Time and tide wait for no one: why procrastination is your enemy
Time waits for no one, and neither should you if you have important things to do. Procrastination can cost you in many ways, whether it’s by decreasing your productivity or letting opportunities slip through your fingers. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t procrastinate and why it’s worth fighting this bad habit today.
Start with why
We’ve all been there: you have a project due tomorrow, but instead of starting it, you watch just one more episode of your favorite show. Or, you keep putting off going to the gym until tomorrow. Why do we do this? Because we think we have more time than we actually do. But the truth is, time and tide wait for no one. Here’s why procrastination is your enemy and what you can do about it. If you put something off for too long, you're not only hurting yourself (because now you'll have to deal with the stress), but also others who depend on you. You might be putting someone else in an awkward position if they don't know what's going on because they depend on your work or services. You might also be hurting other people if they rely on those services or goods that would've been produced with that work that was put off.
If the next day will feel hectic and stressful because of deadlines looming overhead, then maybe it's worth getting some sleep tonight so that tomorrow goes smoother.
To stop procrastinating, break down tasks into smaller parts so they seem less daunting.
Ask yourself what's the worst that can happen
The answer to this question is usually pretty simple: if you don't do the thing, whatever it is, you'll get a bad grade, you'll miss out on an opportunity, you'll make someone else angry, and so on. In short, not doing what you're supposed to do has consequences. So stop delaying and start getting things done. If you're still having trouble with overcoming your urge to procrastinate, take some time and think about how not doing the task at hand will affect you in the future (and present).
Write down all you have to do
We all have a to-do list that's constantly growing. And every day, we add more things to it without ever taking anything off. It's easy to keep putting things off, but that's not how successful people operate. If you want to achieve your goals, you need to learn to work efficiently and effectively. Here are some tips on how to get started right away. Write down everything you have to do in an organized list, complete with deadlines and any other relevant information. Then prioritize the tasks by order of importance (most important tasks first). Now break down the big project into manageable steps and set reasonable deadlines for each step as well as smaller checkpoints along the way. Finally, create a plan of action that outlines what needs to be done at any given time; then start working.
Create mini-deadlines for each task
When you're starting a new business, there are a million things to do and it's easy to get overwhelmed. One way to combat this is to break each task down into mini-deadlines. That way, you can focus on one thing at a time and not feel so overwhelmed. Plus, you'll be more likely to actually get things done if you have smaller deadlines to meet.
For example, let's say you need to write a business plan. Set a deadline of 10 days from now to complete the first draft of the plan. Once that deadline has passed, set another deadline of two days from now to submit the first draft to an expert in your field (or just someone who knows something about what you're doing). Then set another deadline of four days from now to look over their feedback and make changes before submitting the final version of the plan.
Break down bigger tasks into smaller ones
It can be helpful to break down a big task into smaller ones in order to make it feel more manageable. But if you find yourself putting off even the small tasks, it's time to take a step back and reevaluate your relationship with procrastination. As the saying goes, time and tide wait for none. If you're not getting anything done because of procrastination, then it will only get worse as your deadlines approach. Take some time to figure out what causes you to put things off; try breaking down bigger tasks into smaller ones again; or ask someone else to hold you accountable when they see that you're still postponing important work.
Schedule breaks in between big tasks
You might think that you work better under pressure, but the truth is that most people work better when they take breaks. When you're feeling overwhelmed by a big project, take a five-minute break to clear your head. Once you've had a chance to relax, you'll be able to approach the task with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Breaking up a daunting assignment into smaller chunks also helps. The same goes for physical tasks like cleaning out your closet or unloading the dishwasher. Taking small steps in between larger ones can make it easier to keep going until you finish.
Remove distractions and minimise notifications
It's easy to get sidetracked when you're trying to focus on a task. Whether it's a notification from your phone or a colleague dropping by your desk, anything can break your concentration and lead to procrastination. To avoid this, try to remove distractions and minimise notifications while you're working on something. This way, you can stay focused and get the task at hand done in a timely manner. When an interruption does occur, do what you can to ignore it until you've finished what you were doing. For example, if someone comes over and asks for help with their work, tell them that you will be happy to help them after your current task is complete.
Organise desk space & work environment
Organising your desk space and work environment can have a big impact on how productive you are. A tidy desk means less time wasted looking for things, and a well-organised work environment can help you stay focused on the task at hand. Establishing clear boundaries between work and home life will also help reduce distractions. If possible, shut down social media accounts or put them on do not disturb while working to ensure they don't act as a hindrance to productivity.
Image Source
unsplash.com
