How to Overcome Laziness and Procrastination?
Most of us associate procrastination with poor time management, but it is not a time management thing. Procrastination is a coping mechanism.
When we become lazy or procrastinate, we circumvent the unpleasant and mind-numbing tasks.
We prefer staying inactive, which is called laziness.
Or we start to do something less important but exciting simultaneously; that is called procrastination.
How to Overcome Laziness and Procrastination?
Common Signs of Procrastination and Laziness
Following are some cues that indicate you might be procrastinating.
👉 You spend your time doing low-priority tasks.
👉 You wait for the “right time” or be in the “right mood” to accomplish a task.
👉 You delay a task for an extended time, even if necessary.
👉 You check emails frequently but cannot decide what to do with them.
👉 You start an essential job but leave it in between and go off for an unnecessary reason.
👉 You spend time tackling the unimportant functions of other people instead of focusing on crucial tasks that you already have on your list.
Coping with Laziness and Procrastination
It is imperative to overcome idleness and procrastination before we lose things and become unable to achieve our goals. Here are some tips that might help:
1. Set Deadlines
To avoid laziness and procrastination, start setting deadlines for each task. Many students and workers postpone the work by saying that they will do it tomorrow and apparently that ‘tomorrow’ never comes, so it is advisable to set a particular date.
Also, try to accomplish projects in advance at least one to two days before. In this way, you will successfully submit work on time, even if something unexpected occurs.
2. Take a Break
Pause your hectic routine now and then. After working or studying for several hours, take a 15 to 20 minutes break.
Go for a walk, listen to your favorite music or do anything that diverts your mind from office or school work and lets you relax.
Some studies suggest that taking a break after engaging for a few hours can reduce stress, increase focus and assist you in retaining information better than before.
If you do not rest, a time will come when you will be stressed and leave the chores incomplete.
3. Keep Yourself Accountable
Trying to hold yourself responsible for finishing your tasks on time, studying for tests, and achieving good grades is another way to overcome procrastination.
Do not let yourself reach that stage where you find unnecessary reasons not to work or take extra-long breaks.
Hold yourself at the state of equilibrium where neither you should work excessively nor remain inactive for long.
Keep in mind that only you are accountable for the tasks or assignments you complete or do not complete. If you want to stay responsible, ask a family member or friend to check up on your goals, accomplishments, and deadlines.
4. Set Goals
Most people procrastinate when they find things overwhelming. So, to overcome this, you should start on a relatively easy project.
By establishing reachable and straightforward goals instead of setting vague big plans, you will complete the tasks on time and not procrastinate.
For instance, if you have to create a business online, instead of telling yourself, ‘I will create a website, you might rather say, ‘I will buy a domain name by tonight.’
Try to make your goals less dour and more attainable.
5. Make a To-Do List
You must have heard of the to-do list many times. You may consider it redundant, but it works. When you procrastinate at the peak, that is the time to make a to-do list.
If you cannot decide which work to do first, you should make a list to mention all the day’s chores and prioritize takes based on their importance.
For instance, creating an office presentation can be more important than cleaning the drawer, so you will mention this task first.
By setting up a to-do list, you will overcome laziness and procrastination. Do not write big tasks as it is. Divide complex and time-taking chores into smaller ones so that they appear straightforward.
You will feel a sense of actualization and accomplishment when you tick the checkbox whenever a task is done.
6. Eliminate Distractions
There are so many distractions that you should eliminate before starting work. Always prefer to work or study in a calm environment where you cannot hear the voices of people or music from outside.
Also, put your phone on silent; otherwise, notifications will disturb you frequently. The more there will be limited distractions, the more there is a chance of you focusing on your work and avoiding procrastination.
7. Do Not Expect Perfection
One cannot be perfect in everything. We all have windfalls and shortcomings. One of the biggest reasons for inactivity is the thought of not doing anything excellently.
Do not think like that. Start working on the goals you have set for the day or week.
If you keep thinking that you cannot do anything perfectly, you will not move on. This world is so fast; it does not wait for you. So keep running in this race and do not procrastinate.
Adopt Anti-Procrastination Strategies
🌟 Excuse yourself for being a procrastinator in the past. Studies suggest that you get positive energy and motivation to improve and perform better when you forgive yourself for something.
🌟 Reward yourself after you finish a complex project. It will be a great idea to go shopping, grab a coffee from your favorite coffee shop, go on a vacation, or do anything you love.
🌟 Do not delay tasks. Start working on them right after your boss assign you.
🌟 Start your day with the tasks that you find least intriguing and arduous. There is a high possibility of completing these tasks at the start of the day because your energy is high at that time.
Conclusion
Now you do not have to be distressed about your idleness. By following the tips cited above, you can overcome your habit of procrastinating.
It may appear challenging at the start but remember it is not impossible. You have already taken your first step towards overcoming laziness and procrastination by reading about it.
The next step is to implement these pointers in your life. 🚀
