Procrastination is when you constantly put things off until the last minute, and if you don’t get to grips with procrastination, it could affect your working life and prevent you from achieving success. There are many reasons why people procrastinate. It could be that you are suffering with mental health issues that prevent you from getting work done, or you may be worried that you won’t do your work well enough. If you have a busy social life, it may be that you are simply too busy to complete your tasks. It is less likely that you will procrastinate if working full time in an office. However, if you work remotely, or you are self employed, this can often be an issue. These are some tips to help you get back on track and to find your motivation for work.
Admit the Problem
One of the best ways to deal with procrastination is to admit you are doing it. Some people believe they are workaholics, but in reality, they don’t achieve much in a day. If in doubt, monitor how long you spend on actual work, versus time on your phone, social media etc. You will probably be surprised by the results. If you are spending less time on work and more time on other tasks – you are procrastinating.
Write a To-Do List
If you have a demanding job with a heavy workload, it may seem completely unmanageable and this can lead to procrastination. You will literally do anything to avoid the work. This is where the good old to-do list comes in handy. Every morning, write down the main tasks that you want to achieve for the day. Achieving a short list of tasks is much better than achieving nothing at all. You can always add more to the list as your motivation improves.
Set Deadlines
Make sure you have deadlines set for your all your tasks, so you prioritise them correctly. It will help you create your daily to-do list, and will help ensure you don’t miss anything important. Procrastination, particularly if it’s down to your mental health, can make everything feel like an uphill challenge. Understanding your priorities can help reduce stress levels.
Work at the Right Time
Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to work when they want, but if you have some level of freedom in your job, it is a good idea to work when you feel most productive. If you are bright and chirpy in the morning, this is the best time to get your most challenging (or dreaded) tasks out the way. However, if you are a night owl, you may want to wait until later in the day to tackle these.
Reduce Distractions
If you are prone to procrastination, you will probably be very easily distracted. In this case, its worth removing any potential distractions. For instance, if you find that hours dwindle away when you browse social media, you may want to save this for your lunch hour or when you finish for the day. If you work in a noisy house, you may want to find a quiet space for a few hours to get your work done.
When you reduce procrastination, you can achieve more in your working day and enjoy greater success in your career. If you are looking to improve your career prospects, the first step is to ensure you have the best possible CV. At Inspired CVs, our experienced professionals will create a high quality CV to help you find your next job. You can contact us or order directly and we will arrange an initial consultation.
