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Learn how to stop procrastinating once and for all with these 5 time management tips!
But first…. What is procrastination and why do we allow it to run our lives?
Here’s how good old Webster describes procrastination: “To delay or postpone action”
Procrastination happens when we relate a particular action to pain. For instance, going to the gym, doing mundane paperwork, dealing with difficult people…etc. You stand still to avoid the risk of pain that comes along with taking action, but in the long run you resent yourself for not doing something sooner. Ever felt that way before? The question to ask yourself during those times is this: “Do I want to be in this same place a year from now that I am today?” If your answer is no then it’s time to make a change and learn how to stop procrastinating.
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Here are 5 tips on how to stop procrastinating and get more done:
1. Make a daily agenda.
One thing the most successful people have in common is making a daily agenda. A mentor once told me, “If it’s not on your schedule, it doesn’t exist.” You will have a better chance at achieving tasks if they’re actually on your schedule.
Your agenda should include:
- The top tasks needed to get done for the day.
- The people you need to reach out to in order to help accomplish those tasks.
- Prioritize in order of most important!
Helpful Tip: Don’t allow yourself to do anything else until you accomplish the first 5 tasks you need to do that day. This ensures that your most important, and often most dreaded tasks, get finished before any distractions can take over.
2. Minimize Distractions.
- Start with your environment. Make sure you are somewhere where other people and sounds won’t disturb you.
- Do NOT check your email or phone messages. This is the #1 distraction in the workplace. If need be, check your emails and make phone calls that ONLY pertain to your top priorities that must get done immediately.
- Don’t even think about checking your social media sites. This is the other big time waster for our Millennials and Gen. X’ers. You log in for a quick moment to check if anyone has liked your last post, and end up spending the next hour of your day checking other people’s posts. Just don’t bother with it until your most important tasks are finished.
Helpful Tip: Allot time on your daily agenda for emails, phone calls, and social media. Set your alarm for the allotted time to help you stick to that time frame.
3. Give your task a deadline.
Most procrastinators wait until the last minute to get started on a task because they don’t enjoy the task and there’s no sense of urgency to push them to do it sooner. If you know there is a time limit you are more likely to start right away.
Helpful Tip: Even if there is no deadline, create one to get into the mindset of giving the task a sense of priority.
4. Make your tedious tasks fun.
The repetitive humdrum tasks can get quite boring day in and day out. To avoid putting these tasks off, make them fun! Make a game out the task. For instance, when I train managers on how to handle conflict/resolution effectively, I give them a group activity to make the training more interactive and enjoyable. It makes time fly while they’re learning.
Helpful Tip: Find ways to make work fun. Race against another co-worker to see who can finish the same task first, or choose a reward to give yourself if you finish your own task early.
5. Get an accountability partner.
When you know you have a big project coming up that you tend to have procrastinated on in the past, ask someone close to you to hold you accountable until your end result is reached. Have them call you midday or mid-week to check if you are on the right track. Having support and accountability from others helps us keep focused and motivated.
Helpful Tip: Never ask someone to do something for you that you’re not willing to do for them as well. Make sure you offer to be an accountability partner for the other person’s goals.
Procrastination is more than a time consumer, it’s a daily battle. The great news is, once you know how to beat it, NOTHING can stand in your way. Take charge and stop letting procrastination rule your life.
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Betsy Allen-Manning
Leadership Speaker | Best Selling Author | Human Behavior Expert
www.BetsyAllenManning.com
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