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Overcome procrastination according to science

Humans are tormented by procrastination. We always put important tasks for tomorrow. We allow ourselves to get distracted or simply we don’t want to do things.

Procrastination arises due to lack of self control. Also, chronic procrastination can affect the job performance and decrease the level of productivity. While procrastinators think they may be able to avoid stress, on the contrary this approach can cause more stress in the long run. It can also give birth to various health issues and can lead to poor work performance.

Here are some really easy ways which will help you get rid of procrastination. Also, you’ll be less worried and stress free. These will help you in boosting self confidence and making you more effective.

1. Write it out

Write it out

Write all things that you’ve been putting off for tomorrow. Doing this will help you in bringing the important things in front that you can’t ignore. One should always create SMART goals ie Specific,Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Oriented.

On the other hand, create a ‘Not To Do’ list. It’s time to clean up and it is very important to create the list. This will help you in getting rid of all the unnecessary things.

2. Get rid of catastrophizing

Catastrophizing refers to view a situation as considerable worse than it actually is. This is the one big reason of procrastination. This habit makes the task look boring and unbearable. You should be optimistic towards your work and get things done in an easy way.

3. Be prepared for obstacles

Be prepared for obstacles

Be prepared as you’ll be facing challenges and obstacles. Face it and overcome through all the difficulties that occur on you way to success. Focus on dealing with the projects in a shorter deadline that land o your desk. Stay calm and motivated.

“The more obstacles I overcome, the stronger I become” – Gracie Alvarez.

4. Be realistic

Break your projects and set time frame for each one of them. Look for ways that can make your task easier and simpler. For getting close to success, it’s highly recommended to schedule your task and do it right away. This will allow you to spend some time for yourself too! It’s a reality check, so be realistic about the things that you deliver. This will ensure something miraculous comes to you.

5. Don’t make excuses

Don’t make excuses

“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses,” explained American agricultural scientist and inventor, George Washington Carver.

Gone are the days where you make excuses and postpone your work. Stop the habit of making excuses as it will only delay your work and create a burden. People who make these silly excuses are never able to start and complete their work on time, leading to more stress and anxiety.

6. Banish distractions and stress

Don’t try to fool yourself. Keep away the distractions and focus completely on your work. Keep a time journal with yourself to see where your most of the time is being spent. This will help you in getting rid of the unwanted activities and be more productive towards your work. It’s so rightly said that focus comes when you try to eliminate distractions.

As per the survey conducted by Towers Watson, 57 percent of the workers felt less productive at work due to stress. On the other hand 68 percent of people felt that they required more number of hours to complete their daily work. Also, high stress is linked directly to absenteeism. So, never let your stress vandalize you.

7. Stay true to yourself

Stay true to yourself

According to James Clear, your future self sets goals only, and it’s your present self that takes action to get there. So, if you are actively completing all your present tasks, then you surely have a clear future. Just complete your work in set deadlines and you are good to go.

8. Be good to yourself :

Don’t be too hard with yourself. Yes, it’s true that people work better under pressure; but not all, only some. So, notice what wrong you are doing to yourself and stop being judgemental. Calm yourself and ease up so that you can provide better quality work, making your seniors happy.

These are some of tips and hacks that might prevent you to getting plagued due to procrastination. These will help you in getting more confident, productive and less stressed out.

Fantastic-Ways-to-get-things-done

The urgency and attention with which you do things decides the rate at which you grow. Successful people have a way of getting things done, accomplishing more in the same time than other people do.

What is the secret of getting things done? Just do it, as they say.

Fortunately, becoming more productive can make you more successful and improve various aspects of your life. Your progress is measured by what you accomplish not the time spent on the work. Results speak for themselves, but to get the results you need to follow the process.

Here we look at some science backed ways to get things done.

1. Track Done lists

Track Done lists

Define what you want to do in your day and keep track of the things you complete. Measure your progress by what you finish.

Successful people are very good at accomplishing things and finishing them. Your value will increase when you do valuable things.

Tracking your own tasks is a good way to gauge your progress and direction. When you achieve a lot in your day to day work, you cannot be left behind.

2. Plan by hours

If you plan your day by hours, you will be able to utilise it to get things done with more efficiency and control your day.

Successful people achieve more in their day because they plan and execute things better. An hourly break-up of your time will help you make your day more valuable.

3. Focus & Attention

Focus & Attention

How often you’re in control of what you are doing? Most people are struggling to keep their minds stable and focused. When they’re at work, they are unable to focus and concentrate. It leads to mediocrity in whatever you do.

How can you overcome mediocrity? Well, with absolute attention and focused mind. You can start your day with meditation, exercise and calm your mind. It helps you improve focus.

As author Cal Newport says, “You’re judged on what you do best so if you want to have as much success as possible you’re always better off doing fewer things but doing those things better.”

4. Follow the Process

What you do defines you. How well you do it brings greater opportunities for you. It is a simple fact, that you cannot rise doing ordinary things.

Following a simple routine and process to get the best out of yourself. Building great habits, eliminating distractions and loving what you do are things that will never hold you back.

5. Challenge Yourself

Challenge Yourself

When was the last time you tried something new? When did you push yourself to put in little more efforts into what you’re doing? How often do you seek to improve yourself and what you are doing?

Most people get into a mental rut and like to repeat things overtime. They are too scared to try new things, experiment and love the inertia.

How do you break that? Well, by constantly improving yourself to do better, trying new things, keeping yourself up to date with what is going around in your field, and analysing what you are doing.

6. Learn to Work with Others

No one can succeed in isolation. Even the greatest artists, creative people and professionals need to learn to work with others. Very often the difference between whether you succeed or fail is decided by your ability to get along with others.

Forgive people’s mistakes, always offer to help, be kind and never think you’re the center of the universe. Staying humble means you’re always willing to learn from others and look out for ways to improve things.

7. Give Up Skepticism

Give Up Skepticism

By constant skepticism you only hurt yourself in the long run. You can either commit fully or give up, if you stay in between you will always produce mediocre results.

Skepticism saps your energy. Your life is shaped by your strongest beliefs. Either give your best or simply look for something else to do.

8. Eliminate Distractions

Be where you are and do what you do. The quality of work you do suffers when you are constantly interrupted.

When you are constantly dealing with distractions, it takes away your focus from things that really matter. Reduce the number of external stimuli that hamper your focus like social media, smartphone notifications, email, calls etc.

9. Exercise

Exercise

Exercise relaxes, energises and improves your mental as well as physical capacity. It builds endurance and stamina to take on tough challenges.

Studies have shown that our body needs physical activity to unleash energy. When a person becomes physically inactive, he is more prone to depression and mental fatigue. When you stay fit and healthy, you can always make the most of your day.

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8 Ways to Overcome Procrastination according to Science

9 Fantastic Ways You Can Get Things Done