How to do things when you just don’t want to: 7 tips for procrastinators
Table of Contents
Introduction
We all have days when we can't get ourselves to do what needs to be done. Procrastination is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world. With that being said, It's important to know that you're not alone in your struggles with procrastination, and there are ways to overcome it! In this article, I'll share my personal development tips for procrastinators. You'll learn about my personal experiences with this topic and some tips to help you overcome your own challenges.
Clarify your values and priorities.
It's essential to identify your values and priorities so that you can make sure that your goals are in alignment
It's also important to clarify what it means for something to be a priority vs. a goal.
For example, take the statement: "I want my health and fitness level to improve this year." This can easily be modeled into an achievable goal with clear boundaries (e.g., I will set aside time for exercise each day) as well as measurable outcomes (You can regularly check your blood pressure, weight, and other vitals on a regular basis).
But just because you set a shiny new goal, doesn't automatically guarantee it is a priority. There are many things that come to mind that light us up inside. However, when it comes down to it, there are things that we choose to take action on first. If you are ever confused about what your prioritizing take a look at your actions and what you are choosing to do, day in an day out. There are diminishing returns to overloading ourselves with too many commitments so it's essential to clarify whether a goal is something you want versus something you need. For example: "I want to get a raise at work." This is an achievable goal (you can ask for one), but it may not be necessary (e.g., you just got a promotion last quarter, and working towards hitting the metrics for another one may cause you to sacrifice your well-being).
Start small.
We all know the old adage: "First things first." And it's true. The first step to getting anything done is breaking down that task into smaller, achievable portions.
But what if you're a procrastinator? What if you don't know where to start? What if your goals are so big they seem impossible?
We've got your back! Here are three simple ways you can start small and get things done:
1. Make a to-do list and prioritize your tasks: Make a to-do list and prioritize your tasks.
If you don't know where or how to start, make a list of the things that need to get done. Then, assign each task a priority level (e.g., urgent/important). Finally, work your way down the list in order of importance until everything is crossed off!
2. Set a time limit on each task so you don’t get stuck in the weeds:
golden rule: If it takes less than 30 minutes, do it now. If it takes more than half an hour, break it down into smaller tasks and set a timer (this pomodoro timer saves me everytime)
3.Use systems!
Computer scientist David Allen has developed a system called "Getting Things Done" that includes a series of steps:
- Capture tasks
- Clarify what needs to be done
- Organize the tasks
- Review your lists regularly
- Engage in focused work
- Reflect on what went well
- Plan for next time
You can easily apply these frameworks by using a clearly structured planner that helps you set and track priorities like this one!
3. Break down your goals into smaller, more manageable pieces:
We all know the feeling of getting excited and setting astronomical goals for ourselves. But then we get overwhelmed, give up, and do nothing. So instead of setting your sights on the horizon, try focusing on something a little bit closer. If you want to run a marathon, start by running around the block or signing up for a 5K race. You can always work your way up to 26.2 miles! A bit dramatic for our non-athletes out there (myself included) but the principle still applies!
Related post: How to Set Effective Goals: Taking it Past the Vision Board
Remember that bad days happen.
Don't let one bad day ruin your whole week.
If you have a morning that feels "unproductive", remember that you may gain a wind of energy and become more productive in the evening! Don't allow a few hours determine your sense of self!
Remember that you're human and that life moves in ebbs and flows. If you have a bad day, don't beat yourself up for it—you're allowed to feel sad or angry about something in your life and there's nothing wrong with it! But don't let this feeling get out of control by making excuses or blaming other people or situations. It's just one thing among many other things that happened during this week; don't make it the only thing that matters because sometimes life throws us curveballs we can't predict ahead of time (or ever).
Get back on the wagon, revise your systems and give yourself another chance to perform at your ideal level.
Related Post: How to set goals that you can ACTUALLY achieve
Build momentum.
- Start with a small goal, then build on it. Start with something you know you can do and ensure it's achievable in a short time.
- Pick a goal that is relevant and important to you, because this will keep your motivation up throughout the process.
- Use a reward system for when you reach milestones along the way (e.g., if after two weeks of working on your project, it seems like there's still some way to go before finishing), so that reaching them becomes motivating enough to keep going when times get tough!
Learn to work with your energy levels, not against them.
Learn to work with your energy levels. If you're feeling tired, take a break. If you're feeling energetic, go for it! Going back to my earlier point on allowing "bad days to happen", you should also remember that a "bad day" is completely relative! An unproductive evening may lead to you realizing that your brain works best early in the morning before the work day begins! Everything is a lesson leading you back towrds a path of deeper self-discovery.
If you don't know what to do or where to start, ask yourself what would happen if you were full of energy: what would be different about how you work and what you could get done. Keep this in mind as you plan your work days.
Find an accountability partner.
Finding an accountability partner is one of the best ways to keep yourself on track and motivated. This person can be a friend, teammate, or family member. They don't have to know how much you procrastinate (or even care), but they should know that you're working hard and trying your best to complete what needs doing. Since it's important for both parties' success that they help each other stay motivated, having this kind of relationship is one way of ensuring that everyone stays accountable for their actions—and ultimately makes progress toward their goals!
If this sounds like something you'd benefit from in your life right now: great! You'll have someone who understands where you're coming from—especially if they've been there before themselves—and will help keep things moving along smoothly as well as hold themselves accountable when needed.
Related Post: Your vision Board for 2022: Here’s What to Know
You can overcome procrastination even if you’ve struggled with it for a long time.
You can overcome procrastination even if you've struggled with it for a long time.
If you're feeling demotivated, think of your past successes and how they were achieved, then build on them—this will help you see that there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to do the same thing again.
Check in with yourself - are your motivations and goals based in reality? Give yourself the grace of setting realistic goals. It's important to aim high and set big visions for your life but they should feel "natural" or "attainable" to you. This helps you to believe that you can accomplish them and stay on track.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've reached the end of this blog post. Thank you for staying along for the ride. I hope it helps you feel less overwhelmed and more confident in your ability to overcome procrastination. The key is to remember that procrastination isn't the end of the world, and it's never too late to change your habits.
If you need a more tangible tool that helps you set reasonable goals that feel attainable, be sure to check out The Chroma Network's Quarterly Goal-Setting Planner. You'll be more than well on your way to a more mindful goal-setting and self-reflection practice. If sustainable systems that are easy to stick with are what you're after, then this one is for you!
