Why We Really Procrastinate and How to Finally Stop
Believe it or not, everyone has their fight with procrastination. Yes! everyone.
Procrastination slows your goals and dreams all the way down. It can create stress and feelings of frustration. It sneaks up on you, stalls, and slows down your progress. Fortunately, it’s possible to learn how to win with procrastination.
We took a deep look into what psychologists and research have proven, and some of these facts might even surprise you.
I’m going to assume you identified at least one of these procrastination whys outlined above.
Now, Here’s 5 Tips to Finally Stop!
Break Down a Large Project into Doable Portions
If you look at this as one large task, you’ll feel overwhelmed immediately, which will likely lead you to avoid the task altogether. Try breaking up the tasks into doable portions, and start by tackling just one at a time. You will gain momentum and confidence as you move along.
2. Aim For “really good” Over Perfect
A 2017 study confirmed that those with perfectionist tendencies were more likely to engage in procrastination. Prioritize completion over perfection and you will see yourself getting to the finish line with tasks. Perfection is ideal, but not realistic. Aim for “really good” and “doing the best you can” over perfect.
3. Always Remember your “WHY” behind your goals
WHY are you doing what you are doing….. with each answer, ask yourself again “why” until the reason resonates with you the deepest. Now, connect your task with your “why”. This will become your driving force in completing tasks. This is the magic that gets you to your end goal. Embrace discomfort as necessary for growth. Next time you sit to scroll aimlessly on social media whilst knowing a task is waiting at hand, remember your “why”. I bet you will be up and going ..
4. Be Kinder to Yourself
In the journal Self and Identity, researchers reported that individuals who had shown themselves less self-compassion procrastinated more. This correlation suggests that self-compassion mediated the trait of procrastination in these individuals. So, go easy on yourself, know that you are human and engage in positive self-talk. Be your biggest cheerleader, even when you fall short.
5. Have a System in Place
Instead of allowing your phone or other distractions to control you, have a system in place. The Pomodoro Technique aims to provide you with maximum focus and creative freshness. Try the Focus To-Do App which combines this technique with to-do list features. In case you haven’t come across it before, Pomodoro is one of the most effective productivity techniques. It’s built around 25-minute work sessions interspersed with 5-minute breaks. The app is available on all major platforms, including smartwatches.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all that can help everyone. We all are different and have different styles and preferences, and reasons why we procrastinate. You have to find a solution that works for you specifically, And hopefully, you found some here today!
