There are simple habits you can form that will help you to get the upper hand on procrastination. Here are 7 ways to tap into your emotions to beat the urge to procrastinate. We have all been there: You should be working on a project but it feels impossible to shut out distractions. Next thing you know, you’ve lost most of the afternoon.
Tie the task to a larger goal you are passionate about
You are quicker to get to work on a project when you have a positive emotional charge around the outcome
Start with the Easiest Part First
The most difficult step in completing a task is to get started
Set up rewards along the way
Before you start to knock something off your to-do list, set yourself up with a system of rewards
- After you have done your work, savor the reward and remember how good and satisfying it felt for the next time you have to get into doing work that emotionally you would rather avoid
Break it down into small chunks
The task will seem less daunting if we tell ourselves that we are going to only spend five minutes working on it.
- Once we are into the actual work, we find that it is easier to continue to focus than to come back to it later.
Work on overcoming perfectionism
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress
Manage your distractions before you start
Think about what may throw you off track before you begin to work, and put a hold on any and everyone that could potentially disrupt your focus.
Self-awareness of what environments you work best in
One size does not fit all when it comes to the best environment for you
