4 Effective Steps to Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination is the thief of time, and an incredibly bad habit.

Sure, procrastinating means you get to do other things that make you feel comfortable, like watching YouTube videos or messaging your friends.

However, putting off your everyday responsibilities until it’s too late is not the way to go.  Delaying the inevitable by squandering your free time can lead to feelings of panic and regret.

But don’t fret! There are ways of warding off spells of procrastination. To get you started, follow these four steps (when you have the time):

Recognise that You’re Procrastinating

Be honest with yourself and start looking for signs that indicate you’re stalling. Going off to make yourself tea before starting your task, or telling yourself that you’ll start working on it in 10 minutes, are just some of the indicators of procrastination.

Remove Distractions

Turning off your cellphone, putting on noise-cancelling headphones or creating a change of environment – such as sitting in a quiet area like the library – are some of the ways to rid yourself of disruptions and maintain focus.

Create Timelines for Deadlines

Create a timeline on which you pinpoint the deadlines for each respective task. It will give you a sense of when you need to be finished with one task and moving onto another. Plus, the sense of urgency will push you along to get everything done in time.

Treat Yourself Afterwards

Motivate yourself to start working by scheduling some time out afterwards in advance. There’s nothing like rewarding yourself with a day out with friends or shopping at your favourite store after completing your tasks. The thought of it alone can speed up your progress.

Don’t think that you’re missing out on having a good time – it’s all waiting for you once the work is finished.