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What is Procrastination?
Procrastination is defined as the behavior of voluntarily delaying an intended course of action despite the negative consequences of this delay. Someone who is procrastinating postpones the initiation or completion of a commitment until the last minute, until after a predetermined deadline, or indefinitely. Sounds familiar? As you can see, there is a variety of ways we can procrastinate.
Procrastination is extremely wide-spread among college students and adults. [clickToTweet tweet=”Some estimates suggest that a third of #students and a half of all adults #procrastinate. http://bit.ly/12WaysToAchieveMore” quote=”Some estimates suggest that a third of students and a half of all adults procrastinate.” theme=”style6″]
In this very funny TED talk, Tim Urban of Wait But Why goes as far as to say that everyone is a procrastinator – we all procrastinate on something at any given moment of our life. This is an interesting thought!
Watch this video, and I promise you won’t regret it later.
Why People Procrastinate?
Research found that the most important factors that affect academic procrastination include:
- Self-regulation: ability to create a motivated, planned approach to learning;
- Self-efficacy: beliefs in one’s capabilities to carry out the actions needed to succeed in a task;
- Self-esteem: judgments of global self-worth.
Of course, affecting any of these factors requires time and consistent effort.
12 Approaches to Overcome Procrastination
In this blog post, we have compiled the most effective ways of dealing with procrastination. Everyone is different, so you might want to experiment with several approaches and see what works best for you.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Apply two of these 12 ways to overcome #procrastination for a few weeks. #results #productivity #students #howto http://bit.ly/12WaysToAchieveMore” quote=”Apply two of these 12 ways to overcome #procrastination for a few weeks. #results #productivity #students #howto” theme=”style6″]
1. Start the Day with the Most Difficult or Most Important Task.
Most people have more energy in the first half of the day and are, therefore, more likely to initiate something new when they are less tired. It feels good to knock off an important item from your to-do list any time of the day. However, by completing it early in the day, you will feel more accomplished and motivated for the rest of the day.
2. Set Deadlines.
Scientific studies found that procrastination diminishes as the deadline approaches. We can trick our brain by setting an earlier deadline, don’t we?
3. Use Post-It Notes and Phone Alarms as Reminders.
Of course, we need to make sure that our brain acknowledges the existence of a deadline.
4. Break Down Big Tasks into Small Steps.
Another research finding is that we are more likely to believe that we can complete a task if it seems doable. Starting something is often the hardest part when it comes to procrastination. If you break down a sizeable task into smaller chunks, and set deadlines for each of them, now you have a plan.
5. Find Ways to Deal with Stress and Overwhelm.
Learn what helps you to release stress. It can be going to the gym, watching a movie, talking to a good friend, going for a walk, or meditating.
These articles may help you get started:
How to Set Up A Home Gym Under $200
How to Workout When You Don’t Have Time
25 Uplifting Songs to Make Your Morning Commute Better
Top 7 Productivity Podcasts to Get The Most Out Of Your Commute
6. Release Expectations of Doing It Perfectly.
If we always try to be perfect, wait for perfect circumstances and expect only perfect results, we might never accomplish anything. As a result, we can miss out on the experience of learning and becoming better at something in the process. Giving yourself a permission to be imperfect can be extremely liberating. Give it a try!
7. Visualize Final Outcome.
For some people, visualizing a completed task can be very energizing. Imagine how you are going to feel when you have achieved your desired outcome. What does this feeling remind you of? Remember this symbolic reminder of your success whenever you need more motivation. You can even draw a picture of it and hang it on the wall.
8. List All Reasons Why Accomplishing a Task is Important to You.
What are the benefits of completing a task for you? Considering these benefits will motivate you to take the necessary steps to move forward. We are more likely to accomplish anything if we know our why’s.
9. Start on a Project Immediately to Avoid Distraction.
Even if you write only one sentence for a report that is due in two weeks, starting it makes it easier to come back to it later.
10. Celebrate Your Successes.
Even if it’s just getting one step closer to your goal, you did it, and you can be proud of your accomplishment.
