How to Stop Procrastinating

I'll talk about three main causes of procrastination and how to deal with them and some other strategies to just get started.

One cause of procrastination is that you're waiting for the perfect time. You might feel like putting things off because it'd be better if you did them later. Changing to a more now focused mindset takes time, but one quick thing to help with this is preparing everything before you start working. For example get out your notes. Textbook pens and other supplies you need before you start studying.

Something else that makes it difficult to work is that you feel overwhelmed? My favorite way to address this is dividing larger tasks into small parts, so for example make presentation becomes, edit speech, write bullet points, open PowerPoint template and so on. If you still feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to do try the two-minute rule for this strategy. Tell yourself that you only need to work for two minutes, this mindset helps you ease into a workflow. Since two minutes seems easy and manageable, usually after two minutes you'll want to continue, but if not you can move on to two minutes on the next task.

Sometimes you might be procrastinating even while getting stuff done. Because you're putting off harder, but more important tasks by doing easy things. For example you might be reorganizing your closet instead of writing your research paper. Make sure you do the important things first instead of procrastinating productively.

The third and most common cause of  procrastination is that you feel like working will be uncomfortable, so you just want to avoid it. The two-minute rule can be helpful for this problem, because the work is never as painful as you think it is, so just getting started will help. Another strategy for this is to do something that will make you more comfortable. You can play your favorite music, study in a comfortable chair or anything else you like, then you won't feel so miserable at just the thought of working.

Something that can motivate you to get started is visualization. Imagine the best-case scenario, what would happen if you did the work? Then imagine the worst case scenario, the worst possible outcome if you don't do it. This should motivate you to work toward the better result and avoid the negative one.

If These long-term results don't motivate you, short-term rewards are also handy. For example you can give yourself a gummy bear for each chapter that you read. One of my favorite strategies which combines the 2-minute rule and rewards is the Pomodoro method. In this method you work for 25 minutes, and then reward yourself with a 5-minute break.

All these tips can make it easier to get started, but when it comes down to it, you just have to do it. This article is your sign to get started. After you finish this article, close your device and get to work.