8 Foolproof
Productivity Hacks for the World's Worst Procrastinators
Procrastination
can strike virtually anyone in any context. And it can take several forms: You might avoid work entirely, deliberate so much over work decisions
that you don't actually get anything done, feel so much self-doubt that you're
incapacitated, or tell yourself you can't work until a series of perfect
conditions align (which, of course, will never happen).
Putting off
work might seem satisfying, but it's actually self-sabotaging. Procrastination can provoke feelings of guilt, stress, and shame. It can also derail your
professional reputation and opportunities for professional advancement.
The good news
is even the world's worst procrastinators can learn to be productive.
First, you need to acknowledge you have a
procrastination problem and stop believing you're incapable of changing it.
Then it's time to adopt strategies that facilitate your own productivity. It
takes some work, but utilizing the following hacks can help you let go of procrastination
and embrace productivity instead.
1. Ruthlessly eliminate distractions.
Procrastinators
will take any excuse to turn away from whatever project they're working on.
So minimize
the number of available excuses by using
apps that block Web browsing, silencing your phone (and putting it in another
room), logging out of email, working in a quiet space, and so on. If you're
more likely to be distracted by thoughts than by gadgets, jot down whatever's
on your brain to get it onto paper and out of your mind.
2. Try the (10+2)*5 rule.
Don't worry,
no one is asking you to relive high school algebra. Instead, this
technique involves working for 10 minutes, taking a
break for two minutes, and repeating this pattern five times. Over the course
of an hour, you'll put in 50 minutes of work. But because you only need to
commit to 10 minutes at a time (and you know you're guaranteed a break soon),
it can make larger commitments feel less daunting.
3. Assign a false deadline.
As Parkinson's Law maintains, tasks expand to fill the time allotted to them. So it
stands to reason that the less time you allow for a task, the quicker you'll
get it done. Make a habit of writing down deadlines for yourself that are in
advance of when a project is actually due. You'll give yourself less wiggle
room and help ensure you aren't holding up the process for your co-workers.
4. Make yourself accountable.
If your own
willpower just isn't cutting it, solicit the help of a friend, family member,
co-worker, or app to help
you stay on task. This could take several forms: an afternoon
status update, a morning pep talk, or even imposing a consequence for failing
to be productive. For example, you might commit to donating $5 to a charity of
your choice for every hour you spend procrastinating.
5. Work out.
This might
seem like an odd suggestion: How can you be more productive at work when you
aren't working? The productivity benefits of exercise occur after a workout has
taken place, in the form of increased focus and reduced
brain fog. If you're struggling to stay on task,
consider taking a quick workout break. A jog around the block, a few jumping
jacks, or 20 minutes of weightlifting can clear your head and help you get back
in the productivity game.
6. Give yourself a (timed) break.
The
procrastinating mind wants to do all kinds of things other than work--post on
social media, browse Reddit, compulsively check emails, play with the dog, get
a snack...opportunities for distraction abound. Or maybe you're just feeling
stressed and anxious and it's preventing you from focusing on your work. If
you're having trouble concentrating for any reason, tell yourself to go ahead
and surrender
to whatever's distracting you--but only for
20 minutes. Set a timer, let yourself get fully absorbed in the distraction,
and then turn your attention back to work as soon as the timer goes off. No
excuses.
7. Start over.
Just like
dieters who think that because they've eaten one slice of cake, they've ruined
their diet and might as well eat the whole thing, procrastinators tend to view
their own failure to get things done as a justification for further
procrastination. The thinking goes, "I've already wasted most of the day,
so why bother doing anything now?" Break this defeatist cycle by starting
your day over at 2 p.m. every day. Set an alarm and
use it as a reminder to refocus and commit to making the most out of the hours
you have left in the day. Even if you played Candy Crush all morning, a lot of
productivity can still happen between 2 p.m. and the end of the workday.
8. Provide an incentive.
There's a
reason parents promise treats to kids who do their chores. People respond to
alluring incentives--and adults are no different. If you can't stand the idea
of tackling a given work project, sweeten the pot by promising
yourself a reward once you're done. This can take
whatever form is most appealing to you: an early happy hour, a massage, an hour
of vegging on the couch...whatever most motivates you to get it done.
Above all, remember to be nice to yourself.
Calling yourself lazy, incompetent, and so on is only going to erode your
self-esteem--which will make it that much harder to get motivated. Instead, try
to adopt a positive attitude. The more you believe in yourself and these
strategies, the more effective they'll be.
BY DAN
SCALCO
http://www.inc.com/dan-scalco/8-foolproof-productivity-hacks-for-the-worlds-worst-procrastinators.html?cid=nl029Aweek44day03
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