Overcoming Procrastination: Five Methods That Really Work

We’ve all been there before. You’re staring at a blank document on your computer screen or a blank sheet of paper, and you just can’t seem to make yourself start. The task ahead of you seems insurmountable, and you can’t imagine how you’ll ever get it done. If this sounds familiar, then you’re probably struggling with procrastination.

Procrastination is a common problem, but it’s one that you can overcome with the right methods. In this blog post, we’ll explore five different methods that can help you get past your procrastination and get started on your task at hand. So let’s get started!

Break Your Task Into Smaller Pieces

One of the main reasons why people procrastinate is because they feel overwhelmed by the task at hand. If you’re staring at a blank document and trying to write an entire research paper, it’s no wonder that you don’t want to start! But if you break your task down into smaller pieces, it will seem much more manageable.

Start by making a list of everything that needs to be done in order to complete your task. Then, tackle each item on the list one at a time. For example, if you’re writing a research paper, your list might look something like this:

Choose a topic
Do background research
Develop a thesis statement
Outline your paper
Write your introduction
Write your body paragraphs
Write your conclusion
Edit and proofread your paper

As you can see, each item on the list is a smaller task that can be completed relatively easily. And once you’ve completed all of the tasks on the list, you’ll have finished your research paper!

Set a Time Limit

Another reason why people procrastinate is that they have too much time to complete a task. When there’s no urgency, it’s easy to put off getting started. One way to overcome this is to set a time limit for yourself. Tell yourself that you only have one hour to complete the task, for example. Once you start working, you’ll likely find that the time goes by more quickly than you thought and that you’re able to focus better when there’s a sense of urgency.

Find an Accountability Partner

It can be helpful to have someone else holding you accountable for completing your task. This could be a friend, family member, coworker, or even just an online forum where other people are working on similar tasks. Knowing that someone else is counting on you to finish will help motivate you to actually get started!

Set Concrete Goals

Vague goals are often easier to procrastinate on than specific ones. If your goal is simply “to write a research paper,” it’s easy to find excuses not to start. But if your goal is “to write a 10-page research paper on the history of the American Revolution,” then it’s much easier to buckle down and get started because you know exactly what needs to be done.

Get Rid of Distractions

It can be difficult to start working if there are distractions around you. If possible, try to find a quiet place where you can work without being interrupted (this may mean working early in the morning before everyone else wakes up or late at night after everyone has gone to bed). Turn off your phone and any other devices that might cause distractions, and close any open tabs on your computer except for the one related to the task at hand. By eliminating distractions, you can give yourself the best possible chance of staying focused and getting started on your work.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with procrastination, know that you’re not alone! The good news is that there are plenty of methods out there that can help you overcome this common obstacle and get started on your task at hand. Try out some of the methods listed above and see which ones work best for you; with a little bit of effort, anyone can overcome procrastination and achieve their goals!