The Best Way To Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination affects a great many of us, but there are ways to combat it such as implementing the 3-minute rule or asking a friend of family member to keep you accountable for completing a task.
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Procrastination is not the key to success. Many people suffer from procrastination as there are many opportunities to become distracted in this world, like your phone, new episodes of the Kardashians, or basically any other task that’s better than working. But it does not help anybody achieve their goals and can cause even more anxiety.
Psychologists state that procrastination isn’t a time management thing; it is a coping mechanism, and it has been linked to ADHD and other disorders. There are two types of procrastinators: one who delays the task due to an inability to take action and the other who hinders a job as they work better under pressure.
Most people tend to move between being procrastinators and being productive, sometimes daily. So what are the ways people can ensure procrastination is down to a minimum so they can complete the tasks they need to do and move on to other things that make them happy?
To combat procrastination, it helps to do work that you like and makes you happy. By surrounding yourself with people and tasks you enjoy, you will be drawn to completing them rather than putting them off. If you dislike anything about the task ahead, it will feed your procrastination and anxiety.
Another great way of battling procrastination is the three-minute rule. This rule states that if something takes less than three minutes, you do it immediately. Using this rule takes the procrastination out of small tasks and unburdens your mind from menial tasks.
An additional way of training your mind that can be used in conjunction with the three-minute rule is if there is a specific task that you struggle with completing straight away, then link it to a job that takes the same amount of time. For example, if you make coffee every morning but hate making your bed, start the coffee, and by the time that is completed, the bed is made. The task is completed before you know it and adds accountability to your actions.
Also, asking for help from a friend or family member to increase accountability can work for some people. They can check your progress and ask why you haven’t completed your task.
For some people, using a notepad or an app to list their tasks and set reminders is enough of a push to get them started and motivated. A time-management app is also a way of scheduling the workday to ensure breaks and chunks of time for productive working. Also, keeping a clean space for working is essential to keep a clear mind; while it might not work for famous artists, for us mere mortals, it is the best way to work efficiently.
And lastly, it goes without saying that scrolling on social media or internet shopping is not a great way to stay productive over the day, so avoid doing this where you can. If you must scroll on the internet, use an informative platform to keep in the working mind frame.
Everyone deals with procrastination at one time or another, but implementing specific tasks or habits can increase your productivity. In the long run, you can spend time doing what you love instead of thinking about doing what you don’t want.
