This article reveals some tips that can help overcome procrastination and regain control over your life.
Five tips to overcome procrastination
1. Ask yourself: “What does the habit of procrastination tell me?”
Stop considering procrastination a problem that needs to be solved and see it as a compass that guides you to the solution. So, you can address it as follows:
- Stop thinking about the reasons for procrastination.
- Focus on the work you are doing, not what you are supposed to be doing.
If you put off completing tasks that others would deem necessary but are too lazy to tackle seriously and would much rather read a book that truly interests you, then your procrastination is not the true issue you face. Rather, procrastination, in this case, is evidence of an internal problem, and the real problem is the conflict between your ambitions, your latent, ill-defined goals, and your current external reality.
There is a difference between procrastinating doing something you truely want to do and returning to the habitual pattern of automatic behavior in which you browse the Internet for long hours instead of investing your time in developing your knowledge and skill set.
Surfing the Internet is the best example of the difference between conscious willpower and unconcious self-harm. That is, unlimited knowledge and entertainment are at your fingertips at the same time, and here comes the role of conscious will in decision-making.
In short, do not blame yourself for the prevailing belief that your success depends on a job that does not bring you self-satisfaction. Most cases of dissatisfaction in life result from doing something that does not align with our passion and personality, not because of laziness or a lack of motivation. In short, procrastination indicates a problem solved by exploring yourself and your passion to enjoy a life full of enthusiasm and growth.
2. Start with the most difficult task
It is essential to know that the most challenging task is usually of great importance and high priority for most individuals. You will start with such tasks not only because they are the most difficult or the highest in priority but also to feel comfortable when you accomplish them because the remaining tasks will be simple compared to them, not to mention that completing challenging, important, or boring tasks at the beginning will help you maintain your enthusiasm and motivation.
This technique is especially effective when you finish the challenging task first in the morning. In short, you can practice this mind trick to improve your mood, boost your self-confidence, and maintain your motivation for the rest of the day.
3. Allocate a specific period of time for the task
Time framing is a very effective method. It helps you get the required motivation to proceed with the task constructively, positively, and with high productivity. Using this method, you must decide what you want to accomplish and set a timer for 20–30 minutes, for instance.
The time frame aims to focus on the current task as much as possible during the specified period. Focusing fully on the mission you plan to complete is the primary objective of the time framing process. That is, you do not do any other work in the meantime, whether browsing social networking sites or sending text messages. For example, you are only working on the task, and when the time allocated for the task ends, you can stop working without feeling bad.
Limiting the number of working hours improves mood and concentration and stops overthinking unimportant issues. Time framing also allows you to eliminate sources of distractions of all kinds instead of wasting your time and effort and being unable to complete the required tasks. The beauty of time framing is that you will have intense focus and high performance after the end of the specified period, and then you will want to continue working.
When you use this method, you will realize that the real obstacle to your progress is not fear, anxiety, or procrastination. Rather, it is related to overcoming these feelings at the beginning before they increase in intensity and take control.
It is like pushing a rock up a hill. When you reach the top, you will let go of the rock and let things unfold naturally. That is, the real challenge lies in enduring the implementation period, not in the end goal itself, so you have to learn to create the conditions necessary to boost your enthusiasm so that you can take control of your life.
4. Set some time for fun
It is necessary to take breaks during the workday to engage in your favorite pastimes and unwind. This approach makes you more enthusiastic to work because you're anticipating a reward at the end. This approach helps the person become more lively and renew their passion and energy. The reward of enjoying a fun activity later in the day, week, or at any other time induces motivating emotions. The outcomes will be easier to understand, particularly if you have to do demanding jobs.
You can combine this advice with the previous one to get better results. You are more likely to maintain your self-discipline and workflow when you reward yourself for your commitment later, so there is no need to wait for the reward from third parties as long as you can build your own reward system.
This method is very effective, especially for those who regularly adopt this approach in their lives. You can use it, for example, on days when it is challenging to do a specific task, such as going to the gym. In such a case, you can imagine the meal you will prepare after exercise and imagine its taste.
You can even start preparing the meal immediately to increase your enthusiasm and desire to exercise. You will discover when you reach the gym that the most challenging part is already over. The real difficulty lies in starting, and you will feel comfortable and enjoy your time during the exercise.
5. Just start now
It is clear from the above that "starting" is the common denominator of all the tips in the article because the challenging part lies in moving from a rest position to a position of movement and work. Regardless of how critical or massive the steps to implement the goal are, people vary in abilities, and what seems easy for one of them may be very difficult for the other. That is why you should not confuse the goals of others with your own goals.
You won't understand the real issue if you don't take the first step. As a result, you will not be able to overcome procrastination. Applying time framing is a great way to get started because it establishes the conditions required to continue the true work, and you will work longer than you usually do.
When someone has the willpower to turn away from people, places, and activities that go against their desires and convictions, they can advance in life. The ability to replace them with matching people, places, and actions will lead to a massive number of opportunities. The success of the process requires starting to notice and manage the mechanism by which you invest your time and effort.
In conclusion
One of the most critical steps toward making constructive and positive progress is to resist the urge to put things off. In this way, you will get rid of the sources of distraction and destruction that hinder your work. You won't feel forced to work and you'll learn how to set priorities. You'll be able to tell which tasks are essential and which are just a waste of time.
Your ability to manage your time and focus effectively is the real secret behind good life management at all levels—professional, personal, health, fitness, and hobbies. You will remain affiliated with people and institutions that adopt this approach unless you adopt it yourself, become a leader, and control all aspects of your life.
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