It feels odd that a word with “pro” at the very beginning is actually not a positive. Procrastination is definitely not a word associated with any kind of desired behavior. And if you’re not a PROcrastinator, does that mean you’re an ANTIcrastinator? Something to think about as you read this blog and avoid the next item on your to-do list. 😉
Procrastination is a habit that can be broken with the right mindset and psychological tools. CollegeData.com says the first step is to admit you’re doing it in the first place. Why you’re doing it is a great follow-up. Is the task too large? Too boring? Too easy to put off because you don’t have a critical deadline? Sometimes fear of failing can also trigger a delayed response.
Procrastination Is an Active Choice
Mindtools.com shares that procrastination can often make us feel guilty or ashamed. Sometimes those feelings snowball and we’re stuck in a cycle of growing desperation and plummeting self-worth. Yuck! It’s definitely best to tackle tasks in a timely manner. Their article suggests several ways to stop and overcome procrastinating on a project-by-project basis.
- Break larger endeavors into smaller chunks
- Develop and stick to a schedule
- Change your environment if it’s distracting
- Ask a friend to check your progress
- Motivate yourself with a worthwhile reward
Many of these tips are also great for meeting goals. Below is a snippet from our blog on reaching goals (January 2020). This specific analogy has really stuck with me since that writing (mostly because it’s gross, but also because it’s true). Meeting goals and fighting procrastination have many similarities.
Send Your Stock Soaring
Time Management is also a critical tool to overcoming procrastination. Creating a to-do list, avoiding multi-tasking and establishing a routine are all good practices to embrace when you find yourself pushing a task off multiple times.
The results of getting your work done on time are multi-faceted! You’ll be seen as someone who is:
- Trustworthy
- Responsible
- Goal-oriented
- Productive
Those attributes will help your self-esteem rise!
We all deal with periods of procrastination in our lives. The goal should be to minimize it as much as possible. I’m trying to lead by example. Often, my blog writing gets pushed off until the last week or two of a month. I thought it was most appropriate, with this topic especially, to get it done in the first week of this month! My reward will hopefully be more engagement with it throughout August. If you liked it, please share it on your social channels. Don’t delay – it could help one of your friends go from procrastinator to anticrastinator! 😊
