Are you a procrastinator? I know I am so guilty of putting things off till the last-minute a lot! There are just days when I have the “I Don’t Wants” and it is so hard for me to be motivated on those days (mostly Mondays and Fridays). We’ve all been there before (or at least I think most people have been) and know what it’s like to seriously not want to do something. So I figured why not post a blog about how to beat procrastination. Lord knows I need some tips!! So here are some of the tips on how I “try” to beat procrastination.
- Practice Effective Time Management: You can do this by figuring out how long a task will take you to complete. Make sure you give yourself enough time to do whatever it is that you need to do. Rushing to get things done only makes things more chaotic for you and you become more stressed. And who enjoys stress?
- Commit to Assignments: Make lists of things you need to get done and check them off once completed. I know this has been effective for me because if I do not write down things I needed to do each day, I’d never get anything done.I also love using planners to write any important items/dates that I need to remember.
- Change Your Perspective: Try to see the positive in the task that you need to complete. Yes, I know sometimes that’s not always easy to do but if you can accomplish that, the task will not seem as bad. (I need to remember this)
- Be Realistic: Set goals that you know you can meet. At times, I have made lists of things I wanted to accomplish but was setting an impossible timeline to get them completed. Which in return stressed me out!
- Work In A Productive Environment: If you have to get an assignment completed within a certain time frame, working in an environment that you’re comfortable in is key! For me typically, I can not have a lot of noise around me, so I need a quite area.
- Self Talk-Postively: Instead of saying “I will never get this done”,etc tell yourself, you can accomplish what you need to get completed. Negative self talk only brings you down.
- Set Breaks For Youself: Giving yourself timed breaks between what you need to accomplish is so important!! This will allow your brain to rest and be recharged.
- Unschedule: Don’t overload your schedule. Sometimes we pile up so many items on our schedule, that we can easily become exhausted. It’s okay to rest at times!
- Learn To Forgive Youself: We all mistakes and we are not perfect. Sometimes we don’t get everything we want done, like we had planned. It’s not the end of the world (no matter how much we think it is).
- Reward Youself: Nothing feels better than rewarding ourselves when we accomplish something (especially what we thought was impossible).
I hope you found some of these tips to be helpful! Do you have any ways to beat procrastination? If you do leave me a comment on what works best for you!!
I’m a HUGE list maker and I love checking things off as I go along. =)
These are great tips! I’m always looking for new motivation so that I can get better at not procrastinating!
Thank You Emily! I hope these helped motivate you some!
These are some great tips! I am a recovering procrastinator myself? I will definitely try these out!
Love these tips! I was having a really difficult time pulling myself out of a slump yesterday, so to get myself motivated to work I took my dog for a walk and my daughter came along on her scooter. The hardest part was forgiving myself for not starting work sooner, so I love that advice!
Cole thank you! This week has been one of those weeks. I am glad that you were able to become more motivated by walking your dog and spending time with your daughter. That’s always nice to do. Forgiving yourself is hard at times but always needed.
This list is amazing! It’s so true don’t set goals you know you can’t obtain. Think of what you can realistically do in an ideal time period and then make your goal slightly less than that. Also it is so important to schedule relaxation time so you don’t short-circuit your brain. I will be sharing this.
I noticed you don’t have a pinterest. :/
Thank You Dia! I think sometimes we as humans overload our schedules in hopes that we will be able to accomplish everything all at once. I like to try to give myself a little bit of breathing room when possible. I am with you on the relaxation! I wish I had more time to do it. I actually do have a pinterest. It’s sthmp. 🙂
I’m a ditz I meant to type twitter but I’ll make sure I’m following you on pinterest as well 🙂
This list is legit my life. I would be the worst procrastinator if I didn’t have discipline and use almost all of these tips. I just need to find a better reward than allowing myself to eat lunch lol.
Christine that’s awesome! I try not to procrastinate if possible but sometimes I still do. Eating lunch is always nice but I understand were you are coming from. 🙂
I love this! I need to get better about making my lists again. That was such a helpful way to stay focused and get stuff done. Unfortunately there are more times than not that I feel like Jessie in the pic above!
Leslie believe me I am right there with you when it comes to feeling like Jessie in the picture. I feel like there is so much to get done in a day that sometimes not everything can be accomplished. So I try to get what I can get done and if not it can wait another day.
Great tips! I’m definitely guilty of this too. I need to make sure not to overload my schedule, and to be in a more productive environment…when I can.
Thank You Shann! It’s hard at times to not overload your schedule. I also try to be in a more productive environment when it comes to getting work done but that doesn’t always happen.
