How can I stop procrastinating?

Do you always find a good excuse to put off tasks until tomorrow? Do you find it hard to finish a project or achieve your goals? This bad habit has a name: procrastination! But what is procrastination? Why do people become procrastinators? How can you get rid of this habit and stop procrastinating? Hife will tell you all about it!

What is procrastination?

Procrastination is the tendency to put off or postpone work. This phenomenon most often applies to tedious or complex tasks. Actions to be performed are usually replaced by secondary, non-urgent occupations or non-work-related activities.

According to a study published by the online survey company Odoxa, 85% of French people procrastinate and 2/3 of them try to fight this behaviour, but to no avail.

What causes procrastination?

One distraction is enough to forget all your good intentions. Contrary to what many people think, procrastination is not laziness. This active process often masks a deeper problem. What's more, putting off a task that needs to be started inevitably leads to feelings of guilt and anxiety. It's the start of a vicious cycle.

This feeling drains your emotional energy and makes you even less able to complete the task in question. You keep putting it off.

The most common reasons are generally related to

o Lack of self-esteem,

o A lack of purpose,

o A constant striving for perfection

o Concentration problems

o Fear of failure, etc.

The lack of pleasure and immediate gratification can also play a role.

7 tips to end procrastination

This bad habit is a source of stress and guilt. Yet you can't seem to stop the process and take action. So how do you stop procrastinating? What are the solutions to live more calmly? Let's take a look at 7 unbeatable tips to get rid of procrastination for good.

#1 Make a to-do list

Start by making a to-do list, and make sure you put it all in one place. This way you can see at a glance what you've done and what you still need to do, so you can plan your days more effectively. When you complete a task, check it off to keep track of your progress - and stay motivated!

To leave nothing to chance, set a deadline for each task. According to Parkinson's Law, "all work eventually takes all the time you give it". In other words, this habit will prevent you from spending 2 hours on a task when you could do it in 30 minutes.

This is an opportunity to identify any over- or under-ambitious task goals. If you need 12 hours to complete all your daily tasks, you risk starting the day unmotivated. It's up to you to decide which tasks can be eliminated, postponed or delegated to someone else.

#2 Clarify your priorities to combat procrastination

A project that fades and gets lost, another that becomes a priority, a team leader who redistributes resources according to last-minute needs... Deadlines change all the time! If you know which tasks are the most important, you'll be better prepared to manage your priorities. To help you prioritise your tasks, use the Eisenhower Matrix:

Clarifying priorities allows you to see exactly which tasks are most important. You avoid working on unnecessary tasks. Instead of feeling like you're wasting time at work, you understand what's at stake and the importance of your role.

#3 Start with the most challenging tasks

It's often at the start of the day that our energy levels are at their highest. So, to stop procrastinating, be strategic! Put the tasks that need the most attention in your diary. And if a task seems difficult, it's probably critical.

Tackle these activities as early as possible, when you're fresh and available. Ideally, prepare your tasks the night before so that you have a clear head the next day. Once you've completed your morning to-do list, you'll be so satisfied that you'll want to keep going!

#4 Find anti-procrastination tips

Productivity doesn't mean multitasking! Quite the opposite. Throwing yourself into multiple activities at the same time will greatly reduce your concentration. So, choose a single task and focus on it until it's 100% done.

To avoid distractions, keep a piece of paper handy at all times. Got an idea for a new project? Forgotten to write down a task? Jot down your thoughts on this sheet of paper before you get back to work. There's no better way to clear your mind.

The Pomodoro technique can help you stay on track. The principle is simple:

- Choose the task you need to complete.

- Set a 25-minute timer and focus on it until the time runs out.

- Take a 5-minute break. Repeat three times.

- Take a longer break of 25 minutes that is unrelated to your work.

Increased concentration, optimal time management, improved productivity, while promoting satisfaction and well-being... The Pomodoro Technique has many benefits.

#5 Limit distractions to beat procrastination

Apps can also help you stay focused and stop procrastinating. Some can block notifications that come into your inbox.

It's also up to you to say no to external pressure. Take the opportunity to make it clear that you want to complete your task as a priority. Solutions such as SaneBox or Forest can disconnect you from your devices in a way that's tailored to your needs.

#6 Evaluate your time management

Time to judge! At the end of the day, make a note of everything you've done and how much time you spent on each activity. RescueTime is your best ally. This tool informs you about:

- The time you've wasted,

- The time you were most productive,

- the obstacles you encountered.

This key information will help you make the necessary adjustments.

#7 Reward yourself

After all the work you've done, you deserve a break! There's no better way to get back on track and finish the day's to-do list. Some procrastination tools, such as Beeminder, work on the basis of rewards and are a great way to increase productivity. Tested and approved by Hife!