5 Steps to Overcoming Procrastination and Boosting Productivity

For how long have you been pushing that task on your mind forward? One week? A month? A year? 

It seems there is always a lot to be done. I know how awful it feels after a week ends and you look back wondering how you spent it without doing that one thing that you wanted to do all along.

You know that feeling when you have a million things on your to-do list, but you just can’t seem to get started? Yeah, we’ve all been there. 

Procrastination is a real problem. To procrastinate is to put off; to delay taking action until a later time.

It becomes a problem because more often than not, the procrastinator hardly ever gets the task done at last.

Whether you’re a busy parent trying to juggle work, family, and a million other responsibilities, or a student struggling to stay on top of your assignments and balance other areas of your life, procrastination can hold you back from achieving your goals.

It’s like trying to run a race with one foot tied behind your back.

The truth is, putting off important tasks can really take a toll on our productivity and success.

Maybe you’ve been meaning to start that new business idea, or finally organize your home office, or wash that bathroom, but it just keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list. Does this sound familiar?

Well, it doesn’t have to be this way. In this post, I’m going to share 5 practical strategies to help you overcome procrastination and start crushing your goals.

First, we’ll dive into the root causes of procrastination. Do you struggle with a lack of motivation? Are you just feeling overwhelmed by big, daunting tasks?

Understanding where your procrastination is coming from is the first step to finding a solution.

Next, I’ll talk about building a productivity-focused mindset. It’s all about cultivating the right attitude and habits to help you stay on track, even when the going gets tough.

I’ll also share some game-changing time management techniques. You know those days when you feel like you’re running around like a headless chicken, but you still can’t seem to get anything done? Yeah, I’ve got you covered.

And speaking of getting things done, I’ll show you how to break down big, overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.

That way, you can start making progress without feeling like you’re climbing Mount Everest.

Finally, we’ll talk about the power of accountability and rewards. Surrounding yourself with people who can keep you on track, and treating yourself when you hit your goals, can be game-changers when it comes to overcoming procrastination.

It’s time to wave goodbye to procrastination and say hello to a more productive, successful you!

How to Overcome Procrastination

1. Find the Root Cause 

Why Do People Procrastinate?

After identifying a problem, the first step towards fixing it is identifying the root cause. Let’s start fixing procrastination by first finding out what leads to it.

Some of the common reasons why people procrastinate are:

• Lack of motivation

This seems like one of the biggest reasons why people procrastinate. Maybe the task at hand just doesn’t excite you, or it feels like a chore.

Also, if the task does not seem immediately rewarding, people may procrastinate.

• Perfectionism

Setting unrealistically high expectations for yourself or trying to get everything perfectly in place before you start can discourage you from getting started.

Because you want everything to be just right, you end up getting stuck in the planning stage.

• Fear of failure 

If you are always afraid of failing, you might keep putting off that task indefinitely. You’d rather not try than risk disappointing yourself or others.

• Fear of criticism

Sometimes people procrastinate because they fear harsh judgment from others. These people doubt their abilities and would easily give in to self-defeat.

• Distractions

How often have you put off your work as soon as you get a notification on your phone? As harmless as this habit may seem, it is capable of making you postpone more important tasks. 

• Lack of clarity

Another reason why people procrastinate is because they are not sure where to start. When there is a big task to be done, you may feel overwhelmed and confused.

• Low self-esteem

If you have made mistakes in the past while trying to do a certain task, you may lack the confidence to try again and end up pushing it off to a later time that seems to never come.

There are more reasons, but these are common ones. What causes you to procrastinate?

Understanding your personal triggers for procrastination will guide you towards the appropriate preventative measures to tackle it.

2. Develop a Productivity Mindset

After identifying your procrastination trigger, it’s time to adopt a more positive and proactive attitude towards your tasks and goals.

Instead of seeing them as burdens, try to reframe them as opportunities for growth and achievement.

It’s time you learn how to develop a growth mindset.

Visualize the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you cross them off your to-do list. This has a powerful effect on how you behave. 

“Productivity isn’t about being a workhorse. Keeping busy or burning the midnight oil… It’s more about priorities, planning, and fiercely protecting your time” – Garry Keller 

When you are productive, you make the most of your time and generate results; you move from just being busy to properly using your time in a way that gives you better results.

3. Break Down Tasks and Set Achievable Goals

Remember I mentioned that one of the reasons why people procrastinate is because the task before them seems insurmountable and they are not sure where to start?

That’s right!

To overcome this, try breaking down big, daunting tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.

This can make them feel less overwhelming and more approachable. 

For example, I might want to postpone writing a book because it takes too much of my time in a day and makes it difficult for me to do anything else.

But writing the book is an important task for me. 

To make it a less daunting task to approach, I will break it down into smaller chunks of tasks that allow me to attend to other chores. 

I can apportion two hours a day to work on the book till it’s completed. On my To-do list, today may be for research while tomorrow I will be drafting an outline. 

Ensure that your goals are S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely). 

