Are you struggling to stop procrastinating?
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To beat procrastination I need my panic monster.
Have you heard of “the panic monster”?
You know the panic monster – who comes alive whenever we, procrastinators go very near to the end of our deadlines.
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We plan a project to do little by little throughout a week or some days, then we procrastinate and we sit down at the eleventh hour and work furiously to finish in any way we can.
We are completely focused then, nobody can stop us from finishing that chapter, blog post or assignment.
It is just you and your panic monster.
We feel immense guilt and we curse ourselves in our mind.
Mind speaking: “You always do this. Why I did not start sooner. It should have been easy if I had done it in time. Oh! God why this happens to me all the time”
And let me tell you this – God has nothing to do with the situation here. It is I, we, and us who do this to ourselves. I procrastinate almost everything.
I know you’re wondering, so how do you beat procrastination? How do you actually stop procrastinating everything?
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How to Beat Procrastination According to the Experts
One day I was binge-watching TED talk videos.
Out of all things procrastinators do, I like to watch one or two or seven TED talk videos.
There I met Tim Urban – Brilliant Guy who gave a presentation about procrastination.
As he described how procrastination mechanism worked, I was stunned.
I told myself, “Oh my god, that guy is right. I am literally procrastinating my whole life away.”
He also explained how our procrastination stays contained when there is a deadline to wake our panic monster.
But where there is no deadline for writing a blog post to publish, building a profitable business, meeting with parents this holiday or starting to eat healthy, our habit of procrastination will cause more damage than we think.
The Truth About Being a Procrastinator
Quoting from Tim Urban’s blog, on why procrastinators procrastinate, “avoid procrastination” is only good advice for a fake procrastinator.”
We cannot just simply just avoid being procrastinator and procrastination is not a very bad thing. Well, sometimes.
As one other TED talk I saw, where Adam Grant held the talk.
There he explained- how there was a sweet spot between pre-crastinators (who does everything before time) and procrastinators (who waits for the deadline).
And in the sweet spot, the “original thinkers” lived. The original thinkers like Leonardo de Vinci, Martin Luther King Jr. (mentioned in the TED talk).
So I am trying to say that if you are a procrastinator do not curse yourself for being like that.
You can manage it and work around it to achieve whatever you want to achieve.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time
Now I will share how to beat procrastination in 4 steps to help you work around the habit of procrastination to actually get things done.
I am not an expert like Tim Urban or Adam Grant, but these 4 tips have actually helped me stop procrastinating so much.
#1. Never Write Your To-Do List on Your Phone
You are a procrastinator, so it is true that you will not do everything on the to-do list.
So why should you bother making a list? If you want to make a list – Do not write them on your laptop or put it in your smartphone apps. If you are a procrastinator you will surely forget to open those things to see what needs to be done that day.
Instead, write them on a paper and post it up.
It does not have to pretty like Pinterest.
Hang it someplace that you will definitely see them. Like in your bedroom, bathroom, on doors or on the front wall of your reading desk. Wall calendar works best for me.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Set Your Priorities
To beat procrastination from winning and taking your success way from you this will be your first step.
So go back to the old times and use paper and pen (if you know where they are – another sarcasm).
#2. Focus on Mini-Goals
If thinking about the future makes your brain hurt, then don’t. Beat procrastination by setting only one goal at a time.
Have a one-goal like, “I am going to write a guest blog post for It’s All You Boo.” Then walk backward and see what you can do today to go slightly closer to your goal.
Make a goal for one week then break it up into bite-size goals.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 15 Best Productivity Tips at Work
Instead of writing “finish blog post today” on your to-do list, write mini-goals like, “research the title” in the morning and schedule “find three main keywords for the post” in the evening. Do not stress yourself out!
Because the more you stress yourself, the more your procrastination psychology will hit you back and turn your attention to YOUTUBE (more sarcasm for you, I’m clearly on fire today).
So what I am saying is that, if you tend to lose focus very often then work around it.
To beat procrastination make a list of “detailed bite-size chores or works” that needs to be done.
But remember one more thing if you do not have a goal in life as a whole then you will be missing a lot of things in life.
Make one big goal and then break it up into tiny pieces.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 6 Simple Secrets to Setting Achievable Goals
#3. Get a Productivity Buddy
Do you ever set big goals that you really want to achieve, but you’re afraid that your procrastination will get in your way?
