Fight the Urge to Procrastinate with 4 Quick Tips

Move one step closer towards a more productive lifestyle.

 Are you reading this knowing that you have something that needs done? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Whether the task is work related or personal, we all have something that we should be doing but continue to put it off for another time. In fact, 20% of U.S. men and women are chronic procrastinators.

The temptation to procrastinate may be alive and well, but you might want to reconsider. Psychological Science states that being a chronic procrastinator can lead to unwanted stress and serious health problems, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Colds and flus
• Headaches
• Digestive issues

We may not be doctors, but we still care about your health (and let’s not forget about work ethic). So, how do you overcome the urge to procrastinate? Before going into that final fight, it’s important to understand why we do it in the first place. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest offenders.

• You’re not amused – We don’t always procrastinate because we’re putting off a stressful work assignment. Sometimes things are put off because they’re boring, and we’re not jumping at the opportunity to get them done. Plain and simple.

• Social media overload – The majority of us have an endless source of entertainment that can be found in our pockets, and if you don’t, more power to you. Whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or any of the many addictive apps out there, it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re too busy scrolling through your timeline.

• Overbearing task list – You take a look at your agenda and you’re staring at what seems like an endless list of tasks. This could quickly discourage anyone, and when the workload starts piling up, you could easily find yourself taking one too many breaks due to that overwhelmed feeling.

Whatever the reason, there are ways to overcome these obstacles and move one step closer to a less-stressed, more productive lifestyle.

4 quick tips to help you deal with procrastination.

1. Just do it – People tend to catastrophize. Doing that load of laundry or putting in a few more minutes on that proposal won’t kill you. Seriously. You may find the task to be a little boring or even an inconvenience to your “me time,” but at the end of the day, you’ll pull through it. Instead of viewing your tasks in a negative light, stay optimistic and remember this reality. You’ll survive and feel relieved when it’s done and over with. Not only that, but a little optimism can be good for you.

2. Two-minute rule – Have a long day ahead of you? Pinpoint the tasks that can be accomplished in under two minutes and tackle them first. Slowly but surely you’ll notice your to-do list grow smaller. Do you have tasks that’ll take longer? Break them down into sub-tasks that will take you two minutes or less. Once you start these sub-tasks, you may notice that it’s easier to just continue pushing forward towards the end goal.

3. Turn off the tech – In a world reliant on technology, it’s no surprise that this goes hand-in-hand with procrastination. As hard as it may be, turn your phone on do not disturb, or even airplane mode, to avoid distractions. Still tempted? Make it an effort to retrieve your phone. Put it in a separate room, or better yet, give it to a friend or family member.

4. Plan your day – If you know you have a lot to get done in one day, plan it out. Stay focused by designating specific hours of the day to working, and of course, taking short breaks. Using something as simple as a physical planner or timer, because your phone is obviously in another room, can help you balance work and play.

The temptation to procrastinate will always be there, but with the right mindset, you can overcome the urge. Stay focused, plan breaks and remember you’ll get through it. Crossing off that final task on your to-do list brings a great sense of relief, so what are you waiting for? 

Do you find yourself procrastinating too often? How do you overcome that urge? Let us know in the comments below.

Richie is an avid movie goer with an addiction to Sour Patch Kids. If he isn’t at the movies, he is at the gym or on a hike trying to make up for his bad eating habits.