This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
We all know what it’s like to procrastinate. We’ve all had schoolwork, chores, or work stuff that we’ve kept putting off. This is especially true when it’s something particularly difficult or challenging.
Here’s the problem, though. It is much harder to maintain a happy, relaxed life and also attain success if you procrastinate too much.
So, stop and consider if you have maybe been putting too many things off until tomorrow. (In fact, procrastination, from Latin, actually means “for tomorrow.”)
This article will help you understand if you’ve been procrastinating too much as well as what you can do to start overcoming this bad habit today.
Are You Procrastinating Too Much?
If you’ve found your way to this article, chances may be that you have some concern about how much you are procrastinating. And perhaps you are even procrastinating to the point that it is negatively affecting your mental health.
Why might this be the case? Well, there are a lot of reasons. You may have good reasons for having trouble staying motivated, like mental health issues. Or perhaps you’re naturally a little bit lazy. Whatever the reason, excessive procrastination can keep you from being successful and also from being a good friend, family member, partner, roommate, etc.
Luckily for you, there are many useful resources online that can help you better understand procrastination, like those available through BetterHelp.
How Do I Overcome Procrastination?
Now, let’s examine how you can overcome procrastination, because it’s definitely possible!
Here are four helpful tips that you can start implementing right away to feel more productive and, by extension, less stressed.
Give Yourself a Break (Literally)
Is your schedule overloaded? Taking on too much is an easy way to feel overwhelmed. And oftentimes when we feel overwhelmed, we become paralyzed and end up not getting anything done.
Mix things up by scheduling yourself little breaks and ensuring that you’re not taking on more than you can handle. You should be able to check things off a to-do list each day, which will help keep you motivated to keep going and give you a sense of accomplishment.
Rethink that To-Do List
Just about everyone has made some kind of to-do list at one point or another. That’s not the hard part, however.
What’s really important is how you set up your list. Follow the following “do’s” to ensure that you set yourself up for success:
- Do put the biggest, hardest task(s) at the start. This way you avoid being too tired to get to them later in the day.
- Do be specific. The more precise your to-do list, the more likely you’ll be able to quickly and effectively get through your tasks.
- Do break things up into small chunks. It’s much easier to take things one-by-one than facing a gigantic task.
Finally, be sure to cross off each task as you complete it. You’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment as you check things off.
Consider the Potential Consequences
It’s normal to procrastinate some. But doing so too much can lead to disaster fast!
If you focus on the potential negative consequences of your procrastination, however, or reflect on past examples where it’s hurt you, this can help motivate you to stay on schedule.
Self-Care
Lastly, embrace a little self-care and kindness to yourself. Your day should not be going 100% non-stop from sunup to sundown. Make sure that you permit yourself little breaks here and there and also reward yourself for staying on schedule.
For example, you can plan on taking mini-breaks after each task (like a short YouTube video, or stretching, or deep breathing). You should also plan on leaving yourself something nice to look forward to at the end of the day. Doing this will help keep you on schedule because you set up positive reinforcement.
Conclusion
Procrastinating can become a bad habit. It can quickly spiral out of control as you feel like you just can’t do anything as there’s far too much.
If you follow the above tips, however, you’ll be in a good position to beat your procrastination and start being less stressed and more successful!
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