9 Strategies to Eliminate Procrastination

What can we do to reduce the temptation to procrastinate or work to eliminate it? Here are nine strategies I’ve found work. 

1. Ask yourself the tough questions when you find yourself procrastinating. (I know you have the courage to do this.)
   - Am I making excuses or do I have a real reason to procrastinate? 

   - What am I getting out of procrastinating?

   - How do I feel when I procrastinate? 

   - Am I putting it off because it’s hard?

   - What’s the worst thing that can happen and can I prevent it from happening?
   - If the worst thing happens, what will I do?

   - What are the biggest obstacles in completing this project?

   - How can I overcome the obstacles in my way?

   - Do I delay doing the same things repeatedly?

2. Reframe the activity or change your mindset – for example, I’m working to eliminate the word exercise from my vocabulary and replace it with begin more active. I like the thought of being more active. I enjoy walking and taking classes such as Zumba or water aerobics. If you’re an entrepreneur and are uncomfortable marketing yourself, think about it as sharing what you have to offer.

   Ask for help. If you don’t know how to do something—people are happy to be there to support you, whether it’s cheering you on, helping you learn how to do whatever it is you need to learn, or working alongside you. They will help you if they know you need it. 

3. Work with a trusted friend or accountability partner – my friend and I are going to do weekly check-ins with each to see if we have been more active. We will be supportive. We will not judge if something comes up and we fall behind. However, neither one of us wants to tell the other we didn’t do what we said we were going to do. 

4. Balance your time. If you have to write a paper or work on a project you don’t want to do – set a timer for 15 or 30 minutes. You may be surprised at what you can accomplish in that time. 

5. Set deadlines. Adjust if needed. Refrain from using the acronym ASAP. Yes, it means as soon as possible but does that mean—Right Now! Or as soon as I can possibly get to it? Who’s right? Both! So, talk about deadlines with yourself or your peers. Use a calendar—block time to work on or complete the project and honor your time.

6. Hire a coach.

7. Decide to stop procrastinating.

8. Reward yourself when you do what you want or need to do. Progress – not perfection. 

You got this and I have your back!

Ann