We already talked a little bit about what causes procrastination in another post. We wanted to explore that further.
Do you have a never-ending to-do list that you just can’t seem to get yourself “to do?” Or maybe you have quickly approaching deadlines that you are leaving to the last minute, despite knowing that it will stress you out later? The act of procrastination is normal and although you may claim that it eventually fires up your productivity, it isn’t always a great way to live.
But what causes procrastination? There are many factors that may influence the likelihood that you will procrastinate rather than complete a task. Sometimes procrastination is a result of disorganization while other times it has a deeper meaning. In this article, we will help you to uncover some of the reasons why you may find yourself procrastinating as well as give you tips on how to stop procrastinating.
If you feel that your procrastination may be a signal that you crave change in your life, get in touch with a certified life coach. As a valued part of your support system, Lisa Jeffs can help you eliminate your need to procrastinate and give you permission to thrive while achieving your potential.
Why Do I Procrastinate
If you feel that your procrastination is a negative trait and are wondering how to eliminate procrastination and laziness it may be a good idea to first understand why you procrastinate. People who procrastinate aren’t often lazy, in fact, they want to get their work done despite the distractions that come their way. Below are three reasons why you might procrastinate. Do any of these traits of procrastination resonate with you?
You Are Anxious About a Task – if you are anxious about a task, it is only natural that you would delay starting. Whether you have to speak at an event and have a fear of public speaking or you feel that the task will take an extensive amount of emotional energy, being anxious about it is normal. There is nothing bad about being anxious and using procrastination to help you can be helpful in the short turn, though it is important to remember that avoiding the task will never make it go away.
You Are Overwhelmed and Desire Control – If you are overwhelmed with work or home life you may procrastinate in order to take back control of your environment. If you have been working all day you may avoid cleaning the kitchen or doing laundry in an attempt to make yourself feel better about your day. Like with navigating anxiety about a task, this is sometimes ok to do, but be mindful of letting small tasks build up that may cause more overwhelm in the future.
You Lack Organization – sometimes procrastination takes place because you simply don’t know where to start. When you don’t have a plan in place it can be easy to get distracted and end up right where you started despite trying to get things done. Having a plan can be very helpful in eliminating procrastination.
How to Not Procrastinate
When you are working on how to overcome procrastination, give yourself grace. Procrastination is normal and there is no rule saying that you must be productive all the time. Try out some of the tips below to break through what is causing your procrastination and start living and thriving at your potential.
Get Support with Tasks That Cause Anxiety – if anxiety about a task is the main culprit behind your procrastination the best thing you can do to overcome it is to reach out for help. A self-sabotage coach can help you identify what is causing you to feel anxious about the tasks and offer strategies to overcome them. In some cases, it may be beneficial to reach out to a qualified counsellor therapist with support when extreme anxiety is causing you to not be able to complete tasks to the point it is affecting your life and career.
Allow Yourself Breaks and Rewards Along the Way – if you procrastinate because you crave having time to yourself and easily become distracted by your wants rather than staying focused on your tasks, consider building in breaks and rewards throughout your day. If you are working on a project consider working for 30-, 60- or 90-minute increments and then give yourself a break to recharge and do something that you enjoy doing. You could also consider rewarding yourself by not allowing yourself to refill your coffee before you have completed a certain number of items on your to-do list.
Write It Down and Prioritize Tasks – another way to overcome procrastination is to simply give yourself direction. Write down what you need to do in order of priority. Consider what must get done and what would be nice to have done and try to work your way through the list. Some people find that putting the task they are least excited about first can be a great way to boost their desire to get through it in order to move on to more enjoyable tasks.
Procrastinating does not mean you are lazy. It is entirely normal, and most people do some sort of procrastination from time to time. Try not to feel bad about procrastination, instead, recognize that you are doing it and try to find a way to work with your distractions rather than feeling like a failure. By implementing our above tips, you should see some improvement in your focus and might even start crushing your to-do list without too much-added effort.
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