How many times did we sit down, made a nice long list of our tasks of the day and ended up not doing anything? It happens frequently, especially when we are not in the mood of studying, or cleaning up, or getting out of bed…It is the widely known state of procrastination. It hits at the most inappropriate times and causes such stress and confusion, that for most people, tasks just pile up and become overwhelming. The truth is that procrastination, like all problems, has solutions based mostly on our determination to get out of the chaos of unfinished business. Let’s go through some facts to slowly untangle this messy state of living!
You will most likely never feel fully determined to get the job done! It is highly unlikely to just wake up one morning and decide to go through five long piles of paperwork. Waiting for the perfect moment is basically number one factor of delaying your tasks, so my best advice is to just start with tiny steps. It is better to get something done divided into sections, than to go for it when it has become impossible to handle. You can set your timer for 20 minutes and just start doing what you must do. Or pick a task that will not take much time, like cleaning one part of your closet. Once you start, you are also more likely to continue for a longer period of time!
Disconnect! Especially during the pandemic, we find ourselves glued to our phones, scrolling mindlessly through social media, while one assignment is due after the other and unwashed dishes form a castle. Find the determination to disconnect for a few hours and get some stuff done without interferences! We tend to get more tasks done when we don’t multitask and when distractions are out of the picture. Of course, that goes for anything that might be stopping you from working. It could be chatting online, playing with your cat, or choosing to doodle on the notebook instead of listening to your lecturer. Get in the habit of understanding what causes your procrastination to stop it.
Fear is a ridiculous excuse. There are times when the task is scary big, important, and new. You don’t know how to handle it and end up fearing the idea of even messing with it! I’ve been there, but you know, it can’t be that intimidating after you start working on it for a little while. Don’t put yourself down and work your way around starting from somewhere. Get some help from people who might be familiar with your task, and most importantly believe that you can get it done! It all starts from our beliefs, don’t forget that. (For more information on the topic of self-beliefs take a look at my article ‘A shift of perspective’ https://tambook.gr/talk-english-to-me/a-shift-of-perspective/ )
‘It always seems impossible until it is done’
-Nelson Mandela
Make a plan. If you are anything like me and hate leaving everything for the last moment, I got you! Find a notebook or calendar and plan out your day or even week. In that way you will be alert for important due dates, tasks that require more time and you will most likely feel less stressed and overwhelmed. Seeing everything noted down is like the first step towards finishing them, so give it a try!
Resting is normal and needed. You have a long list of tasks. You have overworked yourself throughout this whole month and you just need a day off. That’s totally fine! Make some plans with friends, sleep in and do what relaxes you. One free day will not lead you away from your goals, but make sure that your break has an end! It is when we are well and rested that we are more productive and hard working.
Procrastination is common and challenges many of us, but we can’t let it rule our life…There are many tips to get over your lack of productivity, like the ones listed above and many more. Make sure that you trace the cause of it, to find the solution that best fits you!
Γέννημα θρέμμα Στερεάς Ελλάδας και φοιτήτρια της Αγγλικής φιλολογίας. Pop culture expert (στο περίπου) και cinematic nerd με κρυφό όνειρο να ασχοληθώ με την κριτική κινηματογράφου. Θα με βρείτε συνήθως με ακουστικά στα αυτιά να ακούω μουσική ή να χαζεύω σκονισμενες βιβλιοθήκες, εκτός αν ειμαι σε road trip κοντα στη φύση (θα κοιτάω τα δέντρα σαν τον Tolkien). Πολύ ήρεμη βέβαια καυστική, old soul και γεμάτη περιέργεια για τη ζωή ολίγον τι έντονη και ξεροκέφαλη, με την ελπίδα ότι τα άρθρα μου θα σας κρατήσουν καλή συντροφιά!
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