Procrastination

It is difficult to "just get things done." There is always something else going on. You are not alone in this.

But there is a way through. Procrastination has a cure. It is about having priorities, staying organized, and applying a few basic principles consistently.

“You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again.”— Benjamin Franklin

Take One Step at a Time

You can only take care of one thing at a time. So stop trying to tackle everything at once.

Breaking your goal into a step-by-step approach gives you the chance to conquer one phase at a time. Focus on the immediate step, get it done as well as you can, and then move to the next one.

For example, going back to school after a long break can feel overwhelming before you even start. Just break it down: research programs, pick one, apply. When you have your list, focus only on step one. Give yourself a deadline and do not move on until it is done.

Organize Your Environment

When you change your environment, you change your mindset.

Reorganizing your desk, switching to a different workspace, or cleaning out a room creates a sense of a new beginning. And a new beginning feels exciting in a way that motivates action.

Think of a child who gets a new toy. That toy represents an exciting new opportunity. You can create that same feeling by giving your workspace or your project a fresh start. Procrastination fades when you feel like something new is happening.

Avoid Distractions

Most procrastination is just distraction in disguise.

The first step is naming what actually distracts you. Social media, email, texts, TV. Once you can name it, you can limit it or remove it during the time you need to focus.

Set aside blocks of time dedicated to your one priority. Let people know you are not available during that time. Turn off everything that pulls your attention away. You do not need to do this forever. Just for this block of time, today.

Accountability

Accountability makes your actions real. Without it, you are only accountable to yourself, and that is easy to negotiate with.

One way is finding a partner with a similar goal. Someone who checks in on you, who you update on your progress, and who tells you when you are falling behind.

Another way is accountability through a system. A reward structure, a timer, a block of dedicated time you commit to completing before you stop. The exact method is less important than having one.

Understand Your Path

Sometimes we procrastinate because the goal is not actually a priority anymore. And that is worth examining.

Make a list of what is most important to you right now. Then look at your goals. Do they match? Are your goals and your priorities pointing in the same direction?

If they are not aligned, that is likely why you keep putting things off. Adjust. Update the goal if you need to. Either way, understanding your path gives you the clarity to stop stalling and start moving.