Blogchatter Half Marathon : Overcoming Procrastination

One day, I felt demotivated and reluctant to work on my assignment. I tried to push myself to work, but I failed miserably. After evaluating my past weeks, I found the reason for my unwillingness.

And can you guess what it was?

Let me tell you the reason was procrastination. I am not saying I solved it for once and all. But, at least for that particular phase, after figuring it out, I created a fresh plan to continue where I left off and restricted it with a deadline. In this way, I could achieve my goal. I am talking about my latest book, "Spilled It Again."

I started working on it in mid-February and felt it had been pending for ages. Finally, after much struggle with my inner self, physical health, and emotional barriers, I stand high with the launch of my book.

Are you wondering why am I telling you all this? So, let me inform you that to write this blog, I had to have an experience where I overcame procrastination and fulfilled my dreams.

How to Overcome Procrastination?

Procrastination is delaying a task that needs your attention for accomplishment, even when you know postponing will reduce your productivity. It is like that friend who stabbed you in your back. For whom you still never miss a chance to entertain when he is around.

Following are the ways that helped me overcome procrastination:

1. Divide Your Tasks Into Smaller Phases

When I started working on my manuscript, it was going well. One day, I started losing interest in doing the same thing every day. Why did it happen? My plan was weak, and I was not meeting deadlines. So, it gave me the loopholes in my strategy.

First, I made a plan with over-expectation. 

Second, I did not break my tasks into pieces.

This experience taught me one of the reasons for procrastination, viz., not dividing your tasks into small fragments or sub-tasks. So, if you find it challenging to finish your assignments, try to break them into parts to achieve them within your set deadlines.

2. Stay Organized

It is a priority for me. A cluttered workspace will give you opportunities for cleaning and not a focused and productive environment. When you work, ensure to keep your desk neat and clean. If you find things randomly lying in your work surroundings, it will distract you.

I remember when I was not keeping while writing Spilled It Again, my work desk and my room appeared scattered. I would feel frustrated and uneasy seeing everything here and there. I used to find excuses to work in such an atmosphere.

3. Eliminate Distractions

Distractions play a vital role in procrastination. With the latest technologies, you add distractions to your daily life, one such culprit that comes with a set of culprits in your mobile phone. It offers access to social media applications, and you kill all your time.

I remember when Meta launched Threads. It felt like I would require a person to manage my social media. Juggling between each application took all the attention and productive period. After a few days, I stopped using a new add-on in the name of Social Media.

With time, I started creating a distance between my workplace and my mobile phone. It did wonders. So, to overcome procrastination, keep away all the distractions.

4. Precisely Create Goals

Never try to over-achieve. You also have 24 hours like everyone else. So, it is necessary to plan your goals precisely to avoid a lack of motivation for failing. 

If you set clear goals and know what you wish to achieve, you will not entertain procrastination because you will indulge in your assignment. I had an objective to publish Spilled It Again at the end of this year, but it became the reason for my procrastination in completing the manuscript.

How I overcame this? I found my clear goal. And it was to launch my book on my birthday. After completing the manuscript, I sent it for review with the publication house, anticipating that it would take 1.5-2 months for the whole publishing process if it gets selected. But destiny has other plans, and the process went in a flow to get completed in around a month.

What next, I decided to make it live beforehand and let it excel in the reader's mind. So, with this, I learned by setting clear goals, you can fulfill your dreams before time instead of getting delayed due to procrastination.

5. Set Deadlines

Setting deadlines is necessary to avoid procrastination. But there is one thing to keep in mind. The timelines should be within reach and not over-expected. By this, you finish your sub-tasks in time. Consequently, you complete your task within the set deadline.

Final Words

Procrastination is not dangerous until you let it affect your personal, professional, emotional, and social growth and well-being. It may appear challenging to get out of it, but I bet that by trying, you will excel and achieve your goals.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your notebook and pen to define your goals and set deadlines.

"If you procrastinate, delay is what you reciprocate."

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023