Pushing Back Against Procrastination
Procrastinating is annoyingly easy. I often put off work and chores and struggle to start new tasks. I get things done eventually, but I end up feeling more stressed and rushed, and sometimes my work isn’t as good as it would’ve been if I’d given myself enough time.Many people struggle with procrastinating, and it can negatively impact their performance at work and their overall mental health. As a chronic procrastinator, here are some of my top tips to help stick to deadlines.
1. Make a schedule.
Every Sunday, I sit down and write out my schedule for the week. It includes everything from when I plan to wake up in the morning to the meetings I have to the tasks that are due during that week. Planning out my week makes me more intentional about making time for everything I need to get done. There are a lot of ways to do this, including using a planner, calendar, or reminders. Having a plan written out ahead of time makes it more likely that you’ll actually do it since you’ve carved out time in your day or week to do it. Then you won’t run into the trouble of starting something too late and feeling rushed to complete it.
2. Turn off your phone.
Sometimes, checking one notification on my phone turns into scrolling on social media and checking all my apps. Checking your phone, especially “doomscrolling” on social media, can be a disruptor at work, especially when you need to get something done. Try to turn off your notifications, or put your phone somewhere else, while you’re working. That way, you’ll be less likely to check it, which will help you to be more focused and productive.
3. Plan breaks in your day.
This is a great way to balance work with your well-being. Breaks are important, and being productive doesn’t mean ignoring your own needs. If you find yourself getting distracted from your work too often, try placing some intentional breaks into your schedule. Even just having a couple 15-minute breaks in your work day can give you some time to decompress, check your phone if you want to, and get away from work. That way, when you get back to work, you can be more focused.
4. Make it fun.
I often procrastinate on tasks if they’re uninteresting, like doing my laundry or cleaning my room. So if you’re pushing off something you need to do, find a way to make the task interesting. For example, when I do my laundry or the dishes, I sing along to my favorite playlist or watch one of my favorite movies. Not only am I getting a task done, but I’m enjoying the process. This can work in a work setting as well – if you have a task at work that isn’t very interesting and doesn’t take a lot of mental energy, listen to some music so you can jam while working.
5. Accept that you won’t be perfect.
I’m a perfectionist, and it frustrates me when I procrastinate my work even when I’m doing my best not to. But procrastination is a habit, and breaking it isn’t a linear process. Accept that when you try any methods of staying organized, you won’t be great at it right away. It’s important to be patient and keep trying, and keep in mind that different techniques work for everyone. But overall, putting in the work to avoid procrastination will help you to be more productive while also feeling less stress over your work.
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