Procrastinator? This Is For You

If you clicked to read this with some level of intrigue, you may have some procrastinating tendencies. But you might find relief in knowing that everyone deals with procrastination–even people who you think are always on top of things.

So this is for everyone. This is for everyone who wants to increase their motivation, do more, and have fewer to-do list items hanging over their head at the end of the day. This is for everyone who doesn’t want procrastination to control their life today or their future. It’s all about not letting procrastination take over your life so that you can actually live your life.

There are really only three things to master when it comes to dealing with procrastination.

1.Mastering the Art of Productivity

Let’s imagine for a second that procrastination is not entirely a bad thing. The people who seem like they’re always on top of things are just more intentional with their procrastination. They understand that their productivity increases by taking intentional breaks, which allow them to unwind and restore both mentally and physically. Find what gets you restored; whether it’s sleep, exercise, stepping outdoors or hanging out with friends. When we don’t take these much needed intentional breaks, they morph into longer unintended, unstructured, and less satisfying breaks known as procrastination.

When breaks are more intentional, so is work. Intentional work is more focused, distractions are intentionally eliminated, and prioritized checklists are more likely to be created. Intentional work also allows you to be able to plan the next day in advance, better manage your time, and be able to utilize the things that boost your focus and productivity while working, such as listening to music or having no sound at all.

When breaks and work are more intentional, it produces results; and results need to be intentionally rewarded. This means making a plan to reward yourself after you’ve completed a major task, thereby providing the motivation to complete another.

2.Mastering the art of just starting

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Mastering the art of productivity through intentional breaks, work, and rewards is a big part of being able to just “intentionally” start doing something. But that’s not all. Mastering the art of just starting might mean reflecting on the deeper mental blocks you may have standing in the way. For example, the need for perfection, fear of failure, anxiety, or extreme tiredness (if you’re not getting enough rest). If any of these sound familiar, addressing that particular root cause will also help you to just start.

3.Mastering the art of goal setting

What’s the bigger picture? What else can you do or have if you were to just do the thing you’re pushing off? At the end of the day, things like taking out the trash and cleaning are more than to-do items. They mean a cleaner surrounding and better comfort. Paying a bill or doing an errand means peace of mind. Completing an assignment or something toward personal growth or career development means a chance for a brighter future. Reflecting on the goals and priorities you have for yourself in your everyday life, in the short term as well as in the long term, helps put things you feel like pushing off into a different perspective.

So the next time procrastination is calling your name, remember that everyone deals with it at some level. The goal is to always be one step ahead so that it doesn’t control your life today and negatively impact your tomorrows.