12 Proven Strategies to Overcome Procrastination and Boost Productivity

Procrastination – that tiny yet potent weakness – is a curse that afflicts most of us. It hardly matters whether it’s preparing for an upcoming exam, mandatory paperwork, or any of the numerous other tasks that inundate us in everyday life. Truth be told, you probably already know this magic of procrastination quite well. For instead of facing these challenges, we often prefer to retreat into the comfort zone, where our thoughts convincingly tell us, “You still have plenty of time. Why torture yourself already? Go ahead, browse social media or indulge in watching your favorite series.”

But do we really want to be prisoners of this pattern? Do we want to allow procrastination to blur our path to success and fulfillment? In this common struggle, we all find ourselves, but the key lies in how to confront this habit and regain control over our lives.

Think of that day when we can procrastinate, no longer, when we finally must take action. That day is often loaded with pressure and anxiety. If everything turns out well, relief is only temporary, as we usually feel that we’ve dodged a storm, yet there’s always a lingering sense that we could have done more if we were more organized and disciplined. That’s precisely what we lack – self-discipline and the ability to self-regulate. The absence of these skills often leads to a cycle of procrastination and avoidance, which distances us from our true potential.

We must realize that procrastination is insidious

The negative effects of procrastination can be quite harsh on us. Sometimes, things seem to unravel just when we’re most confident that we have everything under control. For instance, if we let a task or project pile up until the last minute, we can quickly find ourselves in a chaotic whirlwind of stress and a sense of helplessness when we realize we’re in a time crunch.

This isn’t uncommon in academic settings. If we procrastinate on completing assignments or studying for exams until the eleventh hour, we may encounter significant obstacles. For example, the professor we relied on for assistance might be absent, or we might not have enough time to accomplish everything that’s necessary. This can lead to feelings of stress, muscle tension, and sometimes even anger towards ourselves.

Despite things possibly working out in the end, we always feel a bit bad about it because we’ve forced ourselves to accumulate so much unnecessary stress. When we procrastinate, we know we’re taking a risk, yet we continue with this pattern of behavior. As Dr. Piers Steel explained, it’s like cutting our own wings. So why allow our own decisions to weigh us down with guilt and harm our mental health? Our inclination towards instant gratification leads us into the trap of procrastination, but it’s time to realize that some things are worth more than just momentary pleasure.

What effect does procrastination have on our lives?

• Stress: When we procrastinate, tasks can pile up, which can overwhelm us with a sense of overload. Additionally, if things don’t go as planned in the final days before a deadline, we can experience additional stress.
• Decreased productivity: Procrastination leads to interrupted work and consequently, poorer efficiency. Instead of completing the task in a shorter time, it stretches out and becomes less effective.
• Poor quality of work: When we procrastinate, we have less time for thorough task execution, which can lead to superficial or incomplete results.
• Missed opportunities: Procrastination can mean missed opportunities that could have allowed us to progress in our careers, education, or personal life.
• Low self-esteem: Regular procrastination can lead to dissatisfaction with ourselves as the pile of unfinished tasks grows.
• Financial difficulties: If we procrastinate with financial obligations, such as paying bills or managing debts, we can eventually find ourselves in trouble, leading to additional costs and delays.
• Decreased quality of life: Procrastination can cause disorder and disorganization in life, leading to stress, dissatisfaction, and poorer overall well-being.

The most common causes of procrastination

1. Not motivation, when we are not too driven and motivated, we are usually lazy, let alone when dealing with some complex and uninteresting things.
2. Fear of failure is the reason why procrastination is present.
3. Organization, jumping from one task to another, which is not done completely.
4. The silent hope is that these tasks will be blown up, although this is never the case.
5. Doubt in one’s own abilities, premature belief that there will be no success.
6. Resistance to tasks
7. Perceived lack of control
8. Anxiety, stress, and depression
9. Feelings of overload
10. ADHD
11. Lack of energy
12. Self-sabotage
13. Fear of change
14. There is no “big picture”, clear goals
15. We don’t have specific knowledge of how to do the task
16. Poor self-discipline

Well, now we will put an end to this, I will introduce you to tricks and techniques on how to become more disciplined and original.

“My advice is, never do to-morrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!”
― Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

Tips and advice on how to overcome procrastination and become more disciplined

Change to-do list

Here’s a great trick for you: when faced with a boring or challenging task, tackle it first. Why? Well, let’s look at it from this perspective: the sooner you get it done, the sooner you’ll rid yourself of the burden. That means you won’t have to dwell on it, struggle, or waste energy.

And here’s an added bonus: once you finish that tedious task, you’ll be inspired to tackle other tasks. Why? Because you’ll feel pride and motivation. There’s nothing as encouraging as the feeling of accomplishing something you set out to do. It’s like the first step on the path to victory!

As the old saying goes, “Harder first, then easier.” And it’s true!

Support

And what could be better than sharing our goals and challenges with those we care about most? Together, we can form some sort of challenge to help us overcome procrastination and tackle difficult tasks.

Why not make a pact with a friend or family member to embark on changes together? For example, we could decide to overcome the habit of procrastination in the next month by completing challenging and unpleasant tasks ahead of time. Then, we regularly meet and report on our achievements and feelings.

Robin Sharma, author and motivational speaker, emphasized in one of his books how beneficial it is to make a pact with a friend and agree on some penalty if we fail to meet our obligations. This system motivates us to stay committed to our goals and accountable for our actions.