11. Find an Accountability Partner.
Find a trusted friend and agree to connect at certain time intervals to check on each other’s progress. It can be once a week on Fridays, every other week, or once a month. You are less likely to be distracted from your plan, when you know that you are doing it together. Everything is easier with a friend!
12. Choose a Reward for Completing a Task.
Establishing a reward if you do what you set out to do will motivate you to complete the task. For example, you can watch your favorite TV show only after you have done your project. Or you can call your friend only when you are done with what you’ve scheduled.

Action Steps:
- Choose one or two approaches from the list above.
- Apply them for 2-3 weeks.
- Evaluate your results.
- Rinse and repeat until you find your best way or a combination of ways to overcome procrastination.
This is a brilliant blog post. Each of the 12 things are just great and I use quite a few of them. I really loved the Tim Urban talk on Ted – that was just so good. This list is something so many people need to have at their fingertips.
Thanks, Nicole! Yes, it’s a great TED talk. I need to have it at my fingertips daily. 🙂
Great article! I already implement some of these but I am also a serial multi tasker so often lots of things get started but not finished or to the quality I want. I love number 6 for that very reason and will definitely be implementing this 🙂
Thanks, Erin! I can relate to your point about starting many things. I’m really good at it. I’m learning now the lesson of consistency and commitment to one thing, or maybe two or three, but not fifty-five different things. Consistency and letting go of expectations are so important for producing results.
I think that this is a great topic with september starting, which means the start of school and..well, procrastination 🙂
I think setting deadlines works really well for me, that’s a great tip to keep in mind 🙂
Due dates are powerful. And yes! To be ready for midterms it is time to start working on procrastination now 😂
I am the queen of procastination! Borderline to being lazy! I am aware it! I think what would work best for me is to do the biggest and the hardest task first in the morning. It does feels good to have the things done so I can enjoy doing thing the rest of my day without guilt! And take a big task into many smaller task. One small task a day and within a week I will have it done!
I procrastinate…a lot! It’s something I can do all day long and I really need to start being more productive! Great advice!
Master procrastinator? Haha. Careful with that one. Consistent habit builds a character.
This post was very informative. I struggle from time to time with procrastinating homework and projects. Thank you for posting this!
Aaliyah, if you will use any of these tips, please, come back and let us know how is it going
Awesome tips, I work from home so it’s always a struggle. Thanks for the suggestions!
This post has an unique point of view and the whole narration attracts me to read each and every line of the post. Wonderful.
These are great tips. I know I have struggled with it sometimes. I am going to look forward to trying some of these. Very good advise.
I’m a Strengths coach, I help people figure out how to use their natural talents in different ways for new and better results. For me, as someone high in Futuristic (love to think about the future, get inspired about the future and what’s possible), number 7, visualize the final outcome speaks to me the most. Thanks so much for the strategies!
I’m guilty of that nasty habit as I often put things off. Thank you for sharing these useful tips.
Calleigh, I think procrastination hates consistent effort. I started with just one of these steps, but exercised consistently, and procrastinator-me was in the corner already. Good luck
Funny timing, I was just procrastinating a big task earlier today. Thanks for these tips!
Steph, if you will choose some of these tips, please, come back and share.
I really like the idea of starting the day with the most important task! I should’ve done that this morning, but ended up putting off my work until tomorrow.
I am similar. My brain says ‘complete the hard one first’, but the procrastinator-me says ‘naaah, you’ll do it later’
What a lovely post!! I didn’t know about this issue… Thanks for sharing with us
Thanks, Hra! Good for you if you are not familiar with procrastination!:) In my experience, the strength of the resistance is directly proportional to how big of a goal I set out to achieve. Everyone faces this resistance sooner or later, but there are ways around it.
This was such a motivating read for me as I am a huge procrastinator in life, I am always looking for ways to get over it and to some extent have been doing things like using phone alarms, setting a deadline and things like that. Thank you so much for sharing this post, it will be of so much use for people like me.
Aditi, you are welcome! Thanks for reading it. Procrastination simply means that you are dreaming big. Good luck with all your goals!
