Four Ways to Overcome Procrastination

We live in the age of procrastination. There are so many distractions at our fingertips on our computers and phones that it can overwhelm us during our work time. We all encounter projects that are difficult to start or that we try to avoid at all costs. Here are some steps you can take to set yourself up for more success at work, or anytime you need to get something important done.

Make a list

It’s important to know what you need to accomplish, so write down everything you need to do and prioritize the list. Seeing everything laid out will help you create a timetable in your head, however it’s easiest to tackle things in smaller groups. Start with the easier projects that take the least amount of time. Seeing tasks get checked off your list will give you more momentum to keep going and get more done.

Get rid of distractions

Some people like to listen to music while working to boost their mood and drive. However, sometimes things like this can be a big distraction when trying to start a larger project or something you’ve been putting off. When your work requires a lot of attention to detail, cut out all possible distractions. This even includes other programs running on your computer. It can be easy to think you need to respond to every email immediately, but this breaks your focus. If you give 100% of your attention to your work the quality will reflect this.

Take breaks

Scheduling breaks throughout your day lets you work more efficiently. Knowing that you will have five minutes to check your social media or news outlets will reduce the amount that you check them at random throughout day. This means you will be distracted less frequently and not interrupt your work time. Most people even find that they start to work straight through some of the breaks because they are more focused on their work.

Create a deadline

Make an agenda for all of your projects, even the ones that don’t come with a deadline. Putting your work onto a calendar as well as a list can let you see when it needs to be completed. Prioritize tasks by importance as well as how much time they will require. Giving yourself a time frame will help to keep you accountable to complete them in a reasonable amount of time. This is also helpful because you can always let your coworkers know when you will have tasks finished.

Motivating at work is not always easy, but by prioritizing your tasks, making a realistic timetable, and eliminating distractions you will feel more accomplished and can be proud of the work you’re producing.