1. Give it Five (or Ten)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

With this tactic, the objective is to spend five or ten minutes doing the task that you\u2019ve been avoiding. The logic is that you can endure five minutes of anything. And five minutes out of your day doesn\u2019t impact much else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set yourself up for success by making a list of difficult things you have done or situations you\u2019ve gotten through in five or 10 minutes. Start each sentence with, \u201cIf I can _______ for 5 minutes, I can (insert task action) for 5 minutes. Repeat these to yourself as often as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been avoiding cleaning off your desk, spend five minutes on the task. That\u2019s it. When the five minutes is up, you are free and clear to stop working on the task. Of course, most often, once you get into doing something, you are able to continue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll probably finish cleaning off that desk.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Reward Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This tactic doesn\u2019t work for everyone or every task. However, it is largely successful for most and it\u2019s definitely worth a try. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at the task or project you\u2019re avoiding and create a motivating reward. For example, if you\u2019re procrastinating on writing a business plan you might reward yourself with a new piece of office furniture, business cards, or you might reward yourself with a day off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you delaying starting that exercise program? Reward yourself with a new fitness outfit after two weeks of exercising regularly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Find Your Why<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why are you procrastinating? There is often an underlying reason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure, maybe you just don\u2019t like doing the task. But maybe there is another, deeper, reason behind your procrastination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a writer may procrastinate on the last chapter of their book because they\u2019re afraid of feedback, rejection from editors, or the revision process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dig deep and try to figure out why you are procrastinating. Then, you\u2019ll be able to face the project head-on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Work on Your Discipline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The truth is that you can benefit from a little more self-discipline. You probably don\u2019t push yourself as much as you might. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t stick to the task, and you give up too easily – not all the time, but probably more than you\u2019d like. So, start working on your self-discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might run for one minute longer or eat one more serving of vegetables. Wake up 15 minutes earlier to make one more phone call each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start learning to push yourself just a little bit harder. It\u2019ll overlap into all areas of your life and you\u2019ll be able to accomplish that project you\u2019ve been dreading and avoiding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Set Realistic Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest reasons that people avoid some projects, goals, or tasks is because they simply expect too much from themselves. They\u2019re unrealistic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common example is the weight loss goal. \u201cI\u2019m going to lose 15 pounds this month,\u201d sounds great on paper. It\u2019s specific and it is time-bound. But is it realistic? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not really. Sure, it\u2019s possible to lose that much in a month but it would require tremendous discipline, a great plan, and no mistakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something that might be more realistic is \u201cI\u2019m going to lose a pound a week by cutting 500 calories out of my diet and walking for 20 minutes a day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes the plan feel more achievable and you\u2019re less likely to procrastinate. When setting goals for yourself, make sure you feel 80-90% confident you can achieve the goals you set for yourself.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Visualize the Completed Task<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Imagine how you\u2019re going to feel when the task is done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will your life be improved? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will you feel? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s a big project or a small one, this tactic works. When you can imagine the outcome, it\u2019s easier to get started on the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Make it Fun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Think about what you can do to make the task fun. Would it be more enjoyable to do it at a coffee shop? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could you listen to your favorite music while you work on the task? Or maybe you can enlist a friend to keep you company or help you out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even the most boring tasks can be more enjoyable with the right approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Positive Mindset Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wipe away all negative thoughts and language around the task you\u2019re procrastinating on. For example, if you catch yourself thinking, \u201cI hate cleaning my desk.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might change that to \u201cI love having a clean desk. I feel more productive and creative when I have a clean desk.\u201d Then, you can focus on what is possible about the task or project and let go of the negativity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Break Up Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Break up large projects you\u2019ve been procrastinating on into smaller bite-sized tasks. Often, we avoid doing some things because we know they\u2019re going to take forever. You control this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, instead of painting the entire house, you might paint one room each month until the project is done.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You get to decide how the project is managed and completed. If you\u2019re procrastinating on a work project, you may not get to decide how it\u2019s managed but you can still break it up into smaller pieces that feel more manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Group Related Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes a task you\u2019re putting off doing is related to other tasks. For example, cleaning your desk and updating your files are two tasks that may overlap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you group similar tasks and projects, it helps you be more productive. It also helps you capitalize on a productive mindset and feel accomplished when you\u2019re finished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One project runs into the next and you are done with that dreaded project before you know it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Look at the tasks and projects you\u2019ve been procrastinating on both in your personal and your professional life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of these ten tactics is sure to help you push through and get the job done. Identify the tactic that may work best for you and enjoy your success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Procrastination doesn\u2019t have to slow you down.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me know in the comments what you’ll try today<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everyone procrastinates on something. It\u2019s important to recognize that you\u2019re not alone, procrastination is normal, and there are tactics you can embrace to get through it. In fact, procrastination is so common that proven tactics have been tested and proven. Here are the ten best ways to overcome procrastination.\u00a0 1. Give it Five (or Ten)… Continue reading 10 Best Ways To Overcome Procrastination<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n