‘Maybe, I will just do it tomorrow or some other time.’

How many times have you told this to yourself? Perhaps, a lot! Hats off to those who are able to easily evade this thought... because most of us have a hard time dealing with this persistent habit of procrastination.

From students to working professionals, there are many who face the tempting urge to delay doing the work in hand, even if it is something important and consequential. If you are someone who keeps stalling your academic assignments or work projects, you have landed at the right place. Here, we will talk about some effective ways of overcoming procrastination that can make you achieve a lot in life that you had been missing --

You can make a to-do list and prioritize tasks

It is normal to feel overwhelmed and scared when you have a large number of tasks to complete. At times, we get so stressed that we feel like avoiding it altogether. But by putting them on a paper in the order of priority, you can plan to execute them in an organized way. Whenever you are feeling too bored and lazy to complete your work, just pick up your to-do list and get going. Also, try completing the most important and difficult task first, so that you can eliminate the main burden and smoothly glide onto the lighter ones.

Break down tasks into smaller ones

As already mentioned, it can get a little demotivating to look at a huge mounting pile of work. You feel irritated thinking that you have so much to do and end up doing nothing at all. The next time this happens, try dividing your tasks or breaking them down into smaller and more achievable tasks. For instance, if you have to complete your dissertation, divide the work into – research, writing, collecting images and so on. This way, the work will seem easier and procrastination will not become an obstacle in your way.

Steer clear of distractions

No matter how strong the urge is to check your social media account, you have to stop yourself from doing that. Nowadays, we spend hours scrolling through our social media account, which not only wastes our time but also affects our productivity and efficiency. In order to stop procrastinating, you need to avoid all kinds of distractions – be it watching television, chatting or talking over the phone with your friend. Even if you want to complete your work, such distractions can easily pull you down.

Think about the larger goal

Whenever you don’t feel like working, remind yourself about the goal that completing the task in hand will eventually make you achieve. Remember that the task is just a means to an end -- that is the larger goal that you had dreamt of achieving. You can visualize the positive outcome of it and imagine how good it will feel once you complete the task. Basically, focus on the results that finishing the task will yield and how great that will be for your academic or professional life.

Change your environment

When it comes to getting work done, the kind of place where you work also makes a difference. It is said that rooms with higher ceilings and cool-colored walls facilitate productivity. It is also important that you create a good workspace where you feel like working and where there is uninterrupted silence. This way, you can set the mood and put yourself in the right frame of mind to be able to start working. You can also try listening to some music while working. It works well for many people.

Set a deadline and build a reward program

In the absence of a deadline, there is no sense of urgency to get things done which might lead to procrastination. You can set your own deadline to put a timer on your work. And even if you have a deadline that has been fixed by your boss or professor, you can still set your own deadline. It can be a little earlier than the one that has been given to you so that you can get things done on time and there is no panicking at the last minute. You can get work done faster when you have a deadline.

Nothing encourages us more to work than the prospect of getting a reward. So it becomes important to give yourself some incentive. A reward system can prove to be very alluring. You can reward yourself every time you complete a task. This way you will stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals.

Harness your fear

Even while procrastinating, we all have a fear in mind – what if I am not able to complete the work on time? But we tend to ignore it by getting mired in excuses and a laid back attitude. Instead of doing this, it is better to bring fear into play by harnessing it in your favor. Think about how you will feel if the work does not get completed, the negative impact of it on your life and the larger consequences of your continued inaction. Be brave and honest with yourself.

Motivate yourself

You can give yourself a pep talk before getting down to work. This can do wonders for many. Self-talking is actually a great way to calm yourself down. To feel inspired, you can read a few good articles or watch some positive videos. You can keep yourself motivated by thinking about your plans and dreams. This can give you the much-needed boost and get you going.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are those of the authors' and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this publishing house