Great tips! Being in a good environment (aka no distractions) is really important for me to be productive!
Thank You Rachel! I agree with you when it comes to having no distractions to be productive. I get distracted very easily.
Great tips! I definitely procrastinate from time to time and I am trying to get better about it.
xoxo, Jenny
Thank You Jenny! I still procrastinate as well. It happens! 🙂
What a great list! The gif of Zach and Jessie was spot on!! I’m printing this out and setting on my desk, the struggle of procrastination has been real lately. Awesome post. 🙂
Thank You Sarah! I remember watching that episode in Saved by the Bell. I struggle with procrastination as well but I try to improve as much as I can. 🙂
Great list! My favorites are changing my inner self talk and forgiving myself. Those I have the most trouble with doing it. Practical.
Thank You Teri! I forget at times to have positive self talk with myself and allow myself some room to breath for mistakes. I think it’s a never ending battle at times.
I need to work on self-talking positive, having a negative attitude never helps! Thanks for the tips!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
Laura I forget at times to have positive self talk when it comes to myself and certain situations. I agree that having a negative attitude never helps.
Procrastination should really be my middle name! I always overschedule myself because I have no idea how long a task will actually take, lol
Jessica it happens to the best of us! I won’t lie when I say that I am a bit of a procrastinator. I try hard not to be but sometimes its not easy.
These are very helpful tips. Procrastination can be fun sometimes when it involves shopping. But otherwise The dolls need to focus on committed to one task at a time. Always seems like there is 500 things to do.
I’m glad they were helpful Dani. In some cases like you stated it can be fun but most of the time it only leads to stress. Lol.
I love these tips and couldn’t agree more!. I found that I not only needed to work in my office, but I also need to shut the door on my family. Otherwise, my husband comes in with “funny things” he sees browsing the internet LOL.
Thank You Liz! I find that being able to work in a quite place alone is always best for me to accomplish things. If I do not do that then my boyfriend and pets will never let me get anything accomplished.
Love these tips. I have always been a procrastinator at many things but a great time manager in others.
Oh man. I need this list in my life, ESPECIALLY when it comes to assignments. I’ve been procrastinating so much lately when it comes to my course work. Whoopsies. I’ll definitely be taking these tips in to account!
Christie’s Take on Life. x
This are great tips! I am such a procrastinator and need to follow these!
Thank You Kristen! I hope these are helpful. I too procrastinate at times.
Great tips! I really needed this. I’m a huge procrastinator on absolutely everything in my life. It’s horrible haha and then I break down from stress when it all builds up. It’s a work in progress.
As a teacher, I’m seriously thinking about posting this list on my bulletin board-my kids are the worst about procrastinating!
xoox, SS
The Southern Stylista
If you do post it I hope that it is helpful to your students. I know how it is with dealing with procrastination. It happens to the best of us at times. 🙂
I need to practice being realistic! I usually think I will accomplish so much but I just overload myself!
Adriana sometimes I over do things and I am not realistic. I have gotten better with it over time. Taking a step back really helps!
I think not over scheduling is something I need to work on. I ALWAYS overbook myself.
Taylor I used to do that in the past and I quickly learned that it did not work for me. Taking a break at times is a good thing!
I love number two – Commit to an assignment. I often get my coaching clients to commit to completing an assignment. Many people who procrastinate too much have lots of half-finished assignments on the go and never seem to complete anything. I used to do exactly the same.
Wendy there are times where it is hard to commit to an assignment without moving onto other things. I find that it’s better to complete one task before moving on to the next (if possible).
Procrastination is the worst and we are all guilty of it. Lately I’ve really gotten into the habit of making lists and that really helps me to stay focused so I can get things done instead of procrastinating
Valerie I am def guilty of doing it at times. I try not to but there are some days where my motivation is lacking. Making lists helps keep me on track better though.
I noticed that I am most productive when I have a lot of things to do, rather that when my day is not that busy, because I tend to post pone things. I also feel great when I reward myself for being productive.
Christina that is true! When I have a packed day full of stuff I tend to not have time to procrastinate.
I think most of my procrastination happens because of binge watching! Thanks for this! 🙂
Aishwarya I agree! I do a lot of binge watching shows, which delays me on getting things done. 🙂
I’m the QUEEN of procrastination, so this was very helpful and very needed! 😀
Luna I will admit there are days where I let procrastination just build up. I have gotten a little better though. 🙂
So true! Seeing the positive in the task set before us is very helpful!
Thank You Kristin! Trying to be positive when completely a task is always a good thing.
I don’t know why but the second I make a list of what I need to do that week it becomes exponentially easier to complete the tasks. Great tips Mistle! 🙂
Cara I agree! Making to-do lists is much easier to remember everything that you have to do. If I did not write things down, I would forget to do a lot of things.
Fantastic post – Time management is hard for me as a book blogger. If you wait until the last minute, you’re stuck reading a 500-page book in a day, not fun for me or my family!
Thank You Alisha! Time management is something I struggle with at times. Some days I do really well with staying on tasks and others….I am a complete mess.
My first thought when I read the title of this post was, “I’l read that tomorrow…” Just kidding!! 😀 I think we all deal with procrastination and I love the tips you shared. I know that for me taking breaks is a big helper in staying motivated and not feeling overwhelmed!
Justine I agree that we all deal with procrastination. Some deal with it better than others. Taking breaks is def a must to stay motivated.
#4 and #8 are especially tough for me!
Shelia me too!! I really try my best to not procrastinate but that does not always work.
This is a great list! I could definitely learn to not load my To-Do list down and to give myself some grace when I don’t get everything done by my deadline (which is sometimes unreasonable).
Thank You Sarah! I try to keep my to-do list simple but sometimes that does not always work.
I love making to-do lists too! I wouldn’t be productive without them. 🙂 But I am one of those who makes them way, way too long! I need to work on cutting them down a bit. There was a time when I told myself that I’d only put five items on my to-do list, but I’d always be like, “well, this is just a little one, I can add an extra one or two.” I never learn. 🙂
Crystal I have to make to-do lists in order to keep myself on track. I tend to forget things if I do not write them down. I try to keep mine as short as I possibly can. It keeps me from getting overwhelmed.
Thanks for all the great tips! I always make lists of things to do but never give myself enough time to actually do them. Setting time limits on things would be super helpful to me!
You’re welcome Leanna. I make lists as well and sometimes do not get all of it done. Oh well. It happens!
I really needed to read this right now! It seems like I’ve been putting off everything. I just get so overwhelmed, and just do nothing. These are just great tips to get me moving again.
Shann I completely understand! Last week was my first week back to work after vacation and I have just put things off as much as I could. I have been so tired lately.
I’m definitely a procrastinator at times, but one way I fight it is by giving myself rewards! I always say to myself: “if I finish this project, I can get an ice cream cone tonight!” or something like that! Works every time haha!
Chelsie I am as well. There are days when I do absolutely nothing. Whoops. I just need days where I have no responsibilities (even though I really do). Rewarding yourself for getting things done is the best way to beat procrastination.
Really great tips. I feel that procrastination is the thief of time. One needs to overcome this to become really productive and maximize one’s capabilities.
Thank You! Procrastination does take up a lot of time when you need to be productive. I have a love/ hate relationship with it.
Great tips! I’m a list maker and I love the sense of accomplishment that comes with ticking things off. I go through bouts of procrastination and it annoys me because the act of thinking about the task and putting it off uses up way more energy than actually doing it….and yet still I find myself procrastinating, LOL!
Thank You Bree! I tend to make lists a lot as well. If I do not there are times I forget to do things. I also go through times where I am such a huge procrastinator. We all have our moments!
I agree on being realistic. The same thing happened to me, I would make lists but instead they would just stress me out. Now I’m better at it. Thanks for sharing :))
Rosalyn being realistic is so important. I make lists of goals/things I need to do, so it helps me out a lot.
I love how you said be realistic. One thing I’ve noticed is that I should never make super long to-do lists if I know that I won’t accomplish that in a day.
Thank You Chelsea. I sometimes try to take on too much at once and it never ends well. So now I say to myself “what can get done today will get done. The rest will have to wait till tomorrow”.
Great tips! I agree, changing your perspective is important. It can really help in attaining your goals.
Thanks Fatima! Having a different perspective at times can really take you to the next level.
I realize that I am procrastinating when it comes to the tasks that have caused me to overschedule or it is something that isn’t realistic! I have to write out all of my to-do’s and then strategically and realistically time block them on my calendar!
Dana I also have to make to-do lists or write down reminders on what I need to do. If I do not do that, I will more than likely forget or just not do it at all.
These are great!! I’m a terrible procrastinator. I’ll give you an example. I had a lot of freelance stuff to do the other day and I just didn’t want to get started on it and I ended up watching my shoes in the washing machine for a good 10 minutes. It’s bad. But these are great tips!!
Hannah I also procrastinate a lot. I have gotten better over the years though. I have learned that if I always wait till the last minute, I get more stressed. Good luck with your freelance stuff!