Time Management Strategies: Stop Procrastination
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines procrastination as, “to be slow or late about doing something that should be done: to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy, etc.”
In life, there are many ways that we can procrastinate. These many possible instances can get us into trouble as we lose opportunities and don’t meet expectations.
Just close to your wedding, and time is ticking. You’re running around hopelessly trying to complete the necessary arrangements for your wedding before your big day while still wondering why you didn’t start the whole process sooner.
Sounds familiar? Procrastination is a pitfall that most of us fall into.
Time management and procrastination are inextricably linked because one influences the other. Procrastination, specifically, wastes all of your time management attempts. Suppose you comprehend this belief’s how and why elements; you can combat procrastination and start using your time more proficiently.
According to LifeHack, “Everybody procrastinates. Students, parents, employees, employers, and every other human can’t help but procrastinate. No matter what you do, it’s close to impossible to get rid of procrastination if you’re not good at time management.”
Frankly, when is time management not a problem for the majority of us?
Plans change, projects arise, and life constantly throws uncertainties at us, which can derail our meticulously planned timetables. We can sometimes foresee these disruptions and distractions. We don’t always succeed.
As a result, an effective time management strategy must be flexible. You’ll have to take it in stride now and then.
Don’t put up a fight. So, it should already be evident that time management and procrastination are inextricably linked and that time management can save you from adding to your procrastination problems.
5 Ways To Stop Procrastinating
Author Ellen Hendriksen wrote the article 5 Ways To Finally Stop Procrastinating for Psychology Today. In it, Hendriksen discusses that procrastination could be caused or increased by individuals’ genetic makeup. However, just like all habits and traits, there are things that everyone can do to decrease their rate of procrastination.
Hendriksen says that the five ways to stop procrastinating are to: consider the big picture, be okay with being overwhelmed, understand that your performance doesn’t equal self worth, understand yourself, and prepare.
Big Picture
One great way to stop procrastinating is to look at the big picture. It might seem easy to continue putting off applying for that job, but if you don’t, someone else could get the position. You also won’t be working forward yet which means less money and opportunities. Looking at the larger picture and how your choice to procrastinate will affect things could help you move forward.
Overwhelmed
It can be easy to procrastinate when you feel overwhelmed by a task. This mostly happens when we aren’t completely comfortable in the situation or are not sure what the outcome will be. In circumstances like this, you have to be okay with being overwhelmed.
There is no way to stop that feeling but it might be helpful for you to add your own chaotic element to the situation such as doing a silly dance before your task.
Performance vs Self Worth
A lot of people procrastinate because they believe that their performance equals their self worth. These individuals often consider themselves perfectionists. They think that if they fail their homework, they are not a worthy person of accepted affection or love.
This is completely inaccurate. Things go wrong and mess up at the time. How well you do doesn’t determine who you are. Failing a test doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to live.
Understand You
Some people like to wait until the last second to do things, staying up late all night working on them. If you are that type of person and you enjoy the adrenaline rush of having a hard and oncoming deadline, then that procrastination might be a great benefit to you.
If this description does not fit you, then try to get your stuff done before that moment. Understand yourself and what works best for you.
Prepare
If you know that you won’t work on your paper until later because there are fun things to do now, then prepare and build in enough time for you to do it later. Prepare to help yourself when you decide to stop procrastinating. If you already know what you will do, then plan on it to help yourself out.
More Ways To Stop Procrastination
Create And Try To Stick To A Schedule
Everybody has a routine that they stick to. Several individuals have a general understanding of their duties in their minds, while some have them written down someplace. Make beneficial to-do lists if you want to boost your time management as well as cease procrastinating.
A comprehensive schedule is required if you are a procrastinator. Consider this: if you have a plan per minute, you won’t have time to consider postponing anything. Every task will be measured and scheduled.
Set Self-Imposed Deadlines
Self-imposed deadlines set some boundaries and parameters for how much work and resources you put into each activity. And, in many ways, they’re more beneficial because they’re your deadlines and take into account elements of your character and job style that formal deadlines wouldn’t.
You can make flexible or fixed deadlines, deadlines that account for disruptions or distractions, and aggressive deadlines—it all varies based on your work pattern and lifestyle.
Unlike formal deadlines, someone other than you, such as your boss, you are the best person to set mini deadlines since you understand how much work and resources it takes you to accomplish your activities.
Make Use Of The Pomodoro Method
It isn’t that straightforward to manage time management and procrastination on your own when you’re having trouble. You could perhaps use assistive apps to help you achieve your objectives more quickly.
According to Forbes, “The Pomodoro Technique is all about time management and maintaining focus. It is a concept in which a person forces their attention on the task at hand for 25 minutes straight. You can then treat yourself to a 5-minute break or continue working for another 25 minutes. After 2 hours, you get a longer break.”
Reward Yourself
As you go about your tasks, you may find your mind wandering to all the things you’d rather be doing. You will focus much better on your work if you know you have set aside time for reward activities.
You could tell yourself, “I will work extremely hard today to achieve my goals because tomorrow is Sunday and I have arranged a time to go hunting.” Realizing that you have completed your duties will also allow you to unwind and relish your free time.
The suggestions above will assist you in finding a way to avoid stalling your work and wasting valuable time. Begin putting this advice into practice so that you, too, can make the most of your life!
Conclusion
Overall, some people have a much harder time with procrastination than others. No matter your circumstances, you can work with yourself to be better prepared and slowly eliminate procrastination. Most likely not all of these solutions will work for you.
But by trying them out, you can discover what works best for you and act on them. Once you are able to better manage or eliminate your procrastination, you will have a lot easier time getting things done and managing your time.
