Everyone has heard a variation of the saying, "...if there was only more time in the day." The flip side of that saying is "only if we were more efficient with the time that we had." For a person that has goals and is trying to accomplish those goals, procrastination can increase the elevation that needs to be climbed to reach the goals.
What is Procrastination
Procrastination is the avoidance of doing something that needs to be done. It is something that causes a loss in productivity due to the simple fact of avoiding a productive task and instead performing a task that does not lead to a specified goal.
Why Stop Procrastinating?
If procrastinating stops, then effort is being used for something that needs to be done. With procrastination, time is wasted, goals are delayed, and personal satisfaction is minimized.
Often, procrastination can lead to feeling guilty and inadequate. However, with less procrastination, time is used efficiently to meet goals that, when completed to satisfaction, enhance self worth.
Steps to Stop Procrastinating
There are a lot of things that can stop someone from doing what needs to be done. These different reasons to procrastinate include: poor time management, a difficult time concentrating, a negative mindset about the ability to perform the task, fear of failure, problems in the personal life, and expectations that are unrealistic.
The following are methods to help stop procrastination:
- Begin each week with weekly goals and create tasks to complete these goals.
- Create a list of tasks that only contain projects that can be completed in thirty minutes or less. If there is a project that is expected to take longer than thirty minutes, try to break this project down into smaller tasks.
- Set a timer to start at the beginning of a task and to go off in thirty minutes. At the end of the thirty minutes, take a break. Do what was done when you were procrastinating, but this time it can be called a break for a job well done.
- Work on simple time management techniques to ensure that when work is being done, it is being done efficiently and by the sequence of their importance. For more information, read Tips for Time Management and watch expert videos explaining time management tips.
- Work on getting organized. A lack of motivation is a big reason for procrastination. If the work space is a mess and if items you need to complete a task are difficult to find, then becoming unmotivated can easily happen. For information on getting organized, read How to Stay Organized.
The number one method to stop procrastinating is the one thing that can stop procrastination: Choice. If goals are clearly defined and understood, it is a matter of choosing between working on the goal or wasting time with something else.
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