Before we jump into the 5 ways to stop procrastinating, let’s start with abolishing one lie: Your procrastination is not laziness.
Procrastination usually stems from one of two experiences, which can vary from task to task:
01: You don’t feel like you can do the thing you’re procrastinating, so you avoid it out of fear of failure. (Insecurity)
02: What you’re procrastinating feels so small and insignificant, you keep pushing it off for other seemingly more important tasks. (Lack of direction.)
So, how do we overcome it? Here are 5 Ways to Stop Procrastinating:
01. Write Your WHY
When you’re making a to-do list, always write the “why” under or next to it. Write why it’s important or why it’s even on your to-do list in the first place. If you’re procrastinating out of insecurity, it will help you muster the courage to work on it. If you’re procrastinating out of lack of direction, it will give context and significance to the task.
Example:
- Edit resume and submit it to a job posting.
WHY: Because it’s the first step to possibly reaching my dream job.
- Write out the copy for a marketing email.
WHY: Email marketing is really effective and will bring in hundreds of dollars.
02. The 20-Minute Timer
Open a timer (on your phone or just google “timer” in your web browser) and set it for 20 minutes. You can do anything for 20 minutes, boss. The time ticking down will help you stay on track when you reach for your phone. When it goes off, you’ll either set the timer again or you’ll be so engrossed in your work that you just keep going! Starting is always the hardest part.
03. Keep Your Promises to Yourself
We all have that friend who will bail on plans. “Yeah, we should hang out this week!” she calls as you start walking away. But it never happens. Eventually, you stop believing she’ll ever make it to girls’ night. And at some point, you stop engaging with her altogether.
Listen, when we tell ourselves that we are going to do something (work out, address that task, make dinner, stop online shopping, post that package) but then we don’t, we stop believing ourselves. This means we’ll eventually stop making promises to ourselves all together. We’ll stop making goals, plans, and – eventually – dreams.
04. Ditch the time excuse, it’s lame.
Actually, you do have time. You just don’t want to make the time. Have you ever been swamped, but then one day new opportunity or project or social event comes up that gets you so excited? Suddenly, your maxed-out to-do list makes way for this new interesting thing! This is proof that you actually do have time for the things you keep putting off. You’re just not making the time for it. Don’t lie to yourself, friend! If it’s not a priority to you, then take it off your list. If it is, then make time for it.
05. You are the leading lady of your own life. Own your actions.
Stop saying you “can’t” do something (like a victim) when you really mean you “won’t” do something (owning it, like the boss you are). Saying that you don’t want to do something doesn’t make you lazy, it makes you honest.
If you are going to create the life of your dreams, you have to take responsibility for your life. That means stop blaming external factors when you are 100% in control of how you respond to them.
When you start using the word “won’t” you’ll begin to feel more powerful! You’ll feel more energized and guilt-free knowing that you are taking full responsibility for who you are and how you spend your time.
Which of the 5 ways to stop procrastinating resonated most with you?
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