Introduction
We’ve been there; it’s a common occurrence of getting caught in the trap of procrastination, which hinders our productivity. As a leader, with so much being thrown at you all the time, overcoming procrastination is a crucial part of your success. I want to explore three ideas to help you break from the cycle, increase your productivity, and achieve your goals.
- Developing Good Habits:
I’ve addressed this in a previous post: the formation of good habits isn’t always easy. However, consistently working on your important tasks daily can be a game changer. Develop a system that works for you, draw inspiration from previous successes, and what worked well for you. Establishing a routine and a clear action plan will make it much easier to break that cycle, get started and maintain momentum.
- “Why”
How do we get motivated when we find it tough or the task at hand seems daunting? It’s important we don’t fixate on the feelings of discomfort we’re experiencing at that moment; more importantly, we need to shift our perspective to the bigger picture. Simon Sinek has done a lot of work on “why.” You should ask yourself why this task is important and how it connects with your goal. Look deeper into yourself and identify the importance of the task and its real purpose; you’ll be able to draw inspiration, overcome your procrastination, and stay on task.
- Small Steps
The metaphor “you can’t eat an elephant all at once” applies here. We know big tasks can be overwhelming, which is where procrastination kicks in. The answer? Breaking your tasks down into bite-sized chunks. Step back and divide your tasks into small, more manageable steps. Doing this makes it less intimidating and evokes a sense of progress along the way. If that seems daunting, break it down into even small steps to get yourself started.
Finally
We know procrastination is a struggle, but it doesn’t have to define your journey. By implementing these strategies, you can defeat procrastination and increase your productivity. Develop good habits and inspiring systems that support your workload, remind yourself of your “why” to keep yourself motivated, and break your tasks into manageable steps. The most important thing to remember, it’s about taking consistent action and not allowing the emotions at that moment to deter you from achieving.