How To Stop Procrastinating From Now?

You have a task that you know you have to complete by a certain day, yet you can’t seem to get it done. You keep pushing it and pushing, you frantically work to complete the task. You are stressed and feel that you wasted valuable time. Starting to think about how to stop procrastinating from now?

You know you have to increase your productivity and get things done, but you are not sure how to start. Sometimes you start to get motivated, but you soon lose that motivation and momentum only to be left in the scenario we painted before. 

Here, we’ll share with you how to stop procrastinating, become more efficient and boost your productivity. You can start today!

What is productivity? ⛹️‍♂️ 

Productivity is a way to measure efficiency. Essentially, it is how much of something you can do/produce in a certain amount of time. To increase your productivity, you want to do/produce more in the same amount of time as before.

Highly productive people are not necessarily those working 24/7, but those who know how to utilize every minute of their workday best - work smarter, not harder. 

Productivity levels can vary significantly among individuals due to a combination of personal, environmental, and behavioral factors.

Here are 5 key reasons why some people are super productive while others struggle to maintain high levels of productivity:

1. Time Management Skills

Super productive individuals excel in managing their time effectively. They prioritize tasks, set clear goals, and utilize tools like to-do lists, calendars, and time-blocking techniques to optimize their daily schedules.

In contrast, those who struggle with productivity may lack effective time management strategies, leading to inefficiencies and difficulty completing tasks promptly.

2. Motivation and Mindset

Highly productive individuals often possess a strong intrinsic motivation and a growth-oriented mindset. They set challenging goals, maintain a positive outlook, and stay committed to achieving their objectives.

Conversely, individuals with low productivity might face issues with motivation, procrastination, or self-doubt, hindering their ability to stay focused and driven.

3. Minimizing Distractions

Super productive people are skilled at identifying and minimizing distractions in their environment. They may create dedicated workspaces, implement time management techniques like the Pomodoro method, or practice mindfulness to stay focused on their tasks.

On the other hand, those with lower productivity may struggle to overcome distractions, resulting in decreased focus and productivity.

4. Efficient Work Habits

Productive individuals often develop efficient work habits, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps, delegating when appropriate, and utilizing technology to streamline processes. In contrast, less productive individuals may have inefficient work habits, leading to wasted time and effort.

5. Work-Life Balance

Achieving a balance between work and personal life is crucial for sustained productivity. Super productive individuals prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and recharge regularly, ensuring they avoid burnout. Those with lower productivity may neglect their well-being, leading to reduced energy levels and reduced productivity in the long run.

What is stopping you from being productive? 🙅🏼

Multiple factors lead to lack of productivity, the main one being procrastination, i.e. postponing or delaying something you know you have to do. We are all familiar with procrastination, putting things at the bottom of your list and telling yourself, “I’ll get to it later.”

But, do you get to it later?

Here is a comprehensive guide (blog article), check it out - How to beat procrastination

Procrastination can look like this:

• You lack the motivation to complete (or start) a project, so you keep delaying it. You tell yourself you’ll do it later. 
• You are constantly distracted by your surroundings, and you find yourself killing time without achieving much. Or, you are doing too much at once that, in the end, you don’t get much of each task done.
• You are about to start a project, but you suddenly get the urge to re-organize your pantry, clean the garage, go through your closet before starting your project.

So, how do you stop procrastinating?

Boost your productivity

Quitting your procrastination habits is not as simple as turning off the switch. You have to create new productive habits. Here are some tips to get you started and become more productive:

1. Work in 90-minute intervals ⏱. For those 90 minutes, you will only work on one individual task. It is hard for us to focus on something for more than 90 minutes. Beyond that period of time, we start getting distracted, and our productivity drops. After your work interval, take a short break to reset. 
2. Avoid multitasking 🗃. Research shows that attempting to do multiple things at once actually results in time lost and low productivity. As mentioned in the previous point, focus on one task at a time. You’ll find yourself completing that task sooner than if you had done multiple at once. 
3. Implement the “two-minute rule” 📌. The two-minute rule is simple: if there is a task present that you know you can complete in two minutes or less, do it right now. A great example is making your bed in the morning, it takes less than two minutes, and you will have started your day on a productive note. 
4. Use a time tracker tool 🧭 to measure how much time you spend on certain tasks. Measure how much time you spend on social media, reading emails, etc. Once you have an average, you can limit the amount of time you spend on those tasks. Chances are you are spending more time than you should on them. 
5. Make a to-do list 📗. Start your day by making a list of the tasks to be completed and then organize them based on priority. This shouldn’t take more than 2 minutes. You’ll have a visual reminder of the tasks you have to complete, and you’ll get a great sense of satisfaction once you tick them off your list. 
6. Practice Mindfulness 🧘🏽‍♀️: Cultivate mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing exercises. Mindfulness enhances focus, reduces stress, and improves overall cognitive function, leading to increased productivity.
7. Take Regular Breaks ☕️: Counterintuitive as it may seem, taking regular breaks can significantly boost productivity. Short breaks can help rejuvenate your mind and prevent burnout. Consider the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for a set period (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by a short break.
8. Practice Stress Management 🚵🏼: A calm and centered mindset enhances productivity and decision-making. Practice stress management by engaging in regular physical activity, such as exercise or yoga. Take breaks to relax and practice deep breathing or meditation. Prioritize self-care, maintain a balanced lifestyle, and seek support from friends or professionals when needed.

Remember, you cannot rely on motivation alone to get things done as it will not always be there. The most important element is to create productive habits.

Conclusion 📌

Once you make those habits, you’ll find yourself being productive even when the motivation is not there. Motivation comes and goes; a strong habit is hard to break, so create productive ones. 

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