Mind and Body

5 strategies to help you beat the procrastination monster

by JoAnna Wendel
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

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Everyone procrastinates sometimes. It’s easier to let our future selves deal with an impending deadline.

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But chronic procrastination can lead to anxiety, chronic stress, and less physical activity.

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Forgive yourself. Procrastination can lead to self-blame, self-loathing, and guilt, further hampering your ability to stay productive.

Here are 5 strategies to help you beat procrastination.

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1. Break down the task into small steps. Instead of thinking of the entire task, ask yourself “if I were to complete this task, what would I do next?”

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2. Commit to a task for just five minutes. Sometimes we procrastinate because we think a task might take a long time, but starting with a small time commitment can help.

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In five minutes, “you're suddenly in the zone and the momentum will push you to continue and eventually finish what you started,” says Willie Greer, founder of The Product Analyst.

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3. Time-block important deadlines, and treat them like meetings. This gives you a distinct time period in which to complete a task.

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4. Get an accountability buddy. Ask a friend or co-worker to gently pressure you into completing a task (and return the favor!)

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5. If you’re procrastinating on making a decision, limit the time you review options. It’s always good to understand options, but over-reviewing each option can itself be a form of procrastination.

Now go forth and get sh** done!

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