Ok, before I start writing I just need to check my Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail…
…but to get in the right mood I also need coffee…
Familiar?
Yeah, we all do this, at least sometimes…
And beating procrastination is simply taking control of your mood. Easy, right? Probably not so easy in real life. But I have prepared 5 simple strategies for beating procrastination like a pro! 🙂 Ready?
Figure out why.
Take a moment to reflect and figure out why you’re procrastinating. It could be something simple, such as you need to take a break or you don’t have to do this task (never). If you need a break, take it, but decide what you will do (e.g. go to 15 min walk). If you don’t have to do this task go to next. Sometimes in our mind, we decide that we have to do something and next day it is not important, or we find out that this task is not important at all.
Get real. Set goals to success. Break up your tasks. Write it down.
Setting realistic goals keeps things positive, which keeps you in the right mood to work. Stay realistic set your daily goals to success and be happy when you reach it. When you look at those rolling, long-untouched items at the bottom of your to-do list, you can’t help but feel a little unmotivated. And you already know how important writing is to goal-setting. So write down your task and break down the task into manageable pieces and knock them off one at one time.
Start with the hardest task of your day.
Whatever it may be the hardest task of your day, get it out of your way the first thing you do. If you need a little bit more motivation, think how you will feel when this task will be done! 🙂
Stop thinking. Start doing. Just take the first step.
That first step is difficult, but once you get going your mood improves dramatically. When you focus your attention on how difficult it is to get started, you discourage yourself from doing so. The best way is just stop thinking and rather start doing.
Give yourself a break. Rewards yourself.
After you done this hard task take a break and reward yourself. 🙂 Great feeling, right? Now you probably have more motivation to do another (small) task.
And… don’t be too hard on yourself!
Now it is your turn! Do you procrastinate? Why? How do you beat procrastination?
Carmen says
Hang on, my favorite TV show is on right now, lol. I need to work on my procrastination too. Hopefully these tips will help! 🙂
Sarah says
Great tips, dear! There are way too many distractions that sidetrack us all of the time, so it’s really important to have a clear focus on what you need to achieve on the day and leave the rest out until you’re done with it. 🙂