Many of us tend to postpone tasks, often finding ourselves rushing at the last minute and feeling overwhelmed. Some experts suggest that we use procrastination as a stress reliever, meaning that when we feel anxious, we tend to avoid tasks that we need to complete.
However, since we understand the negative consequences of delaying tasks, it is possible to prevent procrastination.
Recognizing that procrastination is a habit can be empowering because habits can be changed. By implementing these practical strategies, you can reclaim your time, achieve greater peace and make noticeable progress on your tasks.
1. Know the cost of procrastination
Understand the consequences of putting off necessary tasks. Delaying can lead to being late for work, avoiding important appointments like a dentist visit or missing a crucial meeting that could benefit your career.
2. Start small to build inspiration
Large tasks can feel overwhelming until you break them into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of thinking, “I have to declutter the whole kitchen,” start with just one shelf. If you're writing a 500-page novel, focus on writing a few paragraphs each day. Tackling just a small part makes the entire project feel achievable.
3. Don’t keep it in your head
Mental clutter can keep you just as stuck as physical clutter. Writing things down helps you gain a clear picture of what you need to do. Use a notebook, planner or digital app—whatever works for you. Jot down everything on your mind, then organize and prioritize the items.
4. Schedule difficult tasks first
It’s tempting to postpone difficult tasks, but addressing them early in the day can give you a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s paying bills, making a phone call, or writing a proposal, schedule it and stick to it. Self-imposed mini deadlines can also be effective.
5. Build in breaks and rewards
Work in focused sessions for 30 minutes, then take a short 10-minute break. After longer tasks, reward yourself with something enjoyable: a walk in nature, a hot drink, a chat with a friend or time reading your favourite magazine. Rewards make hard work more satisfying and manageable.
6. Be realistic about time
There are only 24 hours in a day, and a significant portion of that should be spent on sleeping, eating and enjoying life. Don’t overload your schedule. Instead, select a few high-priority tasks each day. It's okay to move slowly, as long as you continue to make progress.
7. Don’t strive for perfection
Perfectionism can be paralyzing. Instead of aiming to complete everything perfectly, set a goal to finish the task. You can always go back to improve it later. The important thing is to start, even if you're feeling uncertain. Taking action is the best way to build confidence.
Procrastination doesn’t have to control your life. Pick one of these strategies and give it a try. Start with something small. That first step can shift everything and help you move from feeling stuck to being unstoppable.
The way to stop procrastination is to increase your motivation.
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected].
Last year, Meta censored Canadian news from its feeds, so we built our own social platform: syrupsocial.com – a newsfeed powered by Canadian journalists. Join the Peak on Syrup for the latest news from the Sunshine Coast and beyond, and add the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