I actually kicked my procrastination problems as soon as I got to Grad school and I will never look back.
Aireona, I’m happy to hear you got a handle on it. Best wishes to you!
Such helpful ideas! Most of us are just stumped on how to move forward, these small steps can surely help! Thank you so much for posting!
Kimberly, we are glad it was helpful to you! I want to emphasize that there is nothing wrong with delaying action sometimes, as long as it’s not a systematic pattern. We can learn to get better and better at it.
I found this so useful. I especially like the tip about releasing the need to be perfect. As long as you’re trying your best you can’t do much more.
Chelsea, we are happy it was useful for you! Releasing the need to be perfect is a big one for me too. Wishing you the best in achieving all your goals and dreams!
Awesome tips. Me and my hubby are the biggest procrastinators so we can use some of these advise.
Elena, thanks! The good news is that we can get better at it. Wishing you all the best!
Sometimes I can be really focused and then other times I struggle to concentrate and end up procrastinating. I do agree that you should start with the most important tasks first in case you run out of steam!
Ana, I know! It also helps to know what time of the day you are usually more concentrated. For example, I know that my peak focus time is between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. I schedule my writing tasks and other focused activities around this time. And yes, it feels great achieving an important task early during the day.
These are all such great tips. I work at home full time and found so much success doing the most important thing first and breaking down big goals into small, manageable tasks.
Thanks, Michael! Yes, doing the most important thing first feels really good. I also like writing down each step. There is something about seeing it on paper that increases my motivation. And it’s fun to check off small tasks from the list. 🙂
I’m not in college but this is great for any student that needs help with getting organized. Love the tip”breaking down a large task into many small ones. Brilliant idea.
Thank, Tina! With so much distraction in the world right now, we need organization tips even more.
I love your point about getting the most difficult or unpleasant task done first because once it’s done it’s off your plate and you can move on to those other things that are easier to do and you’ll have a great sense of achievement too.
Thanks, Ellie! I find that it’s definitely true for me.
Excellent advice to people of all walks of life: education, sports, entertainment, etc. People procrastinate for various reasons, so having a list like this handy is perfect refrigerator material.
A great book to check out on this topic would be “The five second rule,” which I started today and am enjoying thus far.
I like the idea of a fridge magnet with the 12 ways to overcome procrastination. 🙂 Thanks for the book recommendation! Let us know your main takeaways when you are done with it.
Such great tips. I am definitely going to try these out as procrastination is a big weakness of mine!
Thanks, Sondra! You are not alone here. 🙂 Let us know which approach worked best for you.
Totally love this, and it’s so true!! I’m going to start visualizing the end result, breaking lathers tasks into smaller tasks, and phone reminders!! Now wish me luck 😉
Good luck, Kaitie! You can totally do it!
I often forget to celebrate my successes. Even the small ones I just kind of neglect. And those are important because they make you feel good about going on and working hard towards even greater successes.
David, totally! Small successes pave the way to bigger accomplishments. I recently introduced a new rule to reward myself by having one day a week when I’m doing what I enjoy, just for fun. It’s been a great source of energy and inspiration so far. But even small celebrations during the day are so important, as you said.
I love this post! I am the queen of pushing things off only to have to rush to get them done. Great tips pinning for later
Perfectionism. So my downfall! Thanks for these tips
I read somewhere that daydreaming and some procrastination can help with creativity. Your points are well taken though; especially chunking tasks into smaller doable portions.
Elizabeth, if it helps you I think it’s all good. It might be that it’s not procrastination anymore, it is a choice to move at a slower pace. Procrastination is delaying something even though you made a decision to complete it. I think it’s a valid point that knowing yourself and honoring your preferred pace is very important. One advantage of procrastinating that I can think of is that we can be much more efficient at the last moment.
Procrastination was my best friend my entire campus life. Now that I’m working, I find it very not suitable with most situations. Will definitely use these tips. Thanks for sharing!
[…] My students often say that it’s difficult to stay on track with their semester schedules. Similarly, procrastination is a common issue I hear about often. We have addressed the most effective approaches to overcoming procrastination in our previous post. […]