8 Ways to End Procrastination

Do you find yourself putting important tasks or projects off while spending valuable time on less important ones? You may be procrastinating.

1. Filling your day with low priority tasks from your To Do List.
2. Sitting down to start a high-priority task, and almost immediately going off to get a cup of coffee.
3. Leaving an item on your To Do list for a long time, even though you know it’s important.
4. Saying “yes” to unimportant tasks that others ask you to do rather than tackling your own To Do list.
5. Waiting for the “right mood” or the “right time” to tackle the important task at hand.

8 Procrastination Pitfalls and What To Do About Them

1. No Clear Deadline  – Ask manager for a deadline or impose your own deadline.
2. Inadequate resources (time, money, information, knowledge, skill or  support)  – Determine who has the resources that you need and arrange to get them.
3. Disorganization – Take time to clear your desk. Create space to do the project.
4. Don’t know where to begin – Brainstorm on ways you can begin. Develop a task list and plan the time frame for the project. Start with the first task and get it done. You will pick up momentum from there. Start with the easiest task first.
5. Task feels overwhelming – Break the project down into manageable parts. Get an accountability partner to help you stay on track. Set a timer and do 10 -15 minutes at a time.
6. Perfectionism/Fear of failure – This can lead to paralysis. Break the task down. Get an accountability partner. It is okay if the task is “good enough.”
7. Task is unpleasant – Make it fun. Plan a reward for completing the task.
8. Too busy, can’t do it all myself – Ask for help. Delegate or outsource the task. Bring in a professional to help you do it.

 is there something you tend to procrastinate on? Have you found a particularly good way to deal with procrastination? Post a comment below and let us know!