What are the best strategies for how to stop procrastinating? We outline 6 tips to break the habit and get you back on track easily.
Unfortunately there is always some reason to put things off. Welcome to the world of procrastination! Here are a few tips that will finally help.
Procrastination? What is this please Well, let’s imagine the following scenario: a long to-do list and a level of motivation that tends to zero. The first thought is: the work can still be done later. Take a very short breath. Quick coffee and then … Right away. Yes, soon. Maybe …
How to stop being lazy
This phenomenon, which almost everyone knows, bears the name: procrastination. Which means something like “defermentitis” (procrastination from Latin pro = for and cras = tomorrow). Many people suffer from it.
The bad thing about it: The constant postponement gives you a permanently bad conscience. Procrastination can really become a problem and a stress factor. Because at the last minute and under great time pressure, the annoying things have to be done. And that costs nerves.
Procrastination makes us cleaning devils
One tries to alleviate the guilty conscience with the most absurd substitute jobs: the student who actually has to write his thesis and suddenly cleans the windows like crazy. Or the employee whose mailbox is overflowing and who is cleaning up her office instead. Well recognized? What helps against the common procrastination that makes life difficult for us every day, we tell you below!
6 tips to stop procrastinating
As is so often the case, insight is the first step towards improvement.
Procrastination Tip 1: Clear out life
Anyone who gets lost in a mountain of work, constantly and continuously, should simply take a break. Take a distance, drive away for a few days and then clearly see from a distance where the problem is. Aren’t there many everyday things that suddenly seem unnecessary and maybe even completely nonsensical? Clear out your life if you feel like you’re constantly facing a mountain of tasks. You should approach the things that are left over in a structured and consistent manner to help you stop procrastinating.
Procrastination Tip 2: Set fixed dates
The sun is shining right now? Your legs are too tired The bed too warm? The cleaning bucket disappeared? Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. Do the urgent tasks here and now. Then you have it out of your head and you are free for nicer things. Give yourself a jerk!
Things that are not too urgent should get a permanent place in the diary. No, we don’t mean “right away” or “tomorrow”, but an appointment like “tomorrow, 3pm”. This way you avoid having to do things at the last minute and constantly walking around with a guilty conscience.
Procrastination Tip 3: Reward yourself
Divide your tedious tasks into small bites to stop procrastinating. A huge mountain of to-dos scares everyone. Create subtasks that can be mastered quickly. After that there is a small reward that inspires you. With the prospect of something beautiful, the voice inside you can better fight. So make the tax return, then nibble chocolate. Scrub the hallway, then arrange the date with your loved one. This is how it should work.
Procrastination Tip 4: Spend time with active friends
Spend your time with people who are active to stop procrastinating. Couch potatos are certainly lovable contemporaries, but they have a permanent paralyzing effect. One or two good friends who can really get you going are golden. Cinema is too exhausting? Jogging in the rain stupid? The bar is in the other part of the city and therefore too far away? Your friends will cough you up. From now on it means: Out into life!
Procrastination Tip 5: Recognize and avoid time wasters on the net
Recognize your online time wasters to stop procrastinating. Remove the bookmarks in your browser that are preventing you from working. Facebook, mail program, Instagram and shopping sites – away with it. Be honest: emails and status reports do not have to be checked every ten minutes. This is not about urgent matters, but about a few social networks and sites that want to tempt us to hit our money on the head.
Therefore: try to surf more purposefully and less. Then you not only have time for the tedious tasks, but also for the beautiful things in life.
Procrastination Tip 6: Search for colleagues
Tell others about your goals. And find fellow combatants. The best friend also has to get a gift for the mother-in-law, to the dentist or with the car for inspection? Then motivate each other. For the weekend you meet for a glass of wine – by then all tasks must be ticked off.