Setting SMART goals will help you overcome procrastination and become more productive.

4. Optimize Your Time Management

Effective time management is a game-changer when it comes to overcoming procrastination and boosting your productivity. 

The following tips can help you effectively manage your time:

• The Pomodoro technique

This is one powerful technique that involves working in 25-minute bursts, followed by short breaks. The structure and sense of urgency can help you stay focused and on track. 

How it works:

1. Pick a task.
2. Set your timer for 25 minutes.
3. When the alarm goes off, take a break for 5 minutes.
4. Resume your task.
5. Repeat the cycle 3 more times.
6. Take a longer break for 30 minutes.
7. Get back to work.

• Time blocking 

This is another great time management strategy where you dedicate specific time slots to different tasks on your schedule for the day and you stick to the schedule.

It’s like dividing your day into time blocks and assigning a specific 

For instance, you can time-block your morning this way:

1. 6.00 am – 6.15 am: Meditation and prayers
2. 6.15 am – 7.00 am: Read
3. 7.00 am – 7.30 am: Get dressed 
4. 7.30 am – 8.00 am: Go to work
5. 8.00 am – 8.15 am: Read emails and respond
6. 8.15 am – 8.30 am: Schedule meetings
7. 8.30 am – 9.30 am: Create client proposal
8. 9.30 am – 10.30 am: Prepare workshop presentation
9. 10.30 am – 11:00 am: Social media
10. 11.00 am – 12 noon: Meeting

• 5. Priority list

Making priority lists can also work wonders. Write a list of all the tasks you need to get done.

Identify your most important and urgent tasks, and rearrange the list, putting the most important tasks at the top. Tackle those first.

This ensures you’re always making progress on your top priorities, even when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

• Identify and eliminate time-wasters

Take a close look at how you’re spending your time throughout the day. Are you constantly getting sucked into social media or online browsing?

Those little time-wasters can really add up. Identify the biggest culprits and find ways to limit or eliminate them.

Maybe that means turning off notifications, using website blockers, or creating a dedicated “web browsing” time slot instead of randomly checking your phone. The key is to be ruthless about protecting your time and focus.

Your mobile device can be of great help too. Many smartphones have a feature that allows you to set up a ‘focus mode’.

When this mode is turned on, it deactivates all apps that distract you for a set duration. When you are done with your task, you can turn it off.

Strategies for better planning and organization

Planning and organization are crucial for effective time management. Start by mapping out your daily and weekly schedules.

Block off time for your most important tasks, and be sure to build in breaks and buffer time to avoid feeling rushed.

You can also try using a task management system, whether it’s a digital to-do list app or good old-fashioned pen and paper.

Categorize your tasks, set deadlines, and break bigger projects down into smaller, more manageable steps.

By implementing these time management strategies, you’ll be able to eliminate distractions, stay organized, and make steady progress on your most important goals. 

5. Leverage Accountability and Reward

You know what they say about accountability being the glue that ties commitment to results? Well, it’s totally true when it comes to beating procrastination.

When you make yourself accountable to someone else, it puts a little extra fire under your butt to actually get things done.

You can share your goals with a friend, join an online accountability group, or even hire a coach or mentor to keep you in check. The goal is to have that external pressure to keep you on your toes.

You’re less likely to let yourself (or someone else) down when you know you have to report back on your progress.

When you’re working towards something on your own, it’s easy to let yourself off the hook or make excuses.

But when you’ve got an accountability partner or group cheering you on, it’s a whole different ball game.

You can celebrate wins together, troubleshoot roadblocks, and generally keep each other motivated and on track.

Plus, it just feels good to have a supportive community in your corner, doesn’t it?

We will not fail to acknowledge the efficacy of rewards when it comes to getting tasks done.

When you’re pushing yourself to break through procrastination and tackle those tough tasks, you deserve a pat on the back (and maybe something a little more tangible too).

You can experiment with different types of rewards and celebrations to keep yourself motivated along the way.

You can treat yourself to lunch at your fancy restaurant, you can schedule a relaxing self-care session, or you can buy yourself a little something that you desire or you can plan a fun outing with friends.  

Rewards can provide that extra boost of motivation. Just make sure the reward aligns with the effort – you don’t want to undermine your progress by going overboard.

Conclusion

Breaking free from procrastination doesn’t have to be so hard. If you implement the strategies in this post, you are certainly going to be better off at being productive. 

First, find out what triggers your procrastination. Do you lack motivation? Are you afraid? Are you distracted?

Next, visualize the satisfaction that comes with being productive and picture yourself getting that satisfaction. Then go ahead and break down your tasks into simple achievable ones.

Use any of the time management techniques shared in this post and get yourself an accountability partner. 

Soon, you’ll see yourself achieving more in a day and consequently in a week and more.

Don’t forget to reward yourself as you begin to see progress.

Have you tried any of these tips before? Feel free to share your experience in the comments. 

Share this post with your friends. You might be rescuing someone.