How to beat procrastination
You can use proven behavioral changes to get yourself out of the
habit of wasting time and start getting things done
Procrastination can cause extra stress, missed deadlines, and
unnecessary overtime just to name the obvious consequences. Here are five
anti-procrastination tips you can follow and 10 apps you can use to really put
them into action.
1 Don't
Get Overwhelmed by the Task
If you get too overwhelmed by a task, the resultant fear could
make you unintentionally idle. Stopping that from happening is all about your
mindset. Coach yourself to believe you can get stuff done, even if it doesn't
feel like it.
What's Up? is a mental health evaluation tool. It could help you
get to the bottom of what's making you overwhelmed. Are you feeling swamped
because of a past bad experience or the hurtful words someone said?
Made for iOS and Android, What's Up? works off of well-known
psychological principles -specifically those derived from Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Learn to recognize negative thought patterns and break free from
them. Plus, use the catastrophe scale to regain perspective when a task seems
too hard to finish.
Also, try an Android-based app called The Worry Box. It's ideal
if your anxieties over the things you have to do cause feelings of
helplessness. Record things in the worry cognitive diary, and determine how to
cope with overwhelming emotions. Hear an instructional recording and figure out
if a worry is outside or within your control, too.
After getting acquainted with these apps, you could successfully
fight back when under pressure. If that happens, you might marvel at how your
productivity soars, and procrastination is less tempting.
2 Change
Your Attitude Toward the Task
Ever hear someone say you need an attitude adjustment? If so,
you're not alone. Having a grumpy or otherwise negative outlook about a
responsibility can be debilitating.You might eventually convince yourself a
task isn't worth attempting and decide you'd rather face the consequences.
If an upbeat internal dialogue isn't causing the attitude
changes you seek, turn to tech helpers.ThinkUp is a very popular iOS app that's
now available for Android.Depend on it to develop a better mindset and reap the
associated rewards.
Maybe you're procrastinating about quitting smoking, or perhaps
you keep putting off going to bed early enough. The app helps you with those
common types of procrastinations and many others.You can even record positive
affirmations, or statements, in your own voice to get optimal results.Spend an
adequate amount of time in the app daily to improve chances of consistent
progress.
The Strides Habit Tracker is also a worthwhile investment. It's
best if you're trying to trade a bad habit for a better one. Doing that is hard
enough no matter what, but more so if your mindset convinces you you'll fail.
Made for iOS, this app functions smoothly on your iPad, iPhone, or computer.
The goal-setting tips help you create goals you can genuinely
reach. Meeting goals should result in a more positive mindset. You can also
track progress over time. When you notice you're steadily going in the right
direction, your mood should get a boost. Plus, metrics enable you to make
smarter decisions if things aren't going well, thereby avoiding discouragement.
3 Work
with Your Biorhythm
If you typically wake up about the same time without an alarm,
you're responding to circadian rhythms.Primarily responsive to light and
darkness, they also affect things like lung capacity and hormone production.
Some people also assert that tuning into circadian rhythms could maximize
productivity.Could doing that get you out of a procrastination rut?
Maybe you're not even sure how much sleep you should get. Find
out by using a web-based app called Sleepyti.me. Discover what time you should
wake if you go to bed immediately. Keep a diary based on how you feel when
abiding by the app's suggestions. Eventually, after adjusting your sleep
schedule, you should become more aware of your body's natural cycle.
Also, to follow your biorhythms and help science simultaneously,
sign up for myCircadian Clock. It's an app that goes beyond sleep patterns and
examines eating and activity trends. You'll periodically receive survey
questions about well-being. Your answers and the other collected data become
part of a study happening in California.You must be at least 18 years old to
take part. Moreover, meeting eligibility minimums is necessary as a study
participant.
Your answers and the other collected data become part of a study
happening in California. You must be at least 18 years old to take part.
Moreover, meeting eligibility minimums is necessary as a study participant.
After ten days of data collection, myCircadian Clock starts
giving you feedback based on your lifestyle.Reviewing it should simplify using
circadian rhythms to your advantage as you avoid procrastination and improve
output.
4
Impose a Sense of Urgency
Maybe you can't remember the last time you felt compelled to do
something quickly. If so, that reality feeds your procrastination habit.
The aptly named Hurry app for Android is a recently released
option that's already earning good reviews. It's a countdown timer that uses
animation in appealing ways. Make an event for an upcoming wedding in Hurry if
you're avoiding shopping for an outfit. The user-friendly interface facilitates
creating any kind of milestone imaginable. Periodic notifications ensure you
don't miss impending obligations.
Also, if procrastination often leads to public transportation
woes, start hoofing it with help from the Transit app. It has a routing feature
called Go that alerts you when a driver is ahead of schedule. After receiving
that notification, you'll know there's no time to drag your feet. The Go
functionality is relatively new, so it may not be perfect. However, it could
get you on the move and prevent hassles.
5
Create a “Starting Ritual“ and Use It Regularly
You can also punch procrastination out of your life by using
what experts call a “starting ritual.“ As most people know, the first step in a
process is often the hardest. A starting ritual could bridge the gap that makes
you afraid to start something. It makes the unpleasant parts of a task more
appealing so you can deal with them. For example, listen to a song you love
while getting dressed for the gym.
You may realize there are parts of your routine that hinder you
from getting things done. Identify them with an Android app called Time Tune.
Perhaps your gymstarting ritual is half as long as the total time spent working
out.Consider re-evaluating things and making a shorter starting ritual, but
don't do away with it altogether.
Time Tune also gives push notifications. Rely on those to get
cues about when to begin a certain starting ritual.
Too distracted to even think about making a starting ritual? A
Mac-based app called Self Control should help you stay focused -at least as
long as your distractions are internet based. The app blocks access to anything
online you specify. It continues working for the desired time, even if you
restart your computer or delete the app.
What
Will You Stop Putting Off?
Even for chronic procrastinators, this habit isn't impossible to
beat. Start thinking about your to-do list differently using these tips and
apps.
Kayla Matthews Mirror Sep 22 2017
This article was first published at http:www.makeuseof.com
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