Calling All Chronic Procrastinators: Productivity Tips That Work

Chronic procrastination may get the best of you. Despite your best efforts to remain productive, you may quickly fall behind on everyday tasks. And the more you fall behind, the harder it becomes to rebound.

Ultimately, you need to take measures to avoid chronic procrastination. With the right approach, you can remain productive. Best of all, you’ll be able to get the most value out of your time, energy, and resources.

5 Productivity Tips That Work

1. Find Out Why You Procrastinate

In some instances, procrastination can occur due to anxiety or fear of failure. Or it may be related to a lack of energy or motivation. Regardless, you need to identify the root cause of your issue, so you can put this problem in the rearview mirror.

Self-awareness is key, particularly when it comes to procrastination. So, take a look in the mirror and figure out why you procrastinate in the first place. Then, you can make a plan to address the problem.

2. Start Slow

One of the biggest problems that procrastinators face: getting started. Yet, those who embrace the opportunity to start a challenging task are well-equipped to alleviate the uncomfortable feeling that often accompanies the endeavor.

Typically, it helps to start slowly to boost your productivity. Much in the same way Rome was not built in a day, you should not expect your procrastination habit to go away immediately. Rather, begin a task and work diligently to complete it. Take breaks as needed along the way. Don’t forget to track your progress, too. Over time, you’ll become more productive as you tackle task after task. In the long run, you’ll overcome your tendency to procrastinate as well.

3. Establish Deadlines

You may feel like you have all the time in the world to complete a task. However, the clock can run out if you are not careful. In the worst-case scenario, you may end up rushing to complete a task, which can lead to poor results.

Deadlines are must-haves for chronic procrastinators. Generally, it helps to give yourself as much time as possible to complete a task.

To determine an appropriate deadline, map out the steps involved in a task and how long it takes to complete each one. Next, you can identify how much time is required for the entire task. It can also be beneficial to build buffer room into your deadline. That way, if an emergency arises, you’ll still have sufficient time to finish your task on deadline.

4. Get Organized

It may seem like a pipe dream to get organized. But anyone can become an organization expert — even a chronic procrastinator. In fact, with patience and hard work, a procrastinator can get organized without delay and reap the benefits of doing so long into the future.

To get organized, declutter your workspace. Remove any non-essential items, along with potential distractions that can otherwise hamper your productivity. Furthermore, it can be beneficial to use a personal organizer and take notes throughout the day. This can help you stay on track with myriad tasks.

5. Find an Accountability Partner

If you’re concerned about procrastination, get an accountability partner. This allows you to be accountable to yourself and someone else. It can challenge you to push the limits of your productivity as you work hand in hand with a peer who drives you to perform your best.

An accountability partner can be a colleague or friend who wants you to be the best version of yourself. You and your partner can provide regular updates on how well you perform day after day. Plus, you can offer support to each other. In doing so, you and your accountability partner can achieve unprecedented results.