How to Stop Procrastinating

Make things happen motivational reminder - handwriting on a green sticky note

I will do it later, tomorrow, someday, a rainy day or after I take a short nap.

Are you a procrastinator?

We tend to procrastinate when we feel overwhelmed. If a task feels too difficult to tackle, we may procrastinate. Stop procrastinating and start taking action with these simple and effective tips.

1. When you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself, “What is the next action step?” This question will help you breakdown the task into small steps. For example, if the task is laundry, the next action might be to gather up all the dirty clothing. Second action, take the dirty clothing to the laundry room. From there you would sort the dirty clothing into light and dark loads and so on.

2. Use a timer. This works especially well if you are competitive. Set the timer for as little as 5 minutes and see how much you can accomplish. How many dishes can you wash in 5 minutes? Could you write a grocery list in 15 minutes?

3. Find an accountability partner or hire a professional to help you. A non-judgmental friend to keep you company while you sort papers might be just what you need to get started.

You could then support your friend while they perform a task they have been procrastinating about. Another option for staying accountable is to create a deadline for the task’s completion and ask a friend to check in with you periodically as well as at your deadline.

For some tasks it’s easier to procrastinate than it is to start, but when you use these tips and take action, you will feel amazing.

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