Do you procrastinate? We all do from time to time. Admittedly, it can be difficult to do things we don’t want to do. I can justify putting off doing something until the deadline is close at hand. In my head, I make the job bigger than it is or less appealing that it will be, and claim other tasks are more important and less painful.
Even when we know that waiting too long will create more problems, getting started can still seem impossible. Unfortunately, when procrastinating affects your job-related tasks, it can have a negative impact on your professional career as well. So, being able to beat procrastination at its own game is important. I have included strategies for kicking this annoying tendency to the curb. Don’t delay, read on . . .
1. Schedule when you’re going to do it. Unless I schedule it into my calendar, it waits until tomorrow and then the day after and so on. It is much harder to put the task off when its staring back at you say “It’s my time.” So, make an appointment for the day and time you’re going to work on the task. This is far more effective than just leaving everything up in the air until the right moment seems to present itself. 
2. Consider scheduling just enough time to get started. I don’t know if you are like me, but once I get started on something, I feel better about working on it. It is just the getting started part. Think, “I’m going to work on this for 20 minutes,” then follow through. It seems easier and you should be able to sit down and get busy. Interestingly, once you get started, you’ll probably spend a lot more than 20 minutes on it. Getting starting is the tough part.
Make it as easy as possible to get started.
3. Break the task into smaller parts. Larger tasks can seem overwhelming. By dividing the task into manageable parts, it will be psychologically easier to tackle the project. It’s easier to do 10 small things than one big thing.
For example, once you’ve done five small things, you know that you’ve completed five things, instead of just starting on the one big thing without deriving any sense of accomplishment. So break that task down into smaller bites.
4. Which part is the most dreaded part? Frequently, there is a small part of the task that is really holding you back and stopping you from getting the job done. Maybe you don’t have to do that part. Is it possible to get someone else to take care of it for you? Can you outsource it? Many times, if someone else handles the part you dread, everything else will fall into place.
5. Pick the best time to do it. We all have times of the day that we’re better at certain tasks. We have times when we’re better at concentrating, others when we’re more creative, and other times when we have more energy. Mornings are my best time for undertaking difficult and challenging tasks. By the afternoon both my energy and concentration have waivered. I have learned to schedule the must do tasks first thing in my day. Before other, more enticing activities come to mind.
What’s the proper time for you to tackle the task? Do you need quiet and privacy? Do you need access to certain people?
6. Get what you need to complete it. Make a list of the tools, supplies, and resources that you’ll need to both begin and complete the task. It’s hard to get started when you know you can’t get finished
7. Reward yourself! Give yourself a reward for completing the task. You’ve earned it! It doesn’t have to be anything big, but we all like a little treat now and then. A special coffee, a snack or even 15 minutes on Facebook. A little additional motivation never hurt anyone.
“Your Life Is Happening Right Now: Don’t let procrastination take over your life. Be brave and take risks. Your life is happening right now.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Imagine how much better your life would be if you could kick the procrastination habit out the door. Unfinished tasks have a profound effect on your sense of well-being and peace of mind. Living with the stress that procrastination can cause isn’t necessary. Start using the tips above and remove the challenge of procrastination from your life. You’ll be so glad you did.
PS. Learning to Work with Conflict is scheduled for May 14 & 15 at Providence Renewal Centre. Register below to learn how to have difficult conversations at work and home!
Karin Naslund
CEO, Educator & Mentor, Naslund Consulting Group Inc.
Karin Naslund is the CEO of Life Bright Learning and Naslund Consulting. She is a trainer, mediator, and coach. Karin has been working with new leaders for 30-years and enjoys watching them grow in confidence as they apply new skills on the job and at home.