6 Tactics to Overcome Procrastination and Get Things Done

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By
Carson Coffman
Carson is a contributor to Mindset. He is a former Sports Illustrated journalist and defensive coordinator. Carson has a BBA in Business Adminstration and Marketing. He...
12 Min Read
Photo by Magnet.me on Unsplash

Ever find yourself putting off important stuff, even when you know it needs to get done? It happens to everyone. That feeling of being stuck, just thinking about what you should be doing, can be a real drag. But don’t worry, there are simple ways to break free from that cycle. This piece shares 6 Tactics to Overcome Procrastination and Get Things Done, offering practical ideas to help you finally tackle those tasks.

Key Takeaways

  • Break big jobs into tiny, easy-to-start pieces.
  • Tackle your hardest task right at the start of your day.
  • Make sure the good things that come from doing work, or the bad things from not doing it, happen sooner.
  • Ask friends or family to help keep you honest and motivated.
  • Use short, timed work sessions, like the Pomodoro Technique, to stay focused.

1. Break Your Tasks Down and Gamify Them

I’m a big believer in making things easier on myself, and when it comes to procrastination, that means breaking down overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. It’s like, instead of staring at a mountain, I’m just focusing on the next step on the trail. This approach makes even the most daunting projects feel less intimidating.

Here’s how I usually tackle it:

  • First, I identify the big, scary task. Let’s say it’s “write a blog post” (meta, I know!).
  • Then, I break it down into tiny, actionable steps: “Brainstorm ideas,” “Write the introduction,” “Write the first section,” “Find leadership experts,” and so on.
  • Finally, I gamify it! I assign points to each task based on difficulty and time commitment. Completing tasks earns me points, which I can then redeem for rewards. It’s like a little game I play with myself to stay motivated.

For example, if I’m dreading doing laundry, I might break it down into:

  1. Gather all dirty clothes (5 points).
  2. Sort clothes by color (3 points).
  3. Start a load of whites (7 points).
  4. Fold and put away the clean clothes (10 points).

Once I hit a certain number of points, I treat myself to something I enjoy, like watching an episode of my favorite show or grabbing a coffee. It’s amazing how effective this simple system can be in overcoming procrastination and getting things done!

2. Be Kind to Yourself

I’ve found that beating myself up over procrastination only makes it worse. It’s like a vicious cycle: I put something off, then I feel guilty, and then I put it off even more to avoid feeling that guilt. It’s not a productive way to live, trust me. Negative self-talk is a killer when you’re trying to get things done.

Instead, I try to practice some self-compassion. It’s not always easy, but it makes a difference. Here are a few things that help me:

  • Acknowledge my feelings: I try to recognize when I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed and remind myself that it’s okay to feel that way. Research indicates that self-criticism generates stress, which in turn exacerbates procrastination.
  • Challenge negative thoughts: When I start thinking things like “I’m so lazy” or “I’ll never get this done,” I try to reframe those thoughts. Maybe I’m not lazy, maybe I’m just tired and need a break. Maybe I won’t get it all done today, but I can make progress.
  • Focus on progress, not perfection: I try to celebrate small wins and not get bogged down in the idea that everything has to be perfect. Getting something done, even if it’s not perfect, is better than doing nothing at all.
  • Treat myself like a friend: I ask myself, what would I say to a friend who was struggling with procrastination? I try to offer myself the same kindness and understanding.

Being kind to myself doesn’t mean letting myself off the hook completely. It means approaching my tasks with a more positive and supportive mindset, which ultimately makes me more likely to get them done.

3. Do the Hardest Task First

I’ve found that tackling the most challenging task first thing in the morning can be a game-changer. It’s so easy to put off that one thing you’re dreading, whether it’s a looming deadline, a difficult project, or just something you’re not looking forward to. But trust me, getting it out of the way early can set a positive tone for the entire day.

