Do you have a habit of avoiding work until you have little time remaining before the deadline? If yes, then you know that feeling of guilt while you’re avoiding work and the stress when cramming them.
Procrastination is voluntarily delaying tasks until the last minute or past the deadline. Procrastinators tend to put off tasks even when there are negative consequences. These are usually students with assignments and adults with flexible work timetables.
Note that procrastination is different from being lazy and it’s far more complicated than time management. People tend to procrastinate because they have a hard time managing their feelings. We don’t procrastinate when doing fun things like gaming or traveling. But we do when faced with complex, stressful, and tedious tasks.
All of us have tried procrastinating, and some do it more often. But even when you’ve thought that you’ve mastered the “art of procrastination “, chances are you still feel stressed during the process, which can affect your mental health in the long run.
We’ve listed 4 ways to help you stop procrastinating at work.
1. Practice self-kindness
It’s important to note that not all procrastinators lack energy and general apathy. In fact, most of them procrastinate because they care too much. And they often put off their work because they’re afraid of failure.
Some websites might suggest practicing discipline and strict time management, but pushing yourself to do these can just make you more stressed and afraid to work. So instead of feeling guilty and punishing yourself, try to practice self-kindness.
Develop self-compassion and don’t be too hard on yourself! You can write in your journal why a certain task is stressful and think of ways on how to face it. Be mindful of your feelings and know that it’s normal to make mistakes.
Read more: Kindness in Business: Why It’s Important and How to Practice it
2. Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a large task, break it down into smaller steps that are easier to handle. For example, if you’re writing a research paper, you can break the task into smaller manageable parts like creating an outline, writing the introduction, and so on. This will make the task seem less overwhelming and help you to stay focused.
You can use a project management tool like Trello or Asana so you can plan your work effectively and keep your tasks organized. And don’t forget to take short breaks to recharge and refresh your mind.
3. Eliminate distractions
It’s easier to procrastinate when there are immediate distractions in your workplace. You may be tempted to look at your phone or do household chores which can hinder your progress. So find a quiet workspace and turn off notifications on your phone or computer. You may listen to relaxing music to help relax your mind while working.
Read more: Time Management: Why It Matters and How To Improve It
4. Use positive self-talk
Encourage yourself with positive affirmations and reminders of your goals and why they’re important to you. Remember that you have great potential to succeed, even when your mind says otherwise.
Be confident in your skills and abilities! And reward yourself for completing a task on time because you deserve it.
Conclusion
It can be tempting to procrastinate if we don’t see the purpose of our work. So try to get inspired by connecting your work to a larger goal. But don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Instead, surround yourself with positive, supportive people who can validate your progress and help keep you on track.
