Procrastination is a problem that most people struggle with at some point in their lives, whether it be during high school, college, or in adulthood. There are many ways to avoid procrastination and even more benefits to kicking the habit. Here are just a few ways to keep procrastination at bay.
- Learn what kind of procrastinator you are. Once you can identify the way that you are most likely to delay your work, you can consciously avoid doing those activities. Use this infographic to help you determine the ways that you procrastinate. The key to this is not adopting another way to procrastinate!
- Reward yourself for accomplishing your goals. Having something to look forward to at the end of your hard work will make you want to get started sooner. When I’m reading for class, I tell myself that after I reach a certain page number I’ll let myself watch an episode of my favorite television show or eat something special I’ve saved.
- Set realistic goals for yourself. If you try to push yourself too hard, you may feel overwhelmed before you even start. That being said, don’t pad your to do list with simple tasks just so that you can cross things off.
- Channel your stress, don’t let it overwhelm you. Some stress is good. It acts as a motivator to get you started with your work. Too much stress, though, could definitely harm your productivity, so do your best to keep it in check. Breaking up your work with some light yoga practice or breathing exercises can ensure that you’re using your stress to the best of its ability.
If you need more help with avoiding procrastination, try one of these articles: “Why You Procrastinate, and How to Stop. It. Now.” and “7 Steps to Kicking Procrastination in the Ass”
