We’ve all been there—staring at a daunting task and feeling paralyzed by the thought of starting. Even the most active and effective people face this challenge, including myself. Although I’m generally energetic, like everyone else, I gravitate towards tasks that come easily. It wasn’t until I started tackling the work I disliked that my life became more manageable. To conquer my procrastination, I had to learn some motivation and productivity hacks.
Productivity Hacks That Work for Me:
Do Very Little: Most of the time, I didn’t start because the work seemed overwhelming. I had to stop looking at the mountain peak and focus on taking one step at a time on the trail. For instance, when I had to write a report, I started by just outlining the first section. Breaking it down made the task less overwhelming.
Accountability: I couldn’t go it alone. I included someone or a group in my tough projects, so someone was “waiting” for me. Knowing that someone else is aware of my progress—or lack thereof—keeps me on track.
Generate “Feeling Like It”: I don’t always jump out of bed excited. But I’ve incorporated things to look forward to in my morning routine to generate motivation. For me, it’s my milk frother. It makes coffee better than anywhere I’ve been. When I need to get out of bed, I picture myself sipping my drink with my book. This small pleasure sets a positive tone for my day.
Small Rewards: If I don’t acknowledge little wins, life feels like a never-ending grind. I don’t throw a party for every small achievement, but I do a little victory dance and say “yay!” It might sound trivial, but it marks an accomplishment. It differentiates today from yesterday and helps me keep going.
Take Showers (Seriously): I can be so determined to focus that I forget about myself. No matter how busy life gets, I make sure to take care of myself. Showers, meditation, eating well, getting outside, moving my body—these aren’t options, they’re necessities. When I don’t neglect them, they fuel my productivity engine. I can’t get things done when I’m not taking care of my mind and body.
Use Fear (Wisely): I’m way more scared of the consequences of not doing my work. I can choose the easy path now, but I know I’m creating a bigger problem later. The fear of having more work later because I neglect something now pushes me to get things done.
Overcoming procrastination is a continuous process. There will be days when the mountain seems insurmountable, and the little victories feel insignificant. But by implementing these strategies and focusing on progress, not perfection, we can build momentum and create a more productive and fulfilling life.
ACTION: Share this article with a friend who also struggles with procrastination. Talking about these struggles and sharing strategies can be a powerful motivator. You might be surprised at how much you can help each other by simply starting a conversation.
