How to Overcome Procrastination

Procrastination hampers progress and overall performance. It can often cause unnecessary stress which may lead to health issues. Like most bad habits, procrastination can be overcome. Follow these steps to beat your procrastination habit.

Instructions

1. Ask yourself why you are procrastinating. Is the task too hard? Are you too tired? Or are you just plain lazy? Coming to grips with this question is critical in overcoming procrastination.

2. Turn your thoughts away from negative inclinations. Adopt a positive attitude. Your thoughts and attitude exert powerful influences on you. Say "I can do this now" rather than "I don't want to do this now."

3. Make a plan or checklist to accomplish your daily or weekly tasks. Check off each task after you complete it and congratulate yourself for getting it done.

4. Prioritize your tasks and tackle the hardest ones first. Your confidence will increase after you accomplish a few of the bigger tasks. Smaller tasks will soon seem easier and faster to complete.

5. Target one task at a time and work at it until completion. Do not multitask.

6. Be honest with yourself on how much you can do. Do not attempt more than you can handle.

7. Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable, steps. The more mini-steps you accomplish, the more confidence you will feel about your ability to finish the goal.

8. Take breaks, relax and reward yourself for every task you complete.

9. Enlist the help of a family member, co-worker or friend. Ask them to gently remind you if they see you procrastinating.

10. Keep trying, do your best and don't give up. It takes time to develop a new habit.