The reason this works is simple: your mind is fresh and you haven’t been bombarded with distractions yet. By knocking out something important before you even check your email, you gain momentum that carries you through the rest of your to-do list. It’s like clearing the biggest hurdle at the start of a race – everything else feels a little easier after that.

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Here’s how I make it work for me:

  • The night before, I write down my top three priorities for the next day. Time management tools can help with this.
  • I make sure the hardest task is at the top of the list.
  • As soon as I sit down to work, before anything else, I dive straight into that task. No coffee, no emails, just focus.

It might sound daunting, but the feeling of accomplishment you get from completing that difficult task first thing in the morning is incredible. It’s a powerful way to boost your productivity and conquer procrastination.

4. Make the Rewards and Consequences More Immediate

It’s easy to put things off when the payoff feels distant, or the negative effects of not doing something are far off in the future. I’ve found that bringing those rewards and consequences into the present can be a game-changer. If I can feel good now about doing something, or feel the sting of not doing it right away, I’m way more likely to get it done.

Here’s how I tackle this:

  • I use temptation bundling. I pair a task I dread with something I enjoy. For example, I only listen to my favorite podcast while I’m doing laundry. This makes laundry feel less like a chore and more like a treat.
  • I set up commitment devices. I tell a friend I’ll have a certain task done by a specific time, and if I don’t, I owe them something – like buying them coffee. The thought of letting them down (and spending money!) is a great motivator. This is especially helpful when dealing with change resistance.
  • I create immediate rewards. After completing a small task, I allow myself a short break to do something I enjoy, like checking social media or playing a quick game. It’s a small reward, but it helps me stay motivated.

5. Enlist Help

It can be tough to go it alone. One of the best ways to make sure I actually get things done is to get help from friends and family. It’s amazing how much easier things become when I’m not trying to do everything myself.

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For example, I can tell a friend or family member about a goal I’m trying to reach and ask them to hold me accountable. This works especially well if I give them something valuable to hold onto until I achieve the goal. It adds a real incentive to get things done!

Another thing I’ve tried is using deadlines to my advantage. If I’m trying to write a blog post every week, I’ll tell my readers that I’m publishing a new post every week. If I don’t post, then my readers will think I’m slacking, and I’ve missed a deadline, which is a great motivator. Plus, I can always use AI chatbots to help organize my thoughts.

Putting some skin in the game and asking others to hold me accountable or setting deadlines really helps me reduce the chances of procrastinating. It’s all about creating a support system that keeps me on track.

6. The Pomodoro Technique

Okay, so the Pomodoro Technique? It might sound fancy, but it’s actually super simple. It’s all about working in focused bursts, followed by short breaks. I’ve found it’s a great way to trick my brain into getting started, especially when I’m facing a task that feels overwhelming. It’s like, “Okay, I only have to focus for 25 minutes, I can do that!”

Here’s how I usually roll with it:

  1. First, I pick one task. Just one. No multitasking allowed. This could be anything from writing a blog post to answering emails. I try to use a productivity application to keep track of my tasks.
  2. Then, I set a timer for 25 minutes. Seriously, use a timer. No cheating! During those 25 minutes, I focus only on that task. No checking social media, no answering texts, nothing.
  3. When the timer goes off, I take a 5-minute break. I get up, stretch, grab a drink, maybe even do a little dance. Anything to get away from my desk and clear my head.
  4. I repeat steps 2 and 3 four times. This is one “pomodoro cycle.” After four cycles, I take a longer break, like 20-30 minutes.

I find that the Pomodoro Technique helps me stay focused and avoid distractions. Plus, those short breaks give me something to look forward to, which makes it easier to power through the work. It’s amazing how much I can get done in those focused 25-minute intervals. It’s a great way to boost effective time management.

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Carson is a contributor to Mindset. He is a former Sports Illustrated journalist and defensive coordinator. Carson has a BBA in Business Adminstration and Marketing. He is an advocate for a growth mindset philosophy.