Happy New Year to all my fellow freelancers! The year is now 2020 and with the new year brings new years resolutions - if you need any further proof of that, just check out your local gym’s parking lot!
This year I have chosen to focus my efforts on something that more than likely plagues a lot of us – procrastination. I, along with many others, am a notorious procrastinator. Procrastination is an efficiency killer so when it comes to conquering it here are some of the things I’ve learned:
1. Identify your common distractions and work to eliminate them.
A common theme amongst procrastinators is engaging in activities that are more pleasurable over the ones that aren’t. When I was a kid, a game of road hockey was the achilles heel to my spelling homework. Fast forward to today and the thought of checking my fantasy hockey league weasels its way in between me and my more important responsibilities. With all the Instagramming, Snapchatting, Netflix binge watching, and food to be eaten we are constantly inundated with distracting activities. So how do we stop these things from getting in the way?!?
The most important thing is being honest with what environment pushes you to get things done. If the couch and TV are calling your name get out of your ‘comfort’ zone and stroll on down to your local coffee shop or library and put some physical separation between you and your worst distractions. Or, if you have the space to do so, create an area in your home that is purely for work. Immersing ourselves in a space that is only for working can aid in putting us in the mindset that now is the time to be productive and that we can save all the other distractions for later.
2. Approach your work with a plan.
In my experience another common factor in procrastination is trying to tackle a job without a plan. Any job, no matter how small, can feel daunting without a detailed approach to completing it, and because of that we are all the more likely to subvert to distracting activities over our more pressing ones. Creating an outline not only gives us a place to start but also turns an overwhelming project into many smaller, more manageable pieces.
3. Do the dirty work first.
Now that you know the steps that need to happen between now and the finish line