If you’ve bookmarked this article to read later, you’re in the right place. Procrastination is something we all do, despite our parents spending years telling us not to put things off. There are always days when you just don’t feel like getting out of your bed in your PG in Civil Lines, Delhi, or delay starting a task because you feel you still have some time before the deadline. But procrastination, while it can help you alleviate anxiety and relax in the short term, can actually increase your stress levels in the long term. Also, once it becomes a habit, it can be difficult to shake off procrastination from completing even the simplest tasks. For example, wouldn’t you rather just pay the electricity bill in your paying guest facility without having to pay a penalty or clean-up your room instead of inviting some disease due to poor hygiene? Chronic procrastinators are guilty of often causing self-harm through such actions. But we are here to talk about bigger acts of procrastination, to understand how to keep this behaviour in check and figure out how to combat its effects. Luckily, we’ve done all the research to help you beat your procrastination tendencies.
With these tips and tricks, you should be able to find a method that best suits your situation and helps you be productive. So, if you’re ready to get procrastination out of the picture, let’s jump in.
Identify your whys
When you’re constantly putting off a task that you need to complete, it’s probably not just because you’re feeling lazy but because you’re not able to resonate with the work that you’re doing. It’s important to understand why you procrastinate as it may lead you to understand how you feel about the task itself. Perhaps the work leaves you feeling stressed, doesn’t match your interests or is actually useless. In such a case, reevaluating the work itself is a better idea so that you can instead find a job that you actually want to do. And if you find yourself procrastinating on a task that you actually enjoy, reminding yourself why you like your work can be equally helpful. Reidentifying a purpose for yourself will make your work more meaningful and motivate you to complete it.
Get help from tech
You’re not alone in your struggle against procrastination. In fact, there are so many people who share this burden that there are several apps on the market that can help you combat it. So, why not download one of these apps on your phone to give yourself the push you need? The easiest way to do this is to turn off notifications on your devices, as you’ll be less likely to check your Instagram or Facebook posts in the middle of work unless a reminder pops up. Keeping your home screen clear of social media apps can also go a long way towards helping you avoid procrastination. And if you’re planning to download external apps, some of our favourites include RescueTime, Toggl and Clockify which are all time-tracking apps that won’t allow you to spend too long on your phone.
Use the Pomodoro technique
If you’ve ever done a HIIT workout, then using the Pomodoro technique is like interval training for your brain. It increases your productivity in bursts and helps you get your work done while taking small breaks in between. This philosophy involves working on a specific task for 25 minutes at a stretch, followed by a five minute break for you to get up or drink water. This cycle is meant to be repeated until your goal is reached. The Pomodoro technique can be a great motivator to help you complete your work without feeling burdened or overwhelmed. If you’re not too confident of your self-control, you could also download an app like Forest to help you follow this method.
Compartmentalise your work
Sometimes the pure volume of work that you have to finish can seem so overwhelming that you put it off as long as possible. And we get that, having a very large or obscure task can make your goal seem unreachable and lower your motivation. Instead, try to break up or compartmentalise your work into smaller chunks that you can define and complete easily. This way you’ll be making progress towards your larger goal and avoiding the tendency to procrastinate too. For example, if you’ve been avoiding cleaning your cupboard for months, tackle it one section at a time instead. Work on your hanging section at one time, your footwear during another, and so on until your task is complete.
Eliminate distractions in your environment
It’s just a basic fact that working in a cluttered or untidy environment is a recipe for disaster. If your hostel room is full of snacks, games, and most importantly, your bed, there’s no way you’re going to be able to focus enough to get your work done. That’s why having a clean, noise-free environment is important. And if you live in a professionally managed accommodation like Stanza Living, you’ll get just that. Because they’ll give you fully furnished rooms with a separate desk where you can focus on getting your work done. If you need to chill, there are separate common areas and gaming zones that you can access after finishing your tasks. Having such clearly demarcated spaces allows you to shift between work and play, at your pace. They also offer professional housekeeping services, so you never have to worry about clutter distracting you or making you procrastinate.
These five simple solutions will help you up your productivity and ditch your procrastination habit. Go ahead and put them to the test and you’ll be amazed at the difference they can make. Now you’re equipped with all the tools you need to get the job done instead of putting it off. Happy working!
