How To Beat Procrastination for Good
By: Liz Huber
Tags: Self Improvement, Productivity, Work, Self, Procrastination

Step 2: Fix the Underlying Issue

After you have analyzed yourself, you should be able to identify patterns in your procrastination behavior. The next step is to fix the biggest underlying problem (aka the reason why you are procrastinating). If you have multiple big reasons, start with fixing the biggest one first and then deal with the others one by one.

Here are some strategies you can try to fix potential underlying issues. But be aware: only you can know the real reason why you are procrastinating and find the best strategy to deal with it.

Setting expectations and goals too high:

Break down your goal into doable milestones and make a proper action and time plan. Be careful with your time estimations as things will always take longer than you initially think. Focus on one step at a time without obsessing too much about your overwhelming goal as a whole.

Perfectionism

The key to keeping perfectionism from severely impacting your productivity is to develop an awareness of when you are going overboard. Before starting a project, define how doing it right 100% and 80% will look like. Then, when you are sensing you’re getting into perfectionism mode, ask yourself “is obsessing about this important in the grand scheme of things? Is this contributing to making progress on the 80% or is it about the last 20%?”. Then, take a deep breath, remind yourself that “done is better than perfect,” and move on. If your perfectionism is keeping you from getting started in the first place, tell yourself “I start with where I am and what I have.” Trust that you have prepared enough and are ready to execute.

Lack of purpose:

Two options: 1) Don’t do it and focus on the things that are actually more important in your life or 2) Find a strong enough reason why you want to do it (for example: because it makes your mum happy or it builds relationships that you can later build on).

Fear (of failure, success, judgment, or the unknown):

There are different strategies for different fears, but what usually works very well are the following fear-busting strategies:

Get clear about what exactly you are afraid of : Imagine the worst case scenario, realize that it is not that bad and make a contingency plan for what to do if it actually happens.

: Imagine the worst case scenario, realize that it is not that bad and make a contingency plan for what to do if it actually happens. Practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, and journaling to calm down pointless worrying and overthinking.

through meditation, yoga, and journaling to calm down pointless worrying and overthinking. Make it a habit to go out of your comfort zone: The more steps you take towards the things you are afraid of, the more your fear will turn into confidence and catapult you forward.

The more steps you take towards the things you are afraid of, the more your fear will turn into confidence and catapult you forward. Develop a deep trust in god/the universe. Trust that you are on the right path, that you are being guided every step of the way, and that everything that is happening is for your ultimate good.

Bad time management and self-organization.

Structure your day by scheduling everything into your calendar — even your commute, grocery shopping, cooking, and free time. This forces you to estimate the time that things will take as well as set actual priorities in your day. To push yourself, impose artificial deadlines and gamify the process by giving yourself rewards or punishing yourself for not meeting your goals. If that doesn’t work, get an accountability partner. Even better: give him control over the punishment (like donating a significant amount of money to a cause you absolutely don’t support or coloring your hair blue).