Procrastination | MindTools

If you are briefly delaying a task for a more important task - then you might not be procrastinating.

However, if you are avoiding a task because of unpleasant feelings and are putting it off indefinitely, then you might be procrastinating.

Procrastination can look like:

- Leaving an item on your To-Do list

- Continuous reviews of written information before responding, sometimes with hours to days in between responses.

- Filling time with unimportant tasks

- Waiting for the 'right time' to do something

Is the task boring or unpleasant?

Do you have doubts about your ability or worried you will fail?

Do you have challenges with knowing what to do or say?

A deeply ingrained pattern of behavior that often cannot be broken overnight.

A habit only stops being a habit once you stop practicing them.

- Forgive yourself for procrastinating in the past

- Commit to the task

- Promise yourself a reward

- Ask someone to check up on you

- Rephrase your internal dialogue

- Minimize distractions

- Keep a to-do list and prioritize the tasks

- Utilize a schedule

- Tackle the hardest tasks at your peak time (when you are most motivated)

- Set yourself time bound goals

- Utilize apps or phone reminders