Overcoming Procrastination: Strategies and Tools for Productivity

As a team, we recently developed and shared our personal business plans for 2024, including what we'd start, stop, and pause. Quite a few of us had "stop procrastinating" as a goal for the year ahead. A self-confessed procrastinator, I've spent some time thinking about and researching into why we do it, and how to avoid it.

Procrastination is a common obstacle that many people face in their daily lives. Whether it's putting off tasks until the last minute or succumbing to distractions, procrastination can hinder productivity and lead to increased stress levels. However, with the right strategies and tools, it's possible to overcome procrastination and reclaim control over your time and goals.

Understanding Procrastination

Procrastination often stems from various factors, including fear of failure (tick), perfectionism (tick), lack of motivation, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand. It's essential to recognise the underlying reasons behind procrastination to address them effectively.

Strategies to Combat Procrastination

1. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Large tasks can feel daunting and lead to procrastination. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps, and tackle them one at a time. Celebrate each small victory, which can boost your motivation and momentum.
2. Set Clear Goals and Deadlines: Establish specific, achievable goals and deadlines for your tasks. Having a clear sense of direction helps prioritise activities and reduces the likelihood of procrastination.
3. Use the Pomodoro Technique: This time management method involves working for a set period, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short break. Repeat this cycle and reward yourself with a more extended break after several intervals. I've found planning my day in 30- or 60-minute segments works wonders for me.
4. Eliminate Distractions: Identify common distractions in your environment and take steps to minimise them. This might involve creating a designated workspace where you won't be interrupted, turning off notifications, or using website blockers to limit access to distracting websites and apps. See below for some resources which can help.
5. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when facing setbacks or challenges. Avoid dwelling on past procrastination episodes and focus on moving forward with a positive mindset. Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your efforts and progress, no matter how small.
6. Find Accountability Partners: Share your goals with a friend, family member, or colleague who can help hold you accountable. Regular check-ins and mutual support can help you stay motivated and committed to overcoming procrastination.
7. Visualise Success: Visualise yourself completing tasks and achieving your goals. Positive visualisation can boost motivation and confidence, making it easier to overcome procrastination and take action.

4 Tried & Tested Resources to Enhance Productivity

1. Follow Daniel Sih and read his award-winning book, "Spacemaker: how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age" I was fortunate to have met Daniel years ago when I was leading a global HR team, working literally all hours of the day and night. The advice he gave me back then was game-changing, still evident in the way I manage my workload today. His second book, "Raising Tech-Healthy Humans" is a must for parents too.
2. Download the one sec | distracting apps made less appealing – scientifically (one-sec.app) to reduce or eliminate mindless scrolling. Proven to drop app usage by 57% on average. I've been using this for the past month, and it really does work! If you can't bring yourself to delete your social media or other distracting apps, this is the next best thing.
3. Listen to this insightful podcast (you'll need iTunes on your PC or phone) by the team at The Resilience Project, which is where I learned about the one sec app. You'll hear some other great tips about managing the stress which is often caused by overwhelm and procrastination. https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/podcasts/season-5-episode-20-dr-emily-how-to-stress-less/
4. Then download Ahead App - Home (ahead-app.com), built by behaviour change experts to help you learn how to stop procrastinating (as well as improving your confidence and keeping your cool). By following the steps above, you'll have created more time to invest in yourself once your work is done, so here's a great way to do that.

Overcoming procrastination requires self-awareness, discipline, and the willingness to adopt effective strategies and tools. By understanding the root causes of procrastination and implementing practical techniques, you can increase productivity, reduce stress, and achieve your goals with confidence. Remember, consistency and perseverance are key on the journey toward improved time management and greater productivity.