How to Turn Procrastination on its Head

Have you ever had one of those days where you just can't seem to get anything done?

You sit down at your desk, determined to be productive, but before you know it, hours have passed and you've accomplished nothing. If this sounds familiar, then you're probably a procrastinator.

Procrastination isn’t just putting off tasks until the very last minute - it is a particular behavior pattern, a tendency to delay taking action. Procrastination can have serious long-term consequences

But there's no need to despair! While it may seem like procrastination is the enemy of productivity, it doesn't have to be. The key to working through procrastination is to use small tactics that interrupt the delay cycle and get you moving closer toward your goals.

Instead of trying to stop procrastinating altogether, why not reframe your thinking about task avoidance? In fact, with a little bit of creativity, you can actually use procrastination to your advantage. Here's how:

1. Break Large Tasks Into Manageable Chunks

Too many things to do?

Sometimes the sheer amount of things on your to-do list can feel overwhelming and make you less likely to even start. And this can even result in work piling up even more.

As a procrastinator, you would never be able to take on too many tasks at once. It's just not possible.

The best way to do the best with your procrastination is to break large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks that are easier for you to handle.

Analyze your tasks and then break them down into more doable sub-tasks. Doing so will help take away the burden of having to tackle a large, daunting task at once. This way you would be able to get your work done quickly and then even get time out for procrastinating.

2. Pushes You To Automate What & Where You Can

You must have heard necessity is the mother of invention.

And for procrastinators procrastination is a necessity. And to procrastinate you need free time. And to get free time you need to run your work faster. Thus how else can you do it than using technology?

Automation can be a great way to speed up mundane tasks, save time and energy, and make sure that important tasks get done on time.

You can use automation tools to set up reminders, create schedules, organize your files, and more. Nowadays, you will find automated software for even simplest of the tasks.

For example, you need to write a blog. And being a procrastinator, you would want to get write quality content in record time. And here's where AI tools like Jasper steps in.

Just put in the commands regarding your content and the AI will generate it as you want in record time. You would have a blog ready in minutes and then you can do the minute edits.

It's just one example, there are many such AI and automation tools to help you out in all fields.

3. Propels You To Invest More Time In Researching

If you're a procrastinator you would know that running out of time and fear is real.

And because of this fear, you would want to finish a task as soon as possible. But you can't finish a task right if you don't have enough knowledge and experience.

You need to invest some time in research and learning before starting a task. Take the time to research what has worked for others and brainstorm ways to put a unique spin on it.

Could there be a way to combine the two strategies? Are there any areas that have been left out in similar approaches that you can fill in?

You would come across new ways and processes to reach the desired results in no time. Also, researching would help you in understanding the subject matter and thus would reduce the effort of getting through it.

This way you can use procrastination to your advantage by investing maximum time in research and then working on the task in a shorter amount of time.

4. Motivates You To Create Reminders & Set Deadlines

Yes, procrastination can be used to your advantage.

Sometimes setting deadlines and creating reminders can be a great way to use procrastination.

By setting deadlines, you're committing yourself to get the task done by a certain date. This gives you a sense of urgency and helps motivate you to finish the task quickly.

Creating reminders also works similarly. Setting a reminder means you're pushing yourself to not forget the task and get it done as quickly as possible.

For setting reminders you can use project management tools like Asana and Trello. They help keep you on track and remind you of the tasks you need to get done.

If you pick up these traits then your procrastination and work will never collide. So, if you are a procrastinator then try out this habit for increased productivity.

5. Encourages You To Celebrate Your Small Wins

Last but not least, procrastination can also be used to celebrate small wins.

When you set yourself goals and achieve them even with your procrastination habit, it definitely deserves to be celebrated.

This will help you in motivating yourself and pushing you forward. Celebrating your wins can have a huge impact on your self-esteem, confidence, and determination. It can help you in having the courage to take up bigger tasks and challenges with a can-do attitude.

Plus, whenever you feel a bit discouraged, it's always fun to look back on all that you've achieved throughout the process. Celebrating each success along the way is such an empowering boost as you stay focused on reaching the finish line!

Give yourself some creds, reward yourself for your hard work, and celebrate the small wins. This will help you in staying motivated and push yourself to do even better.

Wrapping Up

Procrastination does not have to be a negative force. Rather, it can be actually used as a tool for productivity.

Procrastination encourages your mind to wander and imagine anything and everything. This results in increased creativity. So procrastinating is not all bad.

Procrastination helps bring out the highest quality work due to the time pressure it offers.

The urge for procrastination will drive you to be more productive. As long as you know how to manage it, procrastinating can be a great tool for productivity.

So go ahead and learn to be productive while procrastinating!