You can beat procrastination by getting a productivity buddy aka involve your partner, friend or parent if you have to. Anyone who will help you! Even better if you live together so they can call you out when you’re being lazy or slacking. “Hey mom, I really need you to help me get this done.”
Yes, that’s right, you don’t have to do it on your own. A productivity buddy can help you beat your procrastination.
Let’s say you have a difficult project due and you’re worried you can’t actually get it done in time, tell your productivity buddy. It might be hard to open up and admit you need help to beat your procrastination but tell them anyway.
“Hey Productivity Buddy, I have a big project due this Tuesday.”
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Find an Accountability Buddy
Just by telling them, you just wrote it in stone – you’ve set your deadline for yourself. Other than the fact that they will never forget to remind you of your deadline if they catch you being lazy or NOT being productive. It will be hard for you to forget about it.
So to avoid those unacceptable moments with your productivity buddy reminding you to stop procrastinating, you will start working on it.
So moral of the story is that you need a partner in just about any big thing you are worried and passionate about. Involve the people who are around you in setting your goal. Not only do they want to know about your goals, but they want to help.
With them by your side, you will be much likely to achieve your goal and beat procrastination.
#4. Create Your Own Panic Monster
You heard me right, create your own panic monster so that you can beat procrastination.
Let me explain, how it works.
I started a new blog and I need to gain experience guest posting so that I can pitch to big niche authoritative blogs to accept me to write for them. So when I saw some opportunities in a Facebook Blogger Group, I quickly replied to them saying, “I will mail you my post ideas in an hour.”
Notice that I mentioned a time. I did not do this for the blog owner, but I did this for myself.
So that in my mind I created my own panic monster. Sure, nothing would happen to me if I had not emailed the blog’s owner. But, one other thing I do not like is breaking a promise.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Be More Productive and Stop Being Lazy
So, I quickly emailed my ideas to the owner without procrastinating binge-watching Youtube or the latest episode of Supernatural.
Another funny thing to note. I emailed Nadalie aka the fantastic owner of this blog saying that I will submit my post in three days. But I submitted the post on the 4th day.
Now, hey before starting to judging me, I want to explain. I had a good reason. One of my cats was sick and I had to take care of her. It is true, that these things happen.
How You Can Actually Beat Procrastination
You might not succeed all the time but at the end of the day you will see, you have done some work and are making progress to tame your procrastination.
And with lots of practice and good intentions, you will not need to involve your productivity buddy anymore. “Sorry mom, I can do this on my own now!”
If you remember anything, please DO NOT ever curse yourself for being a procrastinator.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Take Action When You Can’t Get Started
But embrace it, as science proves, procrastinators are likely to be more creative than the people who do everything by the book. You are your person.
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Make your person work hard and also have a little fun on the side.
You need to start to move things around because if you keep falling in the trap of procrastination, you will be more likely to become a poor decision-maker and a person who thinks less of his or herself.
You do not have to work 24/7 to make good things happen to you. All you need is to stay focused on one thing and some daily mini-goals to achieve them.
Do not make promises you cannot keep. And fulfill those promises you have promised.
If you want to take something from this post, take this, I wanted to overcome my habit of procrastination, that is why I am taking steps to walk past this.
You can too. Not right away but you will soon.
How do you beat procrastination?
More About Guest Contributor
Last Updated on July 11, 2021
Candy Calderon says
Uyyyyy love all these tips!!! I’m a huge procrastinator and it’s actually one of my goals of this year to change that. Thanks for the info!
Fatama says
Same Pinch. From one procrastinator to another. Do not change it but work around it, it will be easier.
Shelley R King says
I have never been a procrastinator but I also am not a person who likes technology to help keep me organized. I am a writer and write everything down. I keep a calendar of my weeks and months. I have a notepad in my car, on my counter, and on the side of the frig. I have to see it, hold it, write it. The phone is usually everyone’s go to. That is excellent advice!
Fatama says
Awesome. you are like a pre-crastinator , who plans and finishes way before the deadline. Wish I could have your gift sometimes. hmmmmm.
Censie Sawyer says
I am a procrastinator usually – but with my business I am not. Everything else, like laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. I procrastinate BAD!! It isnt good!! But at least I have found a way to keep up with things in my business. These are some great options to try too!
Fatama says
You are a Rockster at work but procrastinator at life. Badass I would say.
Gemille Sleweon says
These are very helpful tips. One of my goals coming into the new year was to work on my procrastination. I’ve already adapted a lot of the tips you listed above.
Fatama says
Awesome. Keep at it.
