All of us have procrastinated at some point in our lives. But when procrastination becomes a habit, that’s usually because we’re avoiding doing things that make us uncomfortable and anxious.
One way to combat procrastination is to break down goals into smaller pieces:
- Find a small first step on your path to a larger goal. Set the bar to “good enough” instead of perfect and just go for it.
- For example, if you’re anxious about that presentation you have to do, just take a first step by creating the title slide of the Powerpoint and jotting down a few basic thoughts and ideas.
- The ideas can – and should be – far from perfect. Once you succeed at that, you’ll feel less anxious and be ready to take the next step.
Once you break the cycle, make sure to do the following:
- Create a detailed timeline with specific goals for next small steps.
- Avoid procrastination pit stops (e.g., don’t work next to your bed and make checking the news off-limits during work time).
- Surround yourself with people who inspire you to take action.
- Team up with a work buddy so you can hold each other accountable.
