How To Deal With Procrastination

I’ll Read This…Later: When we’re faced with a task we have to do but don’t want to do, we can find a thousand other activities to fill our time instead. But here’s a fact about procrastination: the longer you put something off, the harder and more stressful it gets. Most of us don’t want to procrastinate, but it can be hard to find forward momentum and motivation. Here’s how to get things done right away instead of someday.

Why You Should Stop: Most everyone procrastinates sometimes, for different reasons: lack of interest, feeling overwhelmed, having perfectionist tendencies. Procrastination comes with increased stress and shame, potentially affecting our physical and mental health. It can strain relationships when others are counting on us. It can even cause financial harm if we’re postponing work- or money-related tasks. 

How to Do It: Make a to-do list and break tasks into smaller steps. Be sure it’s specific and feasible. Do the least desirable tasks first. Think about how completing projects helps achieve a goal. (“Paying my bills on time saves money by avoiding late fees.”) And you can even try to make it fun by planning an “Admin Night,” where you and your friends answer emails, schedule appointments, and complete other back-burnered tasks together.