In today’s WorthWorkn4Wednesday series, I would address the issue most of us face, i.e., procrastination. We all end up procrastinating every now and then. If it happens occasionally, it is somewhat harmless. But if it is a regular feature of your work pattern then it can be detrimental for your work progress, potential and productivity.

Here are 3 small steps that we can take when we find ourselves dragging our tasks:

“It has to be Done Now!”

The term “procrastination” is a Latin word that means “to put off until tomorrow.” Most of the times, we end up delaying things needlessly because we think that there is still time and these tasks can be done conveniently later. The pressure of urgency is what keeps our adrenaline and our productivity going. This obviously is not a healthy work pattern. Likewise, when you are struggling with procrastination, you might tell yourself that the task will take too long and put off doing it until later. Yet research has shown that if people wait more than 15 minutes to start a task, they usually won’t complete it later at all – even if they come back to the project with more time. So, stop telling yourself that you will do it later and get going!

Break Down Tasks

Another reason we procrastinate is because we find them somewhat hard and complex. So, breaking tasks into smaller chunks can take out the complexity from the task and make it actionable. In this respect, synthesizing the task is the first step. Once we understand it better, we are more likely to be motivated to start doing it. The second step is breaking the tasks in smaller chunks or goals and tracking progress accordingly.

For example, if I have read a book and want to finish reading it in one sitting. But I feel overwhelmed by the idea of reading all of these words in just one go, then I should break the reading session in smaller chunks, such as reading 15 pages in one sitting and then 15 more in another sitting. This way you would be able to make some progress instead of just sitting and procrastinating.

However, do remember to break the task down into manageable parts, but don’t make them so small that there is very little progress at the end of the day.

Take a Break; Reward Yourself

Allowing yourself to take a break only when you are done is a great way to not give into the temptation to daydream and procrastinate and get things done ultimately. However, if the task is too complex and long, you would end up getting tired and fed up. You are more likely to leave the task in the mid. So when you are dealing with a complex and time-consuming project, insert some appropriately timed breaks in your schedule.

For instance, when you finish one part of the task, give yourself a reward – even if it’s just five minutes of reading an article you enjoy, having some tea or taking five minutes to walk around the block outside. This way you won’t feel that you are slaving away to meet some elusive goals. You would also feel in control of your timeline.

To Sum up

We all have those days when we just can’t seem to get anything done. The 3 steps given above are not meant to be a cure-all for the condition of procrastination, but they have been proven effective for many.

Let’s Hear from You!

Some strategies work for some, while other work for others. Some people listen to productivity music, work in an isolated space to minimize distractions, etc. What are the strategies that work for you. Mention them in the comment box.