Are You a Procrastinator? Here’s 5 Ways to Kick the Habit to the Curb-For GOOD.

Do you remember this situation?:

It’s the final few hours before a big paper is due. You’ve pushed it off until the very last minute and are feeling a familiar combination of dread and anxiety. You scold yourself for letting this happen..again. You may have even come to accept this “personality trait” that just won’t seem to go away.

Even if this specific situation was quite a while ago for you, you may be one of the many who still see similar aspects of it in terms of your career or personal life today.

What if we told you procrastination really isn’t a “personality trait” at all, but rather, more of a mindset that can be changed?

We know we know, if you could’ve found a way to get a handle on this you would’ve already..right??

Well, we believe we have a few gems in here that will help you kick procrastination to the curb, even if you feel like you’ve tried everything.

So, here’s 5 Tips For Throwing The Habit Of Procrastination Out—For Good:

1. Why does this matter?

We get stuff done when we understand it’s important. Sometimes when we push things off, we aren’t putting in the time to think through why it matters to get it done.

To use the paper situation outlined above, the paper itself may not be very important to you at all. In fact, you may not even like the subject you’re supposed to write about, but if you dig a little deeper and think about what it would mean if you did well on this paper, it can help motivate you to get it done without unnecessary stress.

For example, if you got it done early, you could spend more time with your friends without it hanging over your head, use those hours for sleep before turn-in day, and your brain would be clear to focus on other classes without the paper taking up that space.

We know it’s not always easy to think 3 steps ahead, but giving yourself a minute to envision your future self and how you would feel if you were to get the paper done now instead of later, you might be surprised by the initiative it can give you to be kind to your future self and manage your time well now.

2. What will happen if you don’t do It?

If the first tip doesn’t work, motivating yourself with consequences may be effective as well. Going through scenarios in your head of what will happen if you don’t do something can be an effective motivator. Actually, as humans, we’re more inclined to avoid pain than to seek pleasure.

Try writing down a list of what would happen if you didn’t do this task to help you visualize the consequences.

For the paper example, you could write:

-I will not be able to be fully present with friends or family if I prolong writing this

-I will have to say no to events or alone time to do this later

-I will feel dread and stress if I push this until the last minute

-I’ll end up losing sleep and most likely points by attempting to scramble something together last minute.

-My future self will be disappointed (and stressed!) that I allowed this to happen to them

3. Parkinson’s Law

When we are given a task, our brains will make that task fit a gap.

For example, if your professor said the paper is due in a month, your brain will most likely push it off for at least a few more weeks, and place other tasks that are more “pertinent” in it’s place.

However, you can try playing this little “trick” to make your brain think differently.

Instead of making a note that the paper is due in a month, change your “personal due date” for it to be due in a week.

In reality, once we’re in a “work zone”, the time it takes us to complete a task is usually faster than the amount of time it takes us to get ourselves to sit down, get organized, and do it.

Instead of drawing out the process, try and place priority on a task even if the official due date is far away when you know it will benefit you in the long run.

If you need to trick yourself, create an alarm with your “personal due date” on your phone or write it down on your calendar. Chances are you’ll finish it early and will have some free time to enjoy yourself rather than stressing out about where to fit it into your future busy schedule.

4. Use the “Tomato Timer” technique

This is a technique where you utilize your brain’s ability to focus for shorter periods of time with incentives in between.

This works well if you have a harder time staying focused, as it promises multiple breaks in between working with shorter pockets of focus.

Try setting a timer for 20-30 minutes where you have intense focus, then give yourself a 5-10 minute break (walk around, use the restroom, get a drink of water). Repeat this as many times as you need to complete the task.

5. Reframe it

Sometimes all it takes is a “reframe” to change a narrative in our minds, that in turn, changes the way we behave.

Instead of thinking “I have to do this” or “I’m being forced to do this” try “I get to do this” or “I’m choosing to do this”.

Reframing in this way can help you feel more in control of the task instead of it controlling you, helping you to actually move forward with completing it.

We hope these tips are helpful!

Now go out there and kick procrastination to the curb!

Want more? Check out our latest video where John explains how to beat procrastination..for good!

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