How do you beat procrastination? (Additional question: Do you know why you procrastinate?)

Question

Ionut Ciuta · Accepted Answer

@raghav2 this definitely worked for me as well, at least with Instagram. I had to install the app a few days ago after almost 2 months of not having it and I open it more often than I did with the browser version. I will uninstall it again asap.

Younis Sideeq · Answer

It worked really well for me. I set two deadlines for any task I commit to and I try to meet my first deadline. But at times, procrastination is the best thing as it breeds focus.

Cica-Laure Mbappé · Answer

Procrastination is in my DNA 😅 I usually work better under pressure, so I create my own emergency context to get my work done.

Ankita Arora · Answer

I recently learnt in Atomic Habits 2-minute-rule of procrastination.
Basically, start with doing that task you have been procrastinating for 2 minutes, and slowly increase. You'll see yourself at it in a couple of days.
This is also the reason we procrastinate. We set ourselves big and huge goals, and keep waiting for the big motivation to come.

more: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/01/the-2-minute-rule-how-to-stop-procrastinating-and-start-new-habits.html

Clément Jacquelin · Answer

I try to add deadline to my project. It help me focus and keep going.
And I also love to procrastinate & rest, it's not a bad thing :).

Ionut Ciuta · Answer

@viorica_vanica glad you found it useful!
I don't have a silver bullet for the last category, but I found it helps to:
- tackle them as early as possible in the day when my motivation tank is full
- not overthinking. You know the drill - a lot of talking to yourself, fooling yourself that it may be better if you do it later or the outcome will be substantially different if you postpone it because you have more important things to do etc.
- not think about other people's opinions of me or my output. I try to constantly remind myself that it's not my business what others think about me. I tend to do this when dealing with tasks that make me uncomfortable.

These are all thoughts derived from the "Eat the frog" method:
If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.

Viorica Vanica · Answer

@johnofardeal super valuable that you introspected the last question and shared your experience, I am wondering how you motivate yourself to do the last ones (the ones you don't like doing). Do you allocate a specific part of the day to do them?

Viorica Vanica · Answer

@younissideeq thank you Younis for sharing your experience, I am wondering why do you set up 2 deadlines?

Audrey Rampon · Answer

Hi @viorica_vanica! I usually take 30 minutes on Friday to review my week, and see what the priorities are for the following week. It's also the day when I catch up with my team to discuss achievements, learnings and goals. I've actually written a blog post about this, feel free to have a read (https://www.kosmotime.com/how-to-make-monday-an-easy-day/) Hope that answers your question!

Audrey Rampon · Answer

I block time in my calendar for the important tasks I really need to complete during the day, and commit to it.

Cornelius Luisa · Answer

I do know why I procrastinate...most of the time I avoid doing stuff because of my anxiety. I still haven't found a way to beat it though

Pallavi Jaisinghani · Answer

I'll share an article on procrastination that Walkover had shared for its team members. 
When Is Procrastination A Problem And How You Can Overcome It?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BFj97dtpSG0uDiogav1Xbc0ofo7lSkUdkg0LyCZgJpY/edit

Younis Sideeq · Answer

@viorica_vanica my pleasure. Simple, I try to meet the first deadline (which I set prior to the actual one). Once I meet the first deadline, it gives me ample time to focus on other things until the actual deadline.

Priyanka Mehta · Answer

Put a deadline and track my progress on things I am doing, be that professional or personal. But to be 100% honest, I will take a day off, usually Saturdays, to just relax and do things I like without any deadline.

Viorica Vanica · Answer

@jacquelinclem time-pressure works for me as well, but I found that having someone who keeps me accountable , doesn't put so much pressure and the bonus fact is that I get to have nice conversations every time.

How do you beat procrastination? (Additional question: Do you know why you procrastinate?)

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