How to end procrastination?

Countless videos and materials can be found on the internet on this topic. I would like to demonstrate the topic of procrastination through a lecture from the Psychologist named Jordan Peterson. In his video, he explains how to put an end to procrastination. So how to end procrastination? It is not just laziness. Procrastination can be a frustrating habit that prevents us from achieving our goals and completing tasks on time. However, there are several strategies that we can use to end procrastination and increase our productivity.

Identify the reasons why you procrastinate

The first step is to identify the reasons why we procrastinate. This may include fear of failure, feeling overwhelmed, or simply not knowing where to start. Once we have identified the root cause of our procrastination, we can develop specific strategies to address it. For example, if we are overwhelmed, we can break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps. If we are afraid of failure, we can focus on the process rather than the outcome, and celebrate small successes along the way.

How to end procrastination with small daily goals

At the beginning of his lecture, he stresses the importance of awareness, which can be achieved by creating micro-habits. Respectively, he emphasizes that setting goals helps to overcome procrastination, because it provides motivation for everyday activities, and by breaking it down into smaller goals every day we can move towards our goals.

Another effective way to end procrastination besides identifying the reasons for procrastination is to create a structured schedule or plan. This involves setting clear goals and deadlines and creating a daily routine that supports our productivity. We can also use tools such as timers and alarms to help us stay focused and on track. Additionally, we can try to eliminate distractions and create a conducive work environment. This may involve turning off our phone or social media notifications or working in a quiet and well-lit space. By implementing these strategies, we can develop the habit of taking action and staying focused, and end our procrastination for good.

Okay, but how does it help to end procrastination? Smaller goals also make the big goal more manageable and achievable, therefore they help to lower the chances of procrastination. Achieving small daily goals motivates us because it brings us closer to our goals. He suggests setting concrete goals so that we can end procrastination.

Read more on goal-setting here

How to end procrastination with micro-habits

A lack of concrete goals can cause anxiety and can make us feel that we may not be able to meet the goal set. To actually do our micro-habits daily, he suggests using google calendar. Peterson explains that a lot of people don’t love daily schedules, because it makes them anxious every day.

But a daily schedule is needed in order to get closer to our goals. To persuade ourselves to do these micro-habits we can make an agreement with ourselves, talk to ourselves, and discuss it with ourselves after achieving a specific daily goal and what reward we get.

Speak nicely to yourself to stop delaying tasks and end procrastination

The part when Jordan Peterson emphasizes that people are not their own slaves, so they should rather have a discussion with themselves instead of self-punishment after procrastinating. Peterson draws the analogy between the operation of a company and procrastination.

The procrastinator is the bad employee and the even worse boss in one person, and both work for your company: you don’t know what you want, but when you tell yourself what to do, even then you do not do it. So fire yourself and try to become someone else- Peterson suggests.

In conclusion, ending procrastination requires a combination of strategies that address the root cause of our procrastination and support our productivity. Setting small goals and breaking down larger tasks into manageable steps can help us stay focused and motivated, and celebrating small successes can boost our confidence and sense of accomplishment. Additionally, speaking kindly to ourselves and practicing self-compassion can help us overcome feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, and create a more positive and productive mindset. Finally, implementing micro-habits, such as working for short periods of time or establishing a consistent routine, can help us build the habit of taking action and staying focused.

By incorporating these strategies into our daily lives, we can develop the skills and habits that support our productivity and enable us to overcome procrastination. While it may take time and effort to establish these new habits, the rewards of increased productivity, greater satisfaction, and reduced stress make it well worth the effort. With a little patience, persistence, and self-compassion, we can end our procrastination and achieve our goals.