So you know that you’re procrastinating. That’s the first step. The next one is overcoming it, right? In this article, I talked about ways on how to fight procrastination and put an end to those “lazy days” once and for all. I have followed these approaches to help me achieve more productive days. And now I’m sharing them with you.
It’s not good enough to understand why people procrastinate. It’s also crucial that you know the techniques that can help you overcome inaction to reach your destination. Below are some proven methods for handling procrastination.
Emotional Connection
Whenever you find yourself delaying a task, ask yourself why you need to do it now? There are always reasons you feel are reasonable enough for you to push a task to another time. For example, you might feel that you still have time due to the deadline. This happens when you can complete a task long ahead of the deadline. So, you might be tempted to play now and work later.
However, this approach isn’t the best because you never can tell what might pop up later. Life is too unpredictable to leave things you need to do now until later. What if you have an urgent family issue to attend to during the time you plan to get the work done? Therefore, even if you feel that you have more than enough time, do the work now so that you can play later. Find a reason you should do it now and use that emotional connection to pull through.
Journaling
Journaling is a fantastic way to measure your progress and make plans for the future. Keeping an update of how far you have gone and what you need to do next can motivate you to keep making progress. If you are committed to updating your journal, you’ll t want to have something to write in it when the time comes to update it. There is a scintillating and invigorating feeling that comes with ticking the tasks you have done at the end of a day, week or month.
Use your journal to experience this feeling on a consistent basis. Looking forward to the next time you will write about your exploits and progress can trigger you to get to work, especially during the days you are not in the mood to do anything. The feeling gets more intense when you share the content of your journal with someone you love and respect. Thinking about the next time you will brag about your accomplishment can be enough motivation to keep you going.
Eat That Frog
A frog is seen by many people as an ugly animal, and many people cannot imagine eating it. Difficult and tedious tasks have this appearance in our imagination. Anytime you think about doing them, you are put off and would rather do something else. One of the ways you can make life easier for yourself is by doing the most challenging task first among a list of activities.
Once you are able to get it out of the way, it becomes easier to “attack” the rest and complete what you need to do. Nonetheless, you need to be wary of complacency after “eating the frog.” You can be so proud of yourself that you might decide to relax. Don’t let that feeling overwhelm you. If the task is energy-draining, you might rest a little bit before you start the rest. However, if you still have enough in the tank to complete the remaining tasks, don’t hesitate. Start with the intention to complete everything.
Change the Triggers Label
In the previous blog, the seven reasons we highlighted that lead to procrastination can be relabeled to help you see a task differently. The seven triggers we mentioned included ambiguity, difficulty, lack of instant gratification, frustration, boring, disorganized, and irrelevant. Change the label of each one as follows to change your perception of a task:
- Ambiguity – Demanding an explanation
- Difficult – Tasking
- Lacking instant gratification – Delayed significant reward
- Frustrating – Requires more training
- Boring – Misunderstood
- Disorganized – Progressing
- Irrelevant – Needing personal meaning
This simple change of perception can go a long way in affecting the way you approach a task you have been avoiding. You need to conquer something in your mind before you can deal with it physically. A little tweak in your thinking can be the difference between inaction and taking deliberate steps to get something done.
Leverage Peak Energy Period
Your energy level affects the kind of task you can do. If a task is physically and mentally demanding, you’ll not perform at your best level when you are tired or have low energy levels. Besides, you need to understand your body to be able to detect the period of the day you are most active. For some people, it’s during the day, while some people are more alert at night.
Once you discover your peak energy period, line up your most demanding tasks for that part of the day as much as possible. That part of the day is the best time to “eat your frogs.” Reserve the less demanding activities for periods when you are not as energetic but can still work. You are not a machine, and you need to realize that. Even machines need maintenance, and their batteries need to be recharged sometimes.
Identify Resistance Level
No matter how hardworking you are, there are times in your life when you have reached your breaking point. This is that point when you cannot take anymore. You are physically and mentally drained at this period, and you just have to take a break. If you don’t rest when you get to that point, you are only inviting trouble for yourself. You’ll not be effective again, no matter how hard you try.
It is not laziness but wisdom to take a break when you get to that point. Sometimes, taking a walk might be all you need to be reinvigorated again to get to work. You’re only being unfair to yourself when you keep working when you are no longer in your element. Sleeping for some minutes might also work a trick in this situation.
Think About the Cost
Sometimes, what will keep you focused and active is when you remember what you stand to lose by being lazy and inactive. Think about how procrastinating can cost you in your interpersonal and professional relationship. How will your partner feel when he or she comes back to find the home in a mess? You don’t want an argument that can affect the mood of your relationship. Do you? Then get up and do something fast!
If your boss finds out that you haven’t completed the task, he or she will not be happy with you. So, why should you risk being queried, embarrassed, or even sacked? Since you don’t want to find yourself in that unpleasant situation, then motivate yourself to get to work immediately.
Fight the Feeling
The most important attribute you need to possess that can help you overcome procrastination is self-control. You cannot always depend on external factors to inspire and motivate you to do the things you need to do. There are times when you must just discipline yourself to do what you need to do. You need to exert control over your body. Your body prefers sleeping and having fun to working even when you will regret it later. So, it is crucial that you learn to stop your body from always having its way.