Stop procrastinating and take control of your actions as you strive to achieve your life goals.
Do you have a serious procrastination habit? Does your inner script run something like, “I’ll do the dishes tomorrow” or “I’ll work on that project next week”? While it’s ok to put off small tasks occasionally, doing it all the time means rewarding, meaningful work won’t get done – like reaching a big life goal. When delays are chronic, procrastination becomes a dream killer.
What is Procrastination, Exactly?
Procrastination is the act of avoiding a task or to-do. It’s often accompanied by those unwelcome feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or being overwhelmed.
It’s definitely a barrier to reaching your life goals. Let’s face it. It’s easier, in the short run, to put off facing big, life-changing tasks for another day. But when you let procrastination rule, you’re getting further and further away from your dreams and aspirations, even your divine purpose.
If God has called you to a fulfilling goal – whether it’s writing a book, opening a community garden, or building a safe, comfortable home – you’ve got to squash the procrastination habit and prioritize the work that needs to happen.
Why Do We Procrastinate on Our Life Goals?
Procrastination is not about laziness. It runs a lot deeper than that. If you tend to procrastinate, here are some factors to consider:
- Fear of failure
- Perfectionism
- Lack of motivation
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Lack of direction
- Distractions
- Competing priorities
The good news is that there are practical ways to stop procrastinating and get on track towards achieving your life goals. Here are 10 strategies to get started.
10 Techniques to Stop Procrastinating
1. Identify Why You Procrastinate
Look at the list in the previous section on factors that cause procrastination. Did any of those ring true? The first step is understanding why you do it. Note your procrastination patterns and identify any underlying reasons. Do you always put off writing because you worry your future book could fail? Is that home renovation project sitting unfinished because it feels too overwhelming? If you’re having trouble figuring this out, bring your worries to God. Pray to Him about your life goal and the feelings you have around it. An emerging self-awareness will help clarify why you’re procrastinating.
2. Write Down a Specific Goal for Yourself
Write down exactly what life goal you want to achieve. Put it into words. A clear goal gives you something to work towards and serves as motivation to act. And be specific. Instead of setting a goal to “get in better shape,” write something specific like “run a 5k race.” This will give you a tangible target and help you stay focused. Put this written life goal somewhere you can see it; keep it at the forefront of your mind.
3. Break That Goal into Smaller Tasks
Feeling overwhelmed about that goal you just wrote down? Where to start? Next, break up your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. If you want to travel more, break that goal into steps like, “research places to go,” or “find a travel buddy.” This makes the work seem less daunting and more achievable. Now you can stop procrastinating and take that first step!
4. Set Realistic Deadlines
If you wrestle with motivation, assign realistic deadlines to each task. This creates a sense of urgency and accountability, pushing you to get tasks done on time. For instance, if you hope to finish writing a book by the end of next year, create a schedule. List out how many words or chapters you want to have done each month. Make sure the deadlines are reasonable, so you don’t freeze in your tracks. It’s good to start small and add tougher deadlines as you gather steam.
5. Actively Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are extremely difficult to overcome when you are trying to stop procrastinating. Instead of just thinking, “I won’t lose focus,” take active steps to do so. Figure out what vies for your attention the most – social media, television, something else? Stop those distractions from taking over when you’re working by creating a designated workspace or putting notifications on silent. Put that “do not disturb” on your phone to work.
6. Set a Timer for Productivity and Rest
No matter what your life goal is, taking on too much in a day is a surefire way to burn out. Set aside a specific amount of time to be productive and work on your goal. It could be five minutes or an hour, depending on your task. Set a timer and commit to only working toward your goal during that time. Likewise, when the timer goes off, take a break. Get up and stretch or take a short walk to clear your mind. Mental breaks are just as important to productivity as concentration.
7. Use Meaningful Positive Reinforcement
You’ve probably heard of rewarding yourself for completing chores and small tasks to keep you motivated. The same is true for tasks you complete for your life goals. Maybe it’s indulging in a treat or watching an episode of your favorite show. The most important thing is to pick a reward that makes you genuinely happy. It’s another way to include a little fun into the serious work of reaching your goal.
8. Find an Encouraging Accountability Partner
Do you know a friend or family member trying to reach a life goal like yours? Team up with them to achieve the goal or check in with each other regularly. If your goal is to get healthier, invite them to the gym and swap healthy recipes. Even if they don’t have the same goal, you can still encourage one another. Tell them about how your community garden is coming together and ask them how their volunteer work is going. Compare your procrastination habits so you can strategize on ways to stop. The most important thing is to team up with someone who inspires you when things get tough.
9. Change Up Your Environment
Sometimes, a change of scenery can do the trick. If you’re working from home all the time and in a mental rut, mix things up a little. Pick one day a week to work in a different place like a coffee shop, library or co-working space. Or think about your project while taking a walk – it’s a wonder how a walk can bring up new ideas. If you have to stay at home, maybe there’s a different room, or corner, or even a new chair!
10. Be Patient with Yourself
Pushing back on procrastination takes time and effort. Some days you’ll delay that task or just slow down a bit. Life can get in the way and priorities can shift. If you’re on a roll but other deadlines or demands need attention, that’s ok. Adjust the deadlines but don’t abandon them. That way you’ll stay committed to returning to your goal and all the work you’ve done so far. Keep your accountability partner up to date so they know when to encourage you to get back at it. The key is to be patient with yourself. Keep celebrating each small step. Don’t be afraid to make changes to your approach as you go.
No matter how or why procrastination affects you, it’s no reason to let God’s purpose for your life fall to the wayside. You are worthy of the incredible plans He has for you. So, keep at it. Use the techniques above and your own self-awareness to stay focused on your life goals and use your God-given talents to shine brightly in this world. Remember, through Him all things are possible – even overcoming procrastination.
