it many times and have had great success with it.
  • Be kind to yourself. Stop beating yourself up over your past procrastinations. What is the point? Stop the negativity around your perceived failings.
  • Music is key! I work better with instrumental music. Depending on your taste, you might like something loud; whatever works. It’s motivating.
  • Think fear. Identifying what the reason is for your procrastination can be very helpful. Once you figure out what the reason is, it’s easier to move forward. There is usually a fear behind procrastination. I want everything that I do to be the “best,” that’s my reason.
  • Be brutal. We put so many things on our “To Do” lists that we will never accomplish. Save yourself the trouble and angst. Don’t even put the lower level stuff on your lists.
  • Be accountable. If you partner up with someone and you can hold each other accountable, add items to your list of items that you are procrastinating.
  • Make it a game. Research shows that we respond best to rewards. Find ways to reward yourself even for reaching for small goals.

I urge you to practice overcoming your procrastination, you will be happy that you dd! I am thrilled that I have made it to the end of this post!