Vox says
These are some wonderful strategies. Thanks for sharing.
Fatama says
Thank you for the kind words.
Aitza B says
These are really helpful tips. I’ve a recovering procrastinator that stemmed from anxiety. Having a routine and smaller goals truly helped me to manage it.
Fatama says
Start small and finish. Enjoy life.
Sara says
Ugh this is so me (especially when it comes to getting a blog post finished and up online! I totally encourage my children to do their homework the day they get it but don’t get myself on the same track! Off to take my to-d-list off my phone and get it down on paper! Thanks for the tips!
Fatama says
Thanks for sharing. Classics are always best.
Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com says
I really enjoyed reading this post. I love the idea of having a partner. This would be amazing for staying on task.
Fatama says
Yep. It is found that when you have a partner you are more likely finish more work than when you work alone.
Johnny says
Great tips. Having a productivity buddy has done wonders for me. I just started a group where a few friends get together and set our goals for the week. The following week we all meet to see if we reached those goals. It’s been very helpful in having that accountability and setting deadlines.
Fatama says
Nice Going. Thanks for sharing.
Keoshia says
Great post I am a huge procrastinator, I found the best way for me to beat it is to do thing when I first wake up and then I can chill and do nothing later.
Fatama says
Doing things earlier because of the fear of procrastinating. You created you own panic monster. Great.
Victoria says
These are great tips! I’ve also been a big procrastinator in the past, and even to this day I tend to procrastinate. I find that for me to get things done, I need to do them first thing. Also I try not to give myself time to deliberate over things too much!
Fatama says
Thank you for sharing.
Beola Lawal says
Sincerely all these tips are great and it exactly what I need to get myself to stop procrastinating!
Fatama says
Hmm. I know. the tips are for to make sure we are reaching towards our goal.
Amila Wickramarachchi says
I like all these tips. Nowadays I set mini goals which help me to work towards achieving those. I like to write down my goals for the day all the time.
Fatama says
Mini goals are the best. Less things to worry about.
emmanuel damian says
What a great post! I think it’s discipline that we need to instill in ourselves to beat procrastination. Why not start today instead of tomorrow?
Fatama says
We need discipline, but for those like me, who are not always happy to wake up at 6 am and start working, we need some rules of our own that are suitable for us.
Shilpa Bindlish says
This post is an eye-opener and extremely helpful for me. I face serious issues with my self esteem when I can’t accomplish. Big thanks for this motivational write-up.
Fatama says
Thanks for the kind words.
Kelly Reci says
Such a brilliant tips. I really believe that procrastination is a thief of time. Why do this now not later or tomorrow?
Fatama says
“Thief of time”- love the quote. I totally agree.
Jacqui Odell says
Funny I read this today. I have been bad about procrastinating this week. I need to use these tips.
Fatama says
Get Started, then. 🙂
Marissa Zurfluh says
These are such great tips for beating procrastination. I love the keeping your to-do list off your phone!
Fatama says
Thanks for the kind words.
Elizabeth O says
This was a real thought inducing post for me, I am terrible with procrastination but I will try some of these tips to help me focus on my goals more!
Fatama says
You and me buddy. There is a whole world of procrastinators.
Sarah | A Simple and Contented Life says
I used to be such a terrible procrastinator, it held me back so much. Now though I use the 12 Week Year concept and it’s been a total game changer. I write everything down, set myself deadlines and I get so much done!
Fatama says
Thank for sharing. same pinch, went through same experience.
Marie Gizelle says
I can’t identify which of the two I am, I sometimes get things done on time, sometimes I work best under pressure. 😀 I end doing something when the deadline is in 3 hours! lol! Thanks for the tips, especially on not writing to-do list on phone, I always do. 😀
Fatama says
You are a divergent, I guess. Stuck in middle.
By the way thanks for the kind words.
Jennifer | Contentment Questing says
Loved the embedded TED Talks! Very encouraging and your article gave me some much-needed insight into how and why procrastinators operate as they do.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Jennifer,
Me too, they really add context to our procrastination problem. Personally, I call myself a productive procrastinator. I don’t think it’s always a bad thing.
Jane says
I love this post! As the queen of procrastination, I needed to see ways to beat it and start crushing my goals. I absolutely love the idea of creating your own panic monster. That will be my go to get things moving so as to be unstuck. Thank for your advice in this fantastic; post
Nicole says
That’s great tips to get things started and done. 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
So glad you found them helfpul, Nicole!