Procrastination is one of our biggest enemies. It is a battle between ourselves and our minds as it urges us to stop doing what we’re doing and keep postponing our tasks. It is a never-ending cycle of “next time” and “I’ll do it later."
Procrastination does not serve us.
We should learn to control ourselves, look forward to our goals, and overcome our procrastination. Not only to finish the tasks we need to complete but also to help us succeed in life. We’ve listed 7 practical and efficient ways to overcome your procrastination and get more things done.
Recognize your Procrastination
The first thing you have to do is to know that you are procrastinating. You have to admit to yourself and realize that you are indeed being lazy and delaying to accomplish a task you need to finish. By acknowledging that you are procrastinating, only then you can control and do something about it.
For some, this is enough. Realizing the reality of the situation can be powerfully motivating.
Find Your Why
After recognizing that you are procrastinating, you can figure out why you're doing it.
Why do you procrastinate?
Why do the tasks overwhelm you?
Why is the task important to finish?
When you’ve answered these questions, it will give you a better understanding of the situation. Maybe you feel overwhelmed. Why you are feeling overwhelmed is necessary in addressing it. It is normal to feel overwhelmed but remember that, ultimately, you do have control.
Products and Applications
With the advanced technology that we have today, there are a lot of available products and applications that can help you finish your tasks on time. May it be online or offline, you can take advantage of your gadgets and make use of them every day.
Applications that can help you remind yourself, virtual planners, calendars, or just a simple notepad can be your best friend in completing your tasks.
Sure, these same tools can distract us and create convenient and even entertaining forms of procrastination. The key is being diligent in their use, and keeping distractions to a minimum. Close that webpage if it's constantly drawing you in. Keep your phone on mute if the notifications keep you from addressing what you need.
List Your Tasks
Using the help of your chosen application, or even a piece of paper, create a list of tasks that need to be done. It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you are comfortable and willing to be accountable for what you write down.
Does that list seem too long? Cross off the least important things and circle the most important. There's no rule that says you can't edit your list, or come up with a second version. Be honest about the tasks that are necessary, and don't just make a list of small things that you can easily do. It's not about the number of tasks you complete, it's about the impact.
Learn to Prioritize
Prioritizing tasks will help you finish them. Start with tasks that are urgent, take small breaks, and work on harder tasks after your break to help your body rest and refresh.
When resting, don’t forget to drink those fluids and have a snack too! Maybe move around, do some kata or shadow boxing. Studies show movement is good not only for the body, but the mind!
Incorporate a Reward System
It's a good idea to reward yourself for your efforts when you accomplish a task or make progress on a larger one. This is a form of self-care and helps you maintain your energy and motivation. The rewards should be reflective of the task you completed - larger rewards for larger goals.
Have a Support System
Lastly, be sure to have a support system. Your support system can be your family, a friend, or anyone who can keep you motivated and accountable. This can help you get through difficult tasks.
Letting people know what you're doing will keep you on track and make it more difficult for you to deviate from your course. This can be a terrific strategy to get rid of procrastination and finish those tasks you have on your to-do list.
How? Send a text, or post on social media. There are likely others in your close circle who would appreciate the same assistance, which can lead to an accountability group. These are very powerful and have been used for years.
Break the Habit, You Can Do It!
After all, it's not that simple to break the procrastination habit. The temptation to put things off can be powerful, especially when there are so many distractions around us. So, we are hoping these 7 steps can be your guide to prevent procrastination and get more things done.
While you may have read this from a professional perspective, it applies to your martial arts training as well. Whether you're preparing for an event, or simply recognize that training on your own is a great way to move forward... putting priority on your needs and goals is exactly the sort of action we should be taking. Good luck, and enjoy!
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