5 Methods I Used to Overcome Procrastination
You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again — Benjamin Franklin
I have been a procrastinator for as long as I can remember. From studying for exams at the last minute to submission of projects/assignments, I have always postponed things till the end moment.
It might have happened for loads of reasons, from me not “being in the mood” to take up the task, to me not liking the work, or me just being lazy to get up out of my comfortable bed/bean bag.
I especially became an expert in procrastination after the COVID situation. I stopped having a routine and started postponing even mundane tasks. When I used to reflect on myself at the end of the day, I would not have done anything, and a list of To-Do’s just kept piling up.
I took a conscious decision on November 15 to take small steps in overcoming my habit of procrastination. I have completed implementing them for a month (Yaay!). I have added them below, with a step by step guide of how to use them. Hope they help!
1. The 5 Second Rule
Most of us would know somewhere in the back of our minds that there is an important task to be done. And that it needs to be completed/submitted. But then we start telling ourselves, “I’ll probably start doing it after 5 minutes”, “Let this episode complete, then I’ll go”. And by the time we know, 2 hours would have passed by.
I was in those shoes too. This one trick helped me.
Whenever I realized I was procrastinating and knew I had to do my job, I would count till 5, and get up. That’s it.
To change, you have to take action, and this would give your brain a boost to do the same
“The moment your instincts fire up, but you feel yourself hesitate, that’s when you use the ‘5 Second Rule.’ You have five seconds. Start counting backward to yourself from five to one, then move,” says Mel Robbins, the leading expert in “kicking” the habit of procrastination and bestselling author of The 5 Second Rule. “If you don’t move within five seconds, your brain will kill the idea, and you’ll talk yourself out of doing it.”
2. Prioritize your To-Do tasks and block time for them
We underestimate the importance of prioritizing our To-Do tasks. We usually make our To-Do lists very enthusiastically, and then as the day goes by, we lose hope of completing everything since it starts to seem too big. The mentality of “I know that I cannot complete it, why should I even try?” comes up.
Prioritizing your tasks makes your lists smaller, more realistic, and achievable. You also stick to your deadlines, which is a plus!
I write down my list the previous night since your mind gets time to get ready for the next day and plan things out subconsciously. Know how much time each task would take approximately and divide your time for it throughout the day.
Block your calendar for the same. It is so important. Also, make sure to keep a buffer with some flexibility. Even if someone interrupts you, you can tell them that you are busy with this task. If it is your boss, ask them about the priority of tasks. You can sort your tasks according to them.
3. Get a shift in your mindset.
I have to do it someday, why not do it now?
This is the most simple but difficult step for most people.
By default, most of us play safe, right? A lot of “What if?” goes on in our heads. I am an SAP developer by profession. If I am assigned a week to complete the task, I keep a deadline to complete it in 5 days. Why?
In the coding world, there is a big probability for random bugs and defects to occur. And I would have to give myself time for that. If I keep something at the last minute, most probably I would not be able to submit it on time.
The same situation can happen in each of our lives, in our careers, in our jobs. So, at least to play it safe, do not procrastinate. That’s what I tell myself every day. You know, you would have to complete that task someday. Why not do it now?
Asking yourself, what would happen if you do not complete your tasks that day, would push you to finish them.
4. Setting up periodic reminders
It is important, especially in the beginning to keep checkpoints, to just sit and reflect on how much is done and how much is left to do. This would be useful for the tasks that you might get in between.
I have two reminders for the day. One at 4 pm, and one at 8 pm. Since I am a night owl, I would still be able to complete the leftover tasks after 8 pm). It depends on you for how many reminders you want for the day and at what time.
The type of reminders is your choice. You can have alarms, or an app to remind you, or have an accountability partner (if you are working with a team, this helps a lot!). I use a mix of all three depending on my mood and type of task.
When you have deadlines and reminders, it sends your brain an urgency shock to complete things faster. You are forced, to sit down and complete the task.
5. Work in Power Hours
A lot of us have a starting problem, isn’t it? It is so difficult to get the “flow” and the focus.
So what I do is, have a complete setup before I sit down. Make sure I do not get many reasons to get up from that place. It may be keeping multiple water bottles next to you, plates of snacks if you are a person who needs food while doing intense work, anything.
Just make sure you do not have many reasons to get up.
Because if you do get up to have a break, you might lose your “flow” state of mind, and the procrastination part of the brain will raise its head.
And make sure you complete at least 80% of the tasks in your flow state. Because later, even if you do get out of the work mode, you can push yourself by saying, “Hey, just 20% left. Let’s do it! Finish it!”
Summary
- Try implementing the 5 Second Rule
- Prioritize your To-Do tasks for the day and block time for them
- I would have to do it someday, why not do it now?
- Set up periodic reminders
- Work in Power hours
These were some tips that helped me get my life on track. I hope they help you too!
Time management is not about doing everything today, it is about strategically procrastinating several items — My Husband (used with permission)
