Of all the unwholesome habits people indulge in, procrastination remains one that only a very few can claim to have overcome. And although it may not be as frowned upon as other vices, its ramifications are just as unpleasant. Take a look at the shoddily executed projects and substandard products around you, for instance; most of them can be traced, not to laziness or lack of competence, but the tendency of someone—or a group of people—to faff about until there is little time left to accomplish tasks with keen attention to detail.
Overcoming procrastination, though possible, does not come easily to many because the habit is not as glaring as others. For example, while an unwillingness to exert one’s energy in any activity speaks to indolence, a procrastinator could spend their time being productive, while leaving out more important activities that they feel less inclined to engage in.
It takes a great deal of self-awareness, the ability to realize, “gosh— I’m doing it again,” to improve oneself. Aside from this important factor, below are a few other foolproof suggestions on how to overcome procrastination.
Incentivize yourself: Perhaps you’ve been craving a snack or you look forward to watching a movie, you can motivate yourself by holding off on getting the treat until you finish your task.
Get an accountability partner: Mention your commitment to someone you respect enough to oblige. They should also care about you enough to be willing to put the necessary amount of pressure on you whenever you begin to slack.
Avoid distractions: Mobile phones constitute the highest form of distraction and a step as simple as turning your phone on silent mode and facing it down can help avoid this. Televisions and radios are a no-no, and for activities that require the utmost concentration, you can set your workspace to directly face the wall.
Perhaps you have a deadline to submit a business proposal or other professional documents, then reaching out to us here for our expert assistance should be higher on your to-do list than most other tasks. It’s called prioritization, a sure way to beat procrastination and achieve more.
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