How to Beat Procrastination 

Would you call yourself a procrastinator?  If so, you’re not alone, and with our to-do-lists growing daily, the percentage of people who procrastinate chronically has increased over the last few decades.  

There’s a difference between procrastinating and prioritizing.  Great entrepreneurs know how to put the most important tasks first. There’s also a difference between procrastinating and being overloaded with tasks; that’s another problem called delegation (or lack of it), and that’s a topic for a later article.     

If you need a little motivation getting things done that you are procrastinating, here are five quick tips.  Even if you aren’t a procrastinator, these tips may boost your productivity. 

1. Start with a master to-do list.

Begin by writing down all your outstanding tasks.  Include the ones you’ve been neglecting, as well as the ones that are current.  This will give you a high-level view of where you are and what all you need to do.

2. Do your least-enjoyable task first.

The more time you spend staring at a task that you dread, the more unpleasant the task becomes.  Instead, resolve to ignore those feelings and do the thing anyway.  After it is done, you will feel a sense of satisfaction in having done it, and will be better motivated to do the next thing.

3. Plan each day in advance.

At the end of the day, take a few minutes to plan the next day, in writing.  You may wish to transfer your plan to a digital calendar, but first of all discipline yourself to write it down on paper or in a notebook.  The very act of writing it down builds determination into your subconscious mind, which will help to ensure that you complete the task .
 

4. Break it down.

Sometimes procrastination is the result of feeling that a project is too big to get done all at once.  If you have a large project looming, break it down into smaller pieces that are more manageable.  In addition to giving you more control over the flow of the project, you will also enjoy the satisfaction of crossing more tasks off your to-do list.

5. Find your power hour.      

Everyone has a time of day where they perform the best.  For early risers, it’s the crack of dawn.  For late night owls, it’s past sunset.  Find the time of day where you have the most energy and motivation, and plan your difficult tasks accordingly. 

Almost everyone procrastinates on their least favorite tasks. Let these tips help you boost your productivity and reduce your procrastination.