The key to getting rid of procrastination is two-fold: it’s necessary to change your way of thinking and to focus on your goals. While planning your time is necessary to get your work done, a 2015 study by Stockholm University found that time management is often not the trigger for procrastination; often, emotional reasons are the reason for not getting things done. 

If you’ve been putting off tasks towards goals you desire to accomplish, we’re here to help! 

Follow these six steps to get on the path towards overcoming procrastination and slowly but surely attaining your goals, no matter how large or small.

6 Steps to Overcoming Procrastination

Get Aware: Identify the Root Cause 

How we think affects what we do. Some people procrastinate because they fear failure and opt to not try instead of trying and risking failure. Others prefer to work on tasks at the last minute and under stress, which would it make sense to say can cause them more stress? We don’t want it to seem absolute since some people genuinely operate well under pressure without stress can cause them more stress.  

It’s important to identify what’s holding you back from following through on your dreams and goals. Ask yourself:

• What’s triggering your procrastination? 
• What thoughts are you having that are causing you to procrastinate?
• What’s the worst that can happen if you complete the first task? 

Fear and anxiety are common culprits that hold us back. The key to overcoming procrastination is to determine the thoughts you’re having that are causing you to procrastinate and determine in which areas of your life you may be struggling. 

Take the Wheel of Life assessment to help you ascertain where you may be struggling and where you may need to shift your thoughts, energy and focus.  

Then, it’s time to focus on completing manageable tasks towards reaching your goal.

Get Your Calendar Out

Get out your calendar or planner, such as the #ThisIsMyEra planner, and start planning!

Write down all of the tasks you need to get done to complete your goals. Prioritize your to-do list so that high-priority tasks should be at the top of the list. The #ThisIsMyEra planner acts as an all-in-one tool for planning your goals and scheduling your to-do list. It includes step-by-step tips on how to identify and write down your goals, pages for your to-do lists, a daily calendar and space to write down your daily affirmations and reflections on your progress. 

Schedule Your Tasks 

You’re more likely to complete your tasks if you schedule blocks of time to get them done. If possible, it may be most advantageous for you to schedule to work on your tasks early in the morning, when most people are the most productive.

Narrow It Down & Get Started

Choose one task to complete⁠—perhaps a task you’ve been putting off⁠—and make a commitment to complete that task within a week. 

Use your planner to note your progress and write down thoughts, comments and notes on other ideas or tasks that may come up during your work week.

Break It Down

If a task seems overwhelming, it can lead to procrastination. 

Be realistic with what you can get done during a given time to set yourself up for success. Schedule your tasks so that they are manageable and so you can get them done. You’re more likely to stick to your planned program if you are successful with getting your tasks done, one at a time.

Forget About Perfectionism

Perfectionism is overrated! Strive for excellence when working towards your goals and don’t let perfectionism hold you back. 

Reward Yourself

Enjoy the fruits of your labor and reward yourself with some self-indulgent down time only if and when you get the job done. Plan to do something you enjoy⁠—such as dinner with friends, binge watching your favorite TV series, or a night at the movies.

Bottom Line

The key to overcoming procrastination once and for all is to:

• Identify the cause for your procrastination; then,
• Focus on your goals and the tasks you need to complete to reach your goals.

Get out your planner and schedule your task for the week. Reward yourself at the end of the week only if you complete the task you’ve been putting off. 

Continue to plan your to-list and work your way down the list with the help of a tool such as the #ThisIsMyEra planner.

Consider taking a look at these helpful resources for further guidance and tips on mindfulness, being present and how to manage your time and thoughts to reach your goals:

• ThisIsMyEra 90 Day Planner
• Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done by Piers Steel

Don’t give up! Plan your time, focus on your goals and before you know it, you’ll be making progress and working to your full potential, and the success of it will make you unstoppable!