How many times have you found yourself staring at the same to do list? What is the cost of missing out deadlines for you? Are you disappointed with yourself for not acting fast enough?

Well, you are not alone in trying to wrestle with procrastination. It is a common problem that can lead to stress, missed deadlines, and reduced productivity. So, what can you do to stop procrastination? Here are some tips for you:

1. First, IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAuSE: Understanding why you procrastinate can help you develop strategies to address the problem. Do you have a fear of failure, are you lacking motivation, you don’t know why you have to do what you have to do or feeling overwhelmed? By identifying the underlying cause, you can develop targeted strategies to address it.
2. If you are feeling overwhelmed and do not know where to start, BREAK THE TASKS INTO SMALLER STEPS. Large tasks can be daunting, which can lead to procrastination. Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can make them less intimidating and easier to start.
3. Set specific goals and deadlines: Setting specific goals and deadlines can help you stay focused and motivated. Once you start accomplishing smaller tasks, you would feel good and motivated to do the next big chunk of tasks. Break down larger goals into smaller milestones with clear deadlines to help you stay on track.
4. USE TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: Effective time management is critical to avoiding procrastination. Strategies such as prioritization, scheduling, and time blocking can help you stay focused and make the most of your time. Your calendar can be your best tool so know exactly when and what time you need to do what. Or even a simple to-do list can work. It feels good to strike off to-do items from your list and seeing accomplishments per day.
5. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS: Distractions such as social media, email, and other interruptions can be a significant source of procrastination. It is easy to drift into social media and before you know it, time passed without you accomplishing anything. Minimize distractions by turning off notifications, blocking social media sites, and creating a distraction-free work environment. Block off the time to work on the hardest things without distractions.
6. PRACTICE SELF COMPASSION: Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism when you do procrastinate. Avoid telling yourself ‘You are lazy’, good for nothing or incapable’. Remind yourself ‘you can do this’. Focus on taking action to address the problem and developing strategies to prevent it from happening in the future. Take micro breaks if you need but be mindful of time and get things going.
7. Finally, SEEK SUPPORT. Don’t be afraid to seek support from friends, family, coworkers, or professionals like coaches and psychotherapists. Talking about the problem and getting feedback and support can help you stay motivated and on track. But own your progress. Keep pushing until you have a more productive habit.

Overall, addressing procrastination requires a combination of self-awareness, goal setting, time management strategies, and support from others. By taking steps to address the problem, you can improve your productivity and achieve better results.