Find a reason

The first step in overcoming procrastination is understanding the reasons why we procrastinate in the first place. To find solutions, we must first explore the root of the problem. We can use the causes we mentioned earlier as a guide. Let’s ask ourselves questions like: Is it simply too much work, and we don’t know where to start? Are our expectations unrealistic? Maybe we simply don’t like this task?

Once we have answers to these questions, we can begin to build new strategies. As the old saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” When we understand the reasons for our procrastination, we are already halfway to the solution.

It’s important to realize that there is no shame in admitting that we struggle with procrastination. As Mark Twain said, “First, acknowledge your weakness, and then you can move forward.” Research shows that consciously acknowledging the problem is the first step in overcoming it. When we are honest with ourselves, we are more willing to seek solutions and face our challenges.

So, be honest with yourself, explore your reasons for procrastination, and find ways to deal with it.

Time calendar

When tackling a challenging and extensive task, it’s crucial to plan out a timeframe effectively. Instead of being intimidated by the size of the challenge, we can help ourselves by setting a time frame dedicated to working on the task every day.

We can use a physical calendar to mark the time we’ll dedicate to this task or simply set reminders on our phones. This way, we set clear and achievable goals for each day, allowing us to steadily progress towards the final solution.

As the famous saying goes, “The beginning is half the battle.” Once we begin systematically working on the task and set a regular time frame for work, the task will seem less daunting, making it easier to accomplish. In the end, we’ll be proud to have overcome the challenge we set for ourselves and realize that we’re capable of more than we ever thought.

Avoid the bubble zone

It’s true, that despite the allure of comfort, we must be aware of the pitfalls it leads us into. Too much comfort can blind us and lead us astray from our goals. Instead of succumbing to temptations that lure us into comfort, we must realize that true progress is often made outside of our comfort zone.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with occasionally indulging in relaxation in front of the television, enjoying video games, or gambling. However, if we indulge too much in comfortable activities, we can quickly become prisoners of our own habits.

As they say, “Success is built on self-discipline, not in the comfort zone.” Self-discipline leads us to perseverance and organization, which can bring long-term benefits that outweigh the short-term satisfaction offered by comfort.

Organization

Certainly, keeping a planner or journal is an excellent way to stay organized and focused on our goals. Writing down goals, tasks for the upcoming week, important dates such as birthdays, and the like, gives us a better overview of our commitments.

When we follow the plan and accomplish the tasks we’ve set for ourselves, we feel lighter and more relaxed. Our minds are no longer filled with worries and pressures because we know we’ve recorded and organized all the important things in one place.

Personally, I also regularly use a planner, and I must say it gives me a sense of calmness and peace of mind. I always know what to expect and how to allocate my time, enabling me to work more efficiently and peacefully.

And remember, a planner isn’t the only option. You can also consider using a wall calendar, a bulletin board, sticky notes, or simply organizers on your phone. The main idea is to find a system that works best for you and consistently use it to better manage your time and commitments.

Take breaks

If you find yourself facing a long and demanding task, it’s wise to set intervals. For example, if you commit to studying, set yourself time breaks, say every 2 hours for 10-15 minutes. It’s crucial to set a reminder on your phone, but it’s better to place it away from you. Personally, I’ve found such self-discipline necessary; if the phone was too close, I quickly found myself browsing the web instead of focusing on the task at hand.

Take time during breaks and make the most of them. It’s a great opportunity for relaxation, stretching, or a short walk. It’s important to recognize how crucial practicing self-discipline is in such moments. This habit is essential for success and overcoming the habit of procrastination.

Forgive yourself

Sooner or later, things will inevitably get complicated. Nothing personal, it happens to everyone. What’s important is that we know how to forgive ourselves. In the process of changing habits, setbacks and slips are entirely normal. Don’t let that stop you. Lift yourself up, move forward, and start again. It’s about gradually reshaping your mind, and every step counts.

Reward

We all know that rewards are excellent motivation and encouragement for achievements. For example, if your boss at work organizes a reward for the best performer in a certain task, surely all employees will do their best to achieve it.

Start to understand that if you tackle tasks that are difficult or uninteresting for you, you will have more time in the long run for things you truly enjoy doing. Additionally, you will no longer feel stressed and pressured, as you will tackle tasks with confidence and efficiency.

Arrange your space

A tidy space is like a refreshment for the soul, giving us a sense of organization and motivating us to work. When we organize our space, decorate it, and furnish it to our liking, we feel more willing and prepared to tackle tasks.

Think of small additions that bring you joy and inspiration. This can include pictures of your loved ones, candles with enticing scents, motivational quotes, or even live plants to liven up the space. Add something fun, like an adult coloring book, a puzzle, or a crossword that makes you smile and relax.

As the old saying goes, “Tidying up space is tidying up the mind.” When we feel comfortable and relaxed in our environment, we are more productive and creative. So, don’t underestimate the power of a tidy and pleasant space, and harness its potential to improve your well-being and productivity.

Sustain motivation

Try to find ways to increase your motivation for completing tasks. This can include using visualization, where you imagine the achievements you want to accomplish, such as visualizing a successfully completed project and the feeling of satisfaction that comes with it. You can also reward yourself with something enjoyable, such as a relaxing walk or a delicious meal, after completing a task. It’s also important to find internal motivators, such as a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, that will encourage you to keep working.

Be patient

Overcoming the habit of procrastination is a process that takes time and perseverance. Be prepared for the possibility of slipping back into old habits at times, but this doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s important to stay committed and persistent in your efforts, as this is how you train your discipline and establish new, better habits. Studies show that establishing a new habit can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days, depending on complexity and the individual. So be patient and persevere. Remember that no change will yield positive results if you don’t truly put in the effort and stick to your goal.