Beating Procrastination and Staying Productive
As we step into another New Year with the continuing pandemic and the lack of a clear future path within the current virtual situation or hybrid work model, many of us may be facing a drop in our productivity at the workplace or a higher incidence of procrastination with our tasks and responsibilities. Afterall, who hasn’t found it tough to deal with the ‘new normal’ over the past couple of years, reviewing and adjusting one’s expectations and goals every step of the way?
WHAT IS PROCRASTINATION?
Well, we know what we should do, and we have the action plan set for us, however we put it off and avoid it until the last minute, even though we know that we would be better off by just acting on our plans.
Create the habit of effort
To conquer procrastination, it is important to turn effort itself into a habit pattern. This is not as daunting as it may sound! Even small efforts, consistently undertaken, set new habits into motion. You’ve probably had the experience of procrastinating, finally starting the work, and then finding that the task is much easier to complete than how you thought it would be.Boost your energy by tackling the work
Most times, procrastination is the result of getting stuck in a low energy phase, where effort itself seems very effortful! Once we tackle the work and make progress, we experience new energy and interest which helps us sustain the drive for the task’s completion.Read on for some quick tips to overcome the tendency to procrastinate:
Awareness
We need to consciously recognize the situations in which we are procrastinating, and be aware of the kind of tasks that leave us feeling like we don’t want to put in the immediate effort.
Reflection
Once we are aware of our procrastinating habit, we need to focus on our avoidance and emotionally connect with how we will feel if we fail to act on our goals and values. The key is to create a sense of immediacy and urgency through positive motivations
Self-Motivation
It is important for us to find productive reasons to stay motivated and engage in tasks. Rather than focusing on the negative consequences we may face upon failure to complete as the reason to do the task, it is essential for us to align our motivation with positive outcomes like personal growth, higher success, greater recognition and value, etc.
Time Management Techniques
Although this is just one part of the puzzle, it is essential that we make the task less daunting for ourselves by breaking it down into smaller ‘achievable’ goals with set timelines, allowing flexibility to enjoy and absorb the work as we do it, rather than rushing through it at the last minute.Although it is the natural tendency to move past procrastination only when we feel the urgency to act, it is
essential for us to look within and find the positive motivation required to complete the task within the planned
timeline, rather than deriving our motivation from the threat of negative consequences.
