A Powerful Guide To Overcoming Procrastination
There are so many obstacles and distractions it’s no wonder we spend most of our time procrastinating. But the reality of it is this: we spend twice as much time procrastinating tasks than it would take to simply complete them.
Something I notice quite frequently in my line of work is that people tend to not finish the day feeling accomplished then they end up judging themselves for all the things they did not get accomplished that they wanted to, myself included from time-to-time. The pressure is on to be as productive as possible in order to get where we want to go. Well, I feel that if you truly want to increase your level of productivity (aka. no more procrastination from this day forward!) you have to make a conscious choice to do so. You must want to do it and want to want it. If you just tell yourself, it’s something you need to do … it’s honestly never going to happen!
Not that we’re experts in procrastination, but we’re definitely familiar with its ways and how it can completely derail our days. It’s easy to put off tasks that seem boring, overwhelming, or are for a client that is in the doghouse at the moment.
But what if we just moved past those feelings and got it done?!
Here’s the hard truth: we complain (often…!) that we’re short on time and that there’s never enough hours in the day, yet we’ll take our time checking emails, scrolling through social media, unsubscribing from the endless slew of marketing emails in our inbox (trying to desperately get to inbox zero!) or even doing things around the house JUST so that we don’t have to do certain things. Then, while we might feel productive in some ways, we’re left feeling unsatisfied by the end of the day because those things are still on our to-do list … and now we have even less time to get them done.
Focus on being productive instead of being busy.
With that said, get out your notebook as we’re going to give you some quick tips on maximizing your efficiency …
- DAILY TOP 3 LIST.
Every morning, make a list of the 3 things you need to get done that day that will make you feel productive. These are the things you will do FIRST before even opening your email. - PREPARE COFFEE + BREAKFAST THE NIGHT BEFORE.
It’s as simple as that. We’re more likely to get distracted by other things around the house the more we linger, so get that coffee ready before you head to bed and pop those overnight oats in the fridge — your mornings will thank us! - STOP MULTITASKING.
While this might seem counterintuitive, multitasking is really not productive, and we don’t see it as a positive trait. By focusing solely on one task at a time, you’ll get through things quicker and find you accomplish much more during the day. - STOP TRYING TO BE PERFECT.
Honestly, for these reasons … (1) there’s no such thing; and (2) when you’re trying to be a perfectionist, nothing will ever be good enough which means nothing will ever get done and you will be in “rinse n’ repeat” mode for what feels like an honest to goodness lifetime. - TIME BLOCK.
If you find that you truly thrive on a schedule and routine, schedule blocks of time into your calendar for certain tasks, or certain clients. Then, you’ll always know what to expect and your brain will accept that there’s a timeframe on it so you’re less likely to put it off. Having mini deadlines (regardless of whether they’re actual ones) will help keep you on track. Also don’t forget to add buffers in between in case you don’t complete a task on time and so you don’t take time away from whatever is next on your schedule. - SET TIMERS.
If you’re really struggling with starting or completing a task, set a timer for a reasonable amount of time. We find that these help us on some of our tougher assignments as it’s a nice kick to the behind to get the momentum moving. - GET PLENTY OF EXERCISE.
By going for a walk or exercising first thing in the morning, you’re clearing your head before your workday even begins — allowing for more focus and less procrastination. If you’re able to swing it, a lunch time walk or even an early afternoon mini workout will re-energize you for the afternoon, when you’re more likely to procrastinate. - FORGIVE YOURSELF.
We all procrastinate – so accept that it’s GOING to happen! But you can also prepare for it. When you come across some articles or a TedTalk you want to watch but don’t have time to now, bookmark it to a “Read / Watch Later” folder on your browser to watch later. But make sure you set a timer for that, too, or you’ll end up down a deep rabbit hole very quickly.
Procrastination doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but it also shouldn’t ruin your day.
I am a firm believer in every single time, organization, and productivity tip I share with you. I truly wouldn’t share them if I didn’t do them myself first — and felt that they actually saved time. (And in some cases, money too!) This information isn’t fluff. It’s not a sales tactic. I’m not trying to sell you a way to get you to like me. I share these things because I follow them faithfully and know they really do work. I share them because my true passion is to help anyone and everyone on this similar adventure in any way I can … even if you’re not a paying client. That’s how much I love what I do!
I am also a firm believer that you don’t need to spend a million trillion dollars in order to run a successful business. You should just believe in yourself, embrace your quirks, hone in on your unique talents and strengths, plan ahead with every opportunity you’re given, and give the world something unique. All the while being excited to officially and passionately be living your dream — and adding some cashflow to your wallet! I truly feel that the difference between those who live a full life and those who are always procrastinating or perhaps even barely getting by is the measure of their productivity. Those who work hard and stay productive find they lead a fuller life than those who settle for mediocrity. So, if you have found yourself in this space of struggle … please take advantage of these great pointers and make the necessary changes in your life in order to kick start your productivity 9by kicking procrastination to the curb!) and move forward!
So, by implementing even just a few of these into your day, and learning how to effectively navigate your day, will help ease the frustrations that come with it. If you find that you’re avoiding certain tasks regularly, take a deeper look as to why, as it might be better overall to outsource it and alleviate that stress from your plate altogether.
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