Procrastination is a common problem that many of us face. It’s normal to get anxious about new tasks and feel nervous about starting something new. But if you consistently put things off thinking that you will get to them later, you are probably dealing with a more serious case of procrastination!
In this article, we discuss some easy ways to stop procrastinating. But before we get into that, let’s take a look at what procrastination is and some signs that you might be procrastinating too much.
What is procrastination?
Procrastination is an anxiety-producing habit that is hard to break. It may feel easier to put things off until later, but the truth is that putting things off makes them more difficult to do. It is the tendency to put off until a later time tasks that need to be done immediately. The most common forms of procrastination are putting off work, schoolwork, and personal hygiene (such as showering or dressing for work or school), but other types of delaying behaviors can also occur (such as putting off financial responsibility or planning ahead.
Signs that you are procrastinating
There are many signs that someone may be procrastinating, and it can be difficult to determine which ones are specific to the individual. However, some general signs that someone may be procrastinating include:
- Continually putting things off
- Making excuses for not doing something
- Feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand
- Feeling like you don’t have the skills or knowledge to complete it
- Frequent changes in plans
- Underestimating how much work it will take
- Trying to do too many things at once
- Neglecting duties or responsibilities
- Engaging in mindless activities
If you’re noticing any of these behaviors in yourself or someone you know, it may be a good idea to try to start working on procrastination before you decide to seek out counseling or therapy.
How to overcome procrastination
Here are seven ways to help you overcome procrastination and start putting things off once and for all.
1. Become more self-aware
The first step to overcoming procrastination is to become more self-aware. It is important to recognize when you are procrastinating so that you can begin to address the underlying causes. Try to admit that you have a problem. If you are in denial about your procrastinating behavior, then you will have a much harder time overcoming it.
2. Identify what is causing your anxiety
Identify what causes your anxiety so that you can start to address the root cause. Why do you put things off? Is it because you are afraid and anxious about something, or is it just laziness? If you don’t know, then it is hard to change.
There are many psychological and biological reasons why people procrastinate, so it’s important to examine your own habits and motivations to discover why you are procrastinating.
3. Don’t try to do too much in one sitting
It is recommended to avoid trying to do too much in one sitting because it will cause you to procrastinate on the other tasks that are waiting for your attention. Instead, break your tasks into smaller, more achievable pieces so that you aren’t so afraid of starting something new.
4. Change your rituals
Change your rituals so that you don’t keep putting things off. For example, if you have always put off doing your taxes because you are afraid of what you will find out, then try making a plan for how you will go about doing them. Create a to-do list of everything that you need to get done so that you don’t have to spend your whole day dreading the task.
5. Realize that procrastination is a choice
Realize that procrastination is a choice that you make. Yes, it’s true that anxiety can cause you to put things off, but you don’t have to let anxiety control your life. You can choose to overcome your anxiety and get started on the task at hand. If you realize that procrastination is the choice, you will find that you will feel like you are finally in control.
6. Set a small, achievable goal
Set a small, achievable goal for each task that you want to complete. This will help to reduce the anxiety that comes with putting things off because you will have something to achieve (rather than everything in the world).
7. Get comfortable with uncertainty
Get comfortable with uncertainty because it is a part of life. It is important to remember that things are going to take longer than you would like, so you should not try to rush things in order to avoid the feeling of uncertainty.
8. Be patient with yourself
Be patient with yourself because you are going to have good days and bad days (just like everyone else). It is important to remember that you are not a failure if you don’t overcome procrastination straight away, so do not beat yourself up if you don’t overcome it right away. Instead, just keep repeating the steps above and you will eventually overcome procrastination for good. At the end of the day, you are just a person who is trying to make a positive change in your life, so patience is key.
Conclusion
Procrastination is a common negative behavior that even the most successful people struggle with. So no – you are not alone in this! It is important to take note of the signs that you are procrastinating so that you can overcome them and stop putting things off. We recommend that you try these eight ways to stop procrastinating because they have worked for other people, and they might work for you too.
