8 Helpful Tips and Tricks to Avoid Procrastination

Admit it, you have procrastinated at one point or another in your life. Well, you are not alone. We all have been there. When you put your tasks off every once in a while, you are likely to have stress and anxiety, which is bad for your physical and mental wellbeing.

Procrastination – one of the primary reasons why people are disorganized and can’t seem to achieve their goals in time. What people don’t understand is they need some helpful tips and tricks to beat procrastination.

Let’s be realistic here. Procrastination is more like an addiction, you start delaying something you need to do once and you eventually become a habitual procrastinator. If procrastination has its hook on you deep, it’s time to bid farewell to it for good. So, how should you go about it? In this article, we have pulled together some helpful tips and tricks to stop the procrastination cycle and get back on track.

1 Know why you need to do your task

Before diving into completing a task, you need to have a clear idea of what you are doing and why you need to finish the task. Ask yourself, what are the probable benefits? Imagine what goals you are likely to achieve if you stay committed or how you will manage to have a good impression in front of your employer if you are dedicated to your work. No matter what type of task you need to finish when you focus on ‘why’, you are less likely to put it off.

2 Take regular breaks to boost productivity

Many people procrastinate because they are bored or feel they will be bored while working on a task. When you are bored, you must allow yourself to take short breaks every occasionally. Many studies show that taking short breaks regularly is a surefire way to boost your productivity in no time.

3 Set attainable goals

The primary reason why you tend to procrastinate is that you find the tasks too daunting or challenging. One of the simplest ways to get started with any task is to set simple and achievable goals. It is not a good idea to have a big or vague plan. Make sure you set a goal that is less intimidating and more attainable.

4 Consider creating a schedule/timeline

Once you know your goals, it’s time to create a timeline to get started. Chances are, you find it hard to create a timeline on your own. Well, no need to fret, there are several apps out there to help you create a timeline. Just ensure you have a reliable Windstream internet connection so you can leverage such apps.

5 Break the tasks down into small, manageable chunks

It can be overwhelming to get through a plethora of tasks for the week. Instead of getting intimidated by the thought of your tasks, consider breaking down your tasks into smaller and manageable chunks. Remember, the simpler the better. It is a great way to set temporary deadlines for those chunks and finish the entire task prior to the actual deadline.

6 Reward yourself

Maybe you dread the next hours that you have to dedicate to your pending tasks. Just tell yourself you are going to treat yourself to your favorite meal when the task is over. Even you can reward yourself by watching 20 minutes of TV after completing a pending task. It is one effective way to push yourself through the pain and cut yourself some slack after each task is completed.

7 Try finding your motivational switch

In order to beat procrastination, it is important to find a way to switch on your motivation mode. Some people need to praise their own efforts to feel motivated, and others may feel motivated by achieving their goals. Make sure you are ready to find your motivational switch. Once you succeed in finding it out, you can exploit it.

8 Stay away from distractions

When you are surrounded by distractions, you are likely to lose your focus. Try dedicating a space where you will be doing most of your day-to-day tasks. On top of that, make sure you put your phone aside while working on a specific task. This way, your productivity will be increased in no time.