10 ways to beat procrastination today

Remember that time you had a deadline for an assignment but you instead spent the entire day scrolling through social media only to end up pulling an all-nighter with zillion cups of coffee? Did you moan out a “yes!”?, well “hey there fellow procrastinator!” Now imagine this, “You were supposed to submit an article on ways to avoid procrastination but you ended up procrastinating even that..sigh...Irony??” (and yep, that’s me!, guilty as charged!!)

But hey! Don't you worry because you are not alone in this..Procrastination is in fact no character flaw but a common human trait we all have in some or other measure that we shouldn’t be afraid to accept. We all have been in situations, be it personal or professional, where no matter how much we tried..we just couldn’t get that thing started. And after endless delaying, slacking, denying and putting it off till tomorrow, we only end up panicking, regretting, burning the night oil or wasting the entire sunday typing away on a laptop. In short basically ending up hating our work and life even more!

Sounds familiar? Well, then let’s buck up and put an end to this Today!!..No, No..not tomorrow, Now and Today! So get ready my friend because here I bring to you the list of top 10 tips to stop procrastination that worked like a miracle for me..thank me later..

1. Set small, achievable goals

We has humans tend to find reasons to avoid anything we think is highly intimidating or something we can’t give our 100% to..The best way to prevent this is to simply divide your task into simpler steps..For instance, instead of finishing that whole chapter in one go, how about I finish this particular topic before breakfast?

2. Bring out those organizational skills

Imagine you procrastinated submitting a particular assignment till monday but you have another client presentation lined up for tuesday that you just can’t avoid! Sounds like your worst nightmare came true? Well, the best way to never find yourself in this situation is to organize! Get yourself a planner, see what tasks you have lined up, sort and get started my boyyy!

3. Create a time table

The next efficient step once you have your planner in place is to schedule your tasks as per their priority..No, No..please don't let it be the time tables we spent 2 days making in school but never ended up following..Instead, make a flexible timeline with enough breaks to ensure you won’t end up throwing it away in dustbin later..

4. Set a self-proclaimed deadline

Personally speaking, this is by far the best and most effective way to avoid procrastination that works like wonders for me. While there might be a work deadline set by your boss for a particular task assigned to you, it is always better to set prior, smaller deadlines for the bulk of your work. Like, how about I complete research today, write tomorrow and add images the day after instead of doing it all on the last day??

5. Time yourself

In continuation to the step discussed above, this step is a guarantee that ensures that you stick to the deadlines you have set for yourself. For instance, set a small deadline of one hour where you have to complete studying those 5 pages or writing those 500 words and set a timer. The ticking clock like a bomb over your head is bound to push you that extra mile..

6. Eliminate distractions

Ahaa...Distractions! My guilty pleasure and my worst enemy ever!!! Be it that whatsapp message or that Instagram post, that movie you just started or that series you are about to start, it can wait! It’s not going anywhere! So, put that phone on airplane mode, get a cup of coffee and focus baby!!

7. Eat the frog first

From the time I came across this phrase, it has stuck with me like leeches and has in fact become one of my favorites of all time. You know that task you are dreading the most which is making you procrastinate to the extent that you don’t even know where to start? Well, think no more and start ASAP! Do it first thing in the morning and get it done with..because the moment it’s done and out of sight..the remaining task will feel like a cheese walk.. It’s worth it..believe me, give it a shot..

8. Take a break

While most of us think being productive and avoiding distractions is working continuously for 10 hours straight, your brain might think otherwise..Thus, it is mandatory to take relevant breaks now and then without being guilty about it..So go ahead, take those 10 minutes or half hour away and check your phone, read, listen to music, walk around or do anything that pleases you..You deserve it!

9. Use incentives

Remember the time your father said he will get you your favourite bike if you scored 80+ in your finals?? Well, that worked, didn’t it? Incentives are a great way to gain that dose of motivation missing and get started. It doesn’t have to be a big one.. From treating yourself to a pizza to getting away for a weekend with friends or party later that night..treat yourself once you get that task done..Only when it’s done ok?!

10. Share your goals and vision

Last but not the least, share your goals, talk to someone you know would hold you accountable for or will keep a check on your progress..This way, you won’t be able to slack off because you know the next time you meet that person, they are gonna ask you how that particular task was leading and you better have a positive answer ready..

Still with me? Well, then what are you waiting for? Here you have your top 10 ways to stop procrastinating and getting that thing done..so now stop lingering here and go be productive! Good luck guys!!

(GIF Source: giphy.com)