Strategies

To implement an effective strategy to beat procrastination you first need to educate yourself around your procrastination. This includes:

• knowing your common time wasters
• the excuses that you use to procrastinate
• the reasons that you procrastinate
• Apply effective strategies.

Take some time to observe your own procrastination patterns. Once you have accomplished that, choose a few of the strategies outlined here. Keep working at it until you understand what you need to do to stop putting things off.

• Set Specific Goals : The most effective goals are specific, measurable, and achievable. An example of a good goal is, “I will buy paint on Friday and paint the living room on Saturday.” This is better than saying, “I am going to get the house ready to sell.”
• Set Priorities : Write down all the things that you need to do, and place them in order of importance. The most important tasks belong at the top of your list and the distractions go at the bottom. Start at the top of your list and work your way down.
• Organize Your Work : Set up a system for yourself. Prepare a daily schedule and keep it within view during your working time. List the tasks for each day. Check things off as you complete them.
• Divide and Conquer : Sometimes a project is overwhelming if you think about all of the work that is involved. Do yourself a favor: Break the activity down into smaller steps and set progress goals for each of the steps.
• Make It a Game : Turn the temptation to avoid working into a challenge. Use your imagination. Sometimes changing the frame around a situation makes it more interesting and less of a chore.
• Ward Off Self-Defeating Thoughts : Telling yourself that you are going to do a poor job or even fail can seriously undermine your ability to function. It is important to realize that your negative statements are not facts. Keep your focus on the present moment and the positive steps you can take toward accomplishing your goals.
• Make a Commitment : Make a verbal and written commitment to completing the task or project. Write a contract and sign it. Tell someone about your plans and ask them to follow up with you.
• Remind Yourself : Write notes to yourself and post them in conspicuous places and leave them where you will see them and set alarms on your phone with specific times. The more often you remind yourself of what you plan to accomplish, the more likely it is that you will follow through with action.
• Reward Yourself : Reinforcement is a very effective way to motivate yourself. When you complete even the most minor task, be sure to acknowledge what you have done.