5 Proven Tips on How To Stop Procrastination

Here are 5 Proven Tips on How To Stop Procrastination. It is time to avoid procrastinating and start getting things done. Follow these simple tips.

We all have a lot of plans in our life be it for our studies or work. Then again, our plans keep on getting delayed because we can do it later. We always believe that there is tomorrow for us to keep pushing back our homework, assignment, and tasks. Here are 5 tips on how to stop procrastination before it totally ruins our life. Don't forget that procrastination is the wickedest devil in each and every one of us.

Are you trapped in a "Procrastination Cycle"?

It is a shame that we are getting too complacent with our life. We allow ourselves to procrastinate because we believe our excuses are valid. We tell ourselves that our plans are brilliant but we can always do it later or when a better timing arrives. Ring any bell? Obviously, procrastination is the thief of time, and in fact, it is doing one heck of a great job-robbing us of our life! It is time for us to kick this wicked devil out of our minds. Let us learn how to beat procrastination!

5 Tips on How To Stop Procrastination

1. Visual Your Final Outcome

One of the ways to stop procrastination is to visual your final outcome. Knowing what you will accomplish once your task is completed can be quite a boost for you to do it ASAP. Positive outcomes will be a great motivator to push you forward. Imagine if you get to play your favourite games or binge-watch your TV series once you complete your long-overdue assignment. In other words, you are dangling a carrot right before your eyes.

2. Divide Into Mini Tasks

Sometimes the thought of starting or continuing an assignment or project can be quite daunting. Write a "10,000 words essay" assignment can be too intimidating that you do not even want to start. However, if you were to break this project into several different parts, it would be more manageable. Start with the introduction by writing a general statement followed by a more focused elaboration and then finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.

Divide and conquer your mini tasks

Repeat these by breaking your assignment into tasks and tasks into activities aka "mini-tasks". By dividing your project into different mini-tasks, you will realize that it is not as scary as it turns out to be. Moreover, you can see and track your progress more easily too when you break your projects into different, smaller parts. Hence you can avoid procrastination by diving something big into mini tasks that will appear to be easier to handle.

3. Reward Yourself Suitably

Although experts have warned that we should exercise delayed gratification, adequate and suitable rewards can be quite a motivator as well. Similar to tip no. 1, you should reward yourself when you have accomplished your project, assignment, or homework. However, I also believe you should get "mini rewards" from time to time when you have completed a mini task. I see these mini rewards as pit stops that you have unlocked to spur you on. So start giving yourself a pat on the back from time to time!

4. It is OK to be Imperfect

Another tip on how to stop procrastination is to stop being perfect. You will be surprised to know that a lot of those who procrastinate are perfectionists. Their pursuits for perfect outcomes have actually hindered progress and even brought everything to a standstill. Know that some attempt is actually better than no progress at all. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that the completion of a project merits even more than an incomplete one.  Would you rather get a score of 80% or 0%? As long as you do your best and try to be excellent, it does not matter if the end result is far from perfect.

5. Delegate & Outsource Your Work

Everyone has a limit and it is OK to not be able to do everything on your own. As long as you are not dealing with an individual assignment (such as personal homework etc.), it is highly recommended that you delegate your tasks. If you are a group leader, delegate the mundane, peripheral tasks for your team members to follow up while you focus on more pressing matters. Doing so shows that you are a great leader who knows how to make good use of the company's resources and assets. Learn to work as a team.

One of the main reasons why we procrastinate is because we are overwhelmed by too many tasks that impede the progress of the project as a whole. So when you start to delegate and outsource, you are actually allowing the experts in a particular field to fulfill their respective roles and at the same time giving them the opportunities to shine. Hire a programmer, a graphic designer, and even a content specialist for your company's website while you focus on the marketing part. Remember that delegation and outsourcing is one of the best tips on how to stop procrastination.

There you have it folks, several proven ways on how to not procrastinate. More often than not, those who procrastinate have amazing ideas and plans; The only thing that is holding them back is procrastination. By following these 5 effective tips on how to stop procrastination, you can definitely complete all your homework, projects, assignments before the due dates or any oppressive deadlines. Start to improve yourself and begin somewhere; Eventually, you will no longer procrastinate.

Images credit: Shutterstock