15 Tips to Control Procrastination

Do you end up pushing your work to the extent that you have a pile of work to do at the last minute? Then you probably are a procrastinator.

Procrastination differs from laziness. While laziness is a passive process that suggests inactivity and unwillingness to act, procrastination is an active process that involves delaying tasks that are although important, are perceived as being difficult on unpleasant in nature. Lack of self-control and fear of being unable to accomplish the task as per one’s expectations are major reasons behind procrastinating. While we all procrastinate at some point, excessive procrastination can lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety, and worse, affect the quality of our performance.

Thus, in order to control this behavior, one can follow the below-mentioned tips

1. Make a list of all the tasks that need to be done in a day in order of their priority.

   

2. Create a daily timetable and stick to it. Assign deadlines to each task.
3. Break a big task into smaller more manageable units.
4. Organize your workspace.
5. Force yourself to do tasks that you find unpleasant or difficult. Once you accomplish these, other tasks will seem like a cake-walk to you. This will even motivate you more to work on them.
6. Think of the positive consequences of accomplishing a task and use it as an incentive to work.
7. Use visual cues (such as sticky notes) to serve as a constant reminder of pending tasks.

   

8. Reward yourself for completing your set target.
9. Work at a time and place that best suits you i.e. when your level of concentration and productivity is the highest.
10. Set realistic goals and standards of accomplishment; do not aim for perfection.
11. Rather than focusing on how long it will take to complete a task, focus on starting working on the task.
12. Take breaks at regular intervals.
13. Tell people around you about the tasks aligned ahead of you. Their repeatedly enquiring you about your status on the task will not only serve as a reminder but will also build pressure on you.
14. Identify ways in which you procrastinate and take measures to eradicate these.
15. Indulge in positive self-talk rather than blaming yourself for not having accomplished a task. Blaming oneself may lead to feelings of guilt, and consequently procrastinating the task further or giving it up altogether.

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