Well, the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one: it’s time to be honest with yourself about your procrastination habits. Maybe you’re even doing it right now. Whether the item on your to-do list is important or not, read on for five ways to stop procrastinating now.

Preemptively organize. To avoid procrastination before it strikes, make sure you’re organized. Get a planner, use post-it notes, whatever you have to do. It can help to get a planner or calendar that shows you a week or two at a time, that way if a big deadline is coming up you are well aware of it in advance. You are more likely to procrastinate if a big task sneaks up on you, so shift the odds in your favor and stay on top of your work load early.

Do your hardest task first. If you are procrastinating a long list of actions, pick the hardest one and tackle it first. Even if it seems intimidating, which could be a procrastination factor, it will pay off in the long run by shutting down any further procrastination. This way you are more likely to get on a roll and be motivated enough to continue through your list. Plus, after you complete the hardest task the rest of the list will seem like a breeze.

Take breaks. But be real with yourself! “Breaks” are not for hours on end. Set a timer on your phone if you have to, and make sure you limit your breaks to less than 20 minutes. Even if you don’t end up taking a full break, it might ease your mind to know that you have the option, and the ease could be enticing enough to get started.

Block your social networks. They’re tempting, they’re counter productive, and many times they’re just too tempting. There are always options to temporarily deactivate, but if you have more self control than that you can always just temporarily delete the links from your bookmarks.

Leave your room. If you’re attempting to do work in bed, or in your room, you might need a change of scene. New scenery, and not to mention more productive scenery like a library, might be the little bit of motivation you need to keep going.

What do you think?

What are your favorite ways to subvert procrastination? What works best for you? Have you tried anything on this list? Let us know in the comments section below!

1 Comment

  1. avatar Nikki says:

    I need to work on this big time thanks for the tips. :)

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