Conquering Procrastination: How To Get Things Done

Megan Ioannides

Do you find yourself leaving things to the last minute? Are you always putting off tasks you know are important? Don’t worry! You’re not the only one. There are many reasons we procrastinate — and it’s not solely due to laziness.

Procrastination is a habit. Like all habits, it can be difficult to break once we’re set in our ways.

Why do we procrastinate?

Procrastination is actually a biological response. It’s caused by a fight between our limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. The former part of the brain controls our behavioural and emotional responses to stimuli. The latter controls our abilities to plan and problem-solve. In an attempt to avoid negative emotions, the limbic system delays tasks which inconvenience or cause us stress.

Procrastination: the one thing that everyone has time for.

— Busted Flip Flops (@GrillinChillin9) July 10, 2017

Despite the prefrontal cortex being the most evolved part of our brains, it repeatedly loses this battle. As a result, we end up procrastinating all the time. It can be extremely frustrating to be overcome by this biological phenomenon, especially when it causes us to put off important tasks.

Preventative tips for procrastination

Overcoming the urge to procrastinate does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. However, there are a few tips and tricks which can help to effectively counter the urge to procrastinate.

Make sure you read this now, instead of saving it for later! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist…)

1. Organise yourself

There are a few ways that you can organise the must-do tasks in order to make them more manageable.

Firstly, set deadlines ahead of your deadlines and trick yourself into doing tasks early. This ‘false deadline’ means you’ll be able to get your procrastinating out of the way early. It’s less likely to impact your work as a result.

Secondly, plan out smaller steps of the task to work towards. Staring at one big job can feel overwhelming and send your brain into fight or flight mode. Breaking one difficult project into manageable chunks can make it easier to get things down.

Organising smaller tasks into a longer to-do list also lets you tick things off the list more regularly. This provides a motivational boost and helps you feel less overwhelmed.

Once you’ve prepared your to-do list, complete the most difficult parts first. After the most time-consuming or complex tasks are done, finishing the project should feel like a breeze.

2. Alter your workspace

Finding somewhere you can be productive is crucial. Find (or create) a comfortable space with minimal distractions, so you can sit down and crack on.

@motivationalmusee

Mel Robbins explains how to beat procrastination. #melrobbins #procrastination #motivationalvideo #motivationalspeech #paychologytricks

♬ Someone to You – Syamsul

Personally, a public space surrounded by others focussed on their work helps to boost my productivity. Perhaps heading to a library or study cafe might also work for you.

3. Utilise productivity apps

Productivity apps can be wildly beneficial when it comes time to get your head down.

Apps like Flora, where you’re rewarded for not spending time on your phone, help me focus for short bursts of time. Google Calendar or To-Do are also great for organising tasks into smaller chunks.

Setting a timer can also help you focus for short bursts of time. Apps that feature pre-set timers for working and taking breaks can help you organise your time. Have a browse on your app store and try out some free options to see what works for you.

But, if you’re shopping for apps rather than actually starting your work, locking your phone away is a better tactic!

4. Start straight away

The day you receive a task will be the same day you are the most motivated to get it done. You also won’t have forgotten any crucial information yet. Therefore, starting on day one — or at least planning your to-do list — can be beneficial.

Procrastination isn't just avoidance , it's your mind's cry for comfort.

Listen, but then guide it toward courage

— HINDZ (@mistahindz) September 20, 2023

Even if you don’t look at the project for another few days, you’ll feel much better for having started. I find bullet-pointing my initial ideas makes the process of starting much less daunting.

5. Create rewards for yourself (and stick to them)

Sometimes you need incentives to break old habits. Rewarding yourself after each small task can help you to feel like you’re getting somewhere.

Consider making a hierarchy of rewards, determining what you get based on how long you work for or how much you get done. For example, treat yourself to a small reward after an hour of work and a bigger reward after six hours. They don’t need to be extravagant — they’re simply there to remind you that you’re doing a good job.

6. Recognise your procrastination and be kind to yourself

Take a moment to observe your not-so-productive habits and realise that they won’t magically vanish overnight.

Breaking habits takes time and that’s okay. As long as you recognise what areas require improvement and make an effort to address them, you’re heading in the right direction.