I’ve been putting off writing a blog post on procrastination, but I think it’s about time that I tackle the issue and get on with it!
Procrastination is the age-old art of postponing or delaying, something that everybody is guilty of. Don’t brand yourself as lazy – everybody procrastinates. It can be anything from wasting time on social media to pushing back deadlines.
Procrastination stems from feelings of worry around certain tasks, which creates a voice in the back of your mind suggesting that you should do anything but that all important job you’ve been meaning to get done. Instead, ask yourself why you are putting off a particular task and try to address the issue at its roots.
We all fall victim to procrastination, so it’s only natural to want to track productivity levels across your association or company. Spying is unfortunately off the cards, as nobody likes an intrusive leader. Instead try setting your team goals – these can be carefully monitored to see how productivity levels add up across the board.
Here are Cygnul’s top five tips on how to get over the procrastination hurdle and on with work:
Tell People You’re Busy
Don’t be afraid to tell people that you are busy. It’s easy to procrastinate and create distractions, yet even easier to become distracted by others if you’re not focused on the task at hand. Inform others that you need some time to knuckle down and crack on by blocking out your calendar and putting in the effort.
Think Positively
It’s boring. I don’t have time for this. I’m not sure how to do it. Stop focussing on the negatives of completing the task and try to concentrate on the benefits you will receive once it’s finished. Focus on the weight that will be lifted from your shoulders, the extra time you will have to work on enjoyable tasks, and the accomplishment you will feel. If you’re unsure how to do something, don’t put it off – it’s okay to ask for help.
Avoid Perfectionism
Do you find yourself putting off work because you’re not in the right headspace to complete the task to the level of perfection that you’re used to? Perfectionism can be a major cause of procrastination. It’s easy to get caught in a cycle of stress when tasks are getting neglected because you don’t think that you are capable of doing them. Be mindful of the work that you are doing and approach it step-by-step, taking a methodical approach to get through your to do list.
Deadlines & Milestones
With no clear deadlines for tasks, it can be hard to allocate time to focus. Working with milestones in mind is a useful process to adhere to in any situation. It will help you to prioritise your tasks, create a sense of urgency when needed, and help you keep on track to achieve your goals.
Celebrate
Celebrate the wins! A scroll through your phone every now and then isn’t necessarily procrastination. It’s important to mentally reset between tasks in order to avoid high stress levels and burnout. If you have just finished a long meeting – celebrate with a cup of tea and a biscuit. It’s okay to take 5 minutes to relax every now and then. To read more on how to optimise your working hours, click HERE.
