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How to Overcome Procrastination and Boost Your Productivity

One of the biggest roadblocks to productivity is procrastination. Procrastination is something that we all have experienced at some point in our lives and affects our productivity significantly. We have all been there when a deadline is approaching and instead of working on it, we decide to take a nap or scroll through social media.

Procrastination is something that makes us feel guilty, stressed, and unproductive, however, procrastination is not a hopeless situation. With the right mindset, understanding, and a little effort, you can overcome procrastination and boost your productivity. For this reason, we will discuss why procrastination is a problem, what are its possible causes, and how to overcome procrastination and boost productivity.

 

Why is Procrastination a Problem?

Procrastination is a problem because it can prevent us from achieving our goals, and reaching our potential, and has serious consequences on our personal and professional lives. When we procrastinate, we usually delay or avoid doing things that are important to us. This can lead to missed deadlines, decreased productivity, and increased stress & anxiety. The more you try to put things off and delay, the more it becomes harder for you to get started.

Procrastination can become a habit that is difficult to overcome because we repeatedly try to avoid a particular task, we get accustomed to this behavior and make it more likely to reinforce this behavior in the future. This leads to a vicious cycle that can make it harder for you to achieve your goals in the future.

 

Common Causes of Procrastination

In order to overcome procrastination, you need to understand the root causes of procrastination. If you find out the root causes, it will be easier for you to work on those things and overcome procrastination. Here are some common causes of procrastination:

Fear of Failure. One of the primary reasons why people procrastinate is because they have a fear of failure. They think that they won’t be able to get the job done perfectly and they are afraid of being judged negatively.

Lack of Motivation. Another very common reason for procrastination is a lack of motivation. Most of the time, the task at hand does not seem very exciting, due to which, it gets difficult to get started with it. When we lack the motivation to perform a task, we often find ourselves getting distracted by the tiniest of things or making lame excuses just to avoid work.

Poor Time Management Skills. Poor time management skills can also contribute to procrastination. People who lack time management skills often find themselves overwhelmed by numerous tasks they have done, which leads to putting things off until the last minute or not being able to complete them.

Perfectionism. Perfectionism is another common cause of procrastination because perfectionists often set impossibly high standards for themselves, such as completing a game of Klondike Solitaire in under 2 minutes, which is almost impossible to achieve. This makes it difficult for them to even get started on a task as they spend too much planning or preparing or obsessing over details.

How to Overcome Procrastination & Boost Your Productivity?

Now that we have discussed some of the common causes of procrastination, let’s discuss some helpful strategies to overcome procrastination and improve your productivity.

Break Down Tasks into Smaller Steps. A highly effective way to overcome procrastination and improve productivity is to break down tasks into small and more manageable steps. With this approach, tasks become less overwhelming and it becomes much easier to get started and finish the job. Breaking down tasks into smaller steps allows you to build momentum and make progress easily.

Prioritize Tasks Based on Importance and Urgency. Another effective way to overcome procrastination is to prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. When you approach tasks with this method, you will focus on the most critical and urgent ones first without wasting time on unimportant ones. A to-do list or a task management app can help you plan a proper schedule for you, which will keep you focused and organized.

Use Positive Self-Talk. Negative thoughts can arise at any time and these are harmful as they can also lead to procrastination and prevent you from giving your best and achieving your targets. To overcome these negative thoughts, use positive self-talk, play Solitaire to relieve stress, and try to reframe negative thoughts in a positive way when you notice them coming up. For instance, if you ever start to self-doubt and think that you are not good enough, remind yourself of all the things that you have achieved.

Eliminate Distractions. Distractions are a major cause of procrastination. When you get distracted, you can lose a lot of time without even noticing or feeling it. Therefore, to overcome procrastination and be productive, it is important to eliminate distractions whilst you’re working. Turn off unnecessary notifications on your phone, close unnecessary tabs on your browser, and create a quiet workspace free from distractions. And don’t forget to avoid social media during work hours.

Reward Yourself. Lastly, don’t forget to reward yourself for completing tasks because it can provide you with strong motivation. When you accomplish a task, whether big or small, take a break and reward yourself for it. This approach will bring positive feelings inside your mind and keep you motivated and productive.

Written by dotdailydose

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