Everybody tends to procrastinate every once in a while, and it is one of the biggest problems being dealt with in offices and other work environments. APA PyscNet reports that 20% of adults are affected by procrastination, and 94% experience a negative effect on their happiness.
There are a couple of reasons as to why procrastination at work occurs, including the following:
- Vague objectives. Goals should be precisely set to encourage individuals to take action. For example, setting an abstract task such as “write an article” can cause a writer to delay their project. Instead, aim to develop a particular plan such as “write an article about procrastination” to clarify where to begin.
- A course of indecisiveness. Not knowing what to do and where to start can be the cause of procrastination for most people. Make it a habit to create a schedule that you can follow – one that’s easy to track. Keeping a journal can also be helpful in this case.
- Anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. Try to avoid doing too many things at a time, which often leads to anxiety and panic. Most individuals try to avoid feeling overwhelmed, which leads them to stall specific projects. Learn to prioritize and do things one step at a time to avoid procrastination in the workplace.
- Perfectionism. Some people are just too much of a perfectionist that they feel like it’s a must to do everything right the first time around. Allow yourself to make mistakes and go easy on yourself to feel pressured every time you perform a task.
- The “I can do it later” way of thinking. Some people think it’s okay to delay projects since they have enough time to do things later, leading to cramming. Again, prioritization and goal-setting can fix this issue.
- Not enough energy. Some people can feel drained from doing too many tasks, which often leads to procrastination at work.
It is vital to recognize what’s stopping you from turning procrastination into productivity to start battling the problem. In this article, we will discuss how to stop procrastinating and be productive.
Create a Specific List
Make a list of the things that you need to do in a day. Be detailed with it and know which task to do first. Alternatively, you can also go through your list and proceed with the “minor” chores first. Doing this will help you get out of the funk and do something worthwhile even if you’re not a hundred percent up for it.
Here are a couple of practical tips to apply when making your to-do list:
- Use an app, preferably one that allows you to keep track of your tasks. A business process management tool can help you measure your productivity.
- Segregate your lists into different categories.
- Assign due dates and stick with them. Allow one to two days for emergencies and unexpected delays.
- Don’t hesitate to revise your list if needed.
- Be realistic with the number of your delegated tasks and with the deadlines that you provide for yourself.
- Check on your to-do list every once in a while, and tick out the ones you’ve finished.
Being organized will help you feel like you are on top of everything, motivating you to start working.
Determine What the Distractions are and Unplug
Know what’s stopping you from being efficient and eliminating those hindrances to stop procrastination at work. Write down the possible distractions that you are often dealing with and unplug every once in a while. For example, if you find yourself looking at your phone way too much, consider putting it on “Do Not Disturb” mode while working. You can also use one of those productivity apps if you feel like it.
Here are some productivity apps that you can download on your phone:
Reward Yourself for a Job Well Done
You deserve to get rewarded for the tasks that you have completed. Give yourself something that will make you happy for every two or three chores that you’ve accomplished. It doesn’t have to be grand – just make sure it’s something that you like to help lift your spirits.
You can write down the rewards you plan to give yourself to give you further motivation to stop procrastination in the workplace.
Get Inspired
Nothing kills productivity other than not being inspired. Consider making a mood board that you can easily hang up on your wall. Print your favorite places to visit, goals that you want to achieve, plans that you are excited for, pictures of the people and pets that you love – basically anything that makes you happy. You can also use Pinterest if you are more into digital bulletins.
Reminding yourself of the things you are working towards can help you stay on top of your game.
Change Your Environment
If you work from home, then this one is something you should especially consider. Remote work can keep your energy down, and according to CNBC, a change in scenery can help boost productivity and your overall well-being. If you want, you can also adjust your current work environment by doing the following:
- Assign a designated working place – preferably somewhere with natural lighting and enough space to move around.
- Invest in your equipment.
- Be consistent with the time that you start and finish work every day.
- Create memo boards to remind yourself of your tasks.
- Dress up if it makes you feel good.
- Prepare healthy meals.
- Use the right tools, including a business automation application.
Wrapping Up
Now that you are entirely equipped with tips on turning procrastination into productivity, it’s time to get a head start on your projects. It might take a lot of discipline to implement these tips, but you are indeed on your way to stop procrastination at work with the right mindset. Share these ideas with your colleagues and see your numbers and profit go up!