7 Ways to End the Procrastination Habit

Typically, inability is not what keeps us from achieving our goals. Rather, the reason that we don’t accomplish our goals is due to one bad habit: Procrastination. We choose to put off doing the work necessary to make our dreams come to pass.

If you procrastinate, don’t feel alone. Procrastination is a problem for everyone. We know what we need to do to achieve our goals, and yet, inexplicably, we don’t do it.

For example, how many people do you know who have started writing a novel that they can’t seem to finish? Lots of folks out there need to lose weight, and yet they avoid starting an exercise routine. Some people allow their homes to become cluttered and unpleasant because they choose to avoid the work of organizing and purging their belongings.

The crazy thing is that we avoid doing those things that would make our lives so much better! Below are some ways to end the procrastination habit. Try them and see how much better your life can become.

1. Use the “Five Second Rule”

The author, Mel Robbins, wrote a terrific book called “The Five Second Rule.” In it, she advocates that we shouldn’t delay before doing difficult tasks. Instead, when we have a task in front of us, we should just count backwards – 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – and then immediately do it.

The idea is that if we give ourselves time to mull and ponder before doing a task, we will reason ourselves out of doing the very thing that we need to be doing. So, if you want to break the procrastination habit, seize the moment. “Just Do It,” as Nike says.

2. To End the Procrastination Habit, Create a Daily “To Do List”

To Do Lists are a great approach to help you stop procrastinating and get stuff done. And a daily To Do List is the most effective approach. Every day, make a list of the things that you want to accomplish that day. And then complete the list.

The key to “To Do Lists” is to make them realistic. If your list for the day contains 8 hours-worth of activities, that is not a good list. Your list should contain those things that you can realistically accomplish within that day’s schedule. Commit to crossing off all the items on your list before you go to bed.

3. Schedule Your Tasks

So often, we think that schedules are solely for appointments with other people. As a result, our schedule might include business calls or medical appointments. We typically don’t “schedule” our personal activities. We just do them whenever we have a free moment.

But if you really want to stop procrastinating, put your goals on your schedule. Treat your personal goals as being as important as any other appointment. For instance, if you want to lose weight, put your exercise time on your schedule. And treat that “appointment” to exercise as equally important as any other activity on your calendar.

4. Do the Tasks You Are Avoiding First Thing in the Morning

Morning time is the best time to get our most difficult or dreaded tasks done. In the morning, we are our most awake. And our brains haven’t been overloaded with information from the other interactions of the day. At that time of the day, we are mentally most ready to tackle our most challenging tasks.

For example, if you are trying to write a book or work on your resume, those tasks require a lot of mental energy. You don’t want to leave them until the end of the day when your brain is too tired to think clearly anymore. Instead, do those kinds of challenging tasks in the morning, when you are fresh, and your mind is at its most sharp and creative.

You are much more likely to achieve a goal if you tell someone about it. That is because if you work on a goal in secret, then you are only accountable to yourself. However, when you share your goal with someone else, you suddenly have the added pressure of being accountable to another person. If someone else knows about our goal, we feel a bit silly if we don’t report our progress toward it!

So, if your goal is to run a marathon, tell someone about it! You are less likely to sleep in and avoid your morning run if your best friend knows about your aspirations. You will feel the added motivation to get in your daily runs when you know that your friend is going to be asking you about your training the next time you meet for lunch.

6. Feel the Fear, and Do It Anyway

Often, we don’t procrastinate because we are lazy. Instead, we procrastinate because we are fearful. We fear failure. We fear appearing to be foolish. So, it seems safer to not try at all. I understand that fear. I feel a certain amount of fear every time I publish a blog post. “Will folks think that I am crazy?” “Perhaps no one will read what I write!” My fears are endless. But when it comes to writing, I feel the fear, and I publish anyway.

The reason I write for the public in spite of my fear is this: At the end of my life, I don’t want to live with regrets. I would rather try and fail, than not try at all. And if I don’t do everything perfectly, that is OK. I believe it is better to have tried and failed, than not to have tried at all.

7. Reward Yourself When You Make Progress Toward Your Goals

To keep yourself from procrastinating, reward yourself when you do something difficult. After all, we can’t always live on the satisfaction of a job well done! Sometimes we need a tangible reward. So, figure out ways to treat yourself whenever you choose hard work over procrastination.

For instance, if you are trying to lose weight, reward yourself with a new workout outfit or pair of sneakers after you consistently exercise for two weeks. Or maybe you are trying to write a book. If so, treat yourself to a movie night after you finish each chapter. The point is that sometimes we procrastinate because we need a little carrot to get us moving. Give yourself as many carrots as you need to reach your finish line!

Realize that procrastination is a bad habit like any other. And bad habits can be changed to good ones! Use the tips above to end your procrastination habit and achieve your goals. (To read about staying motivated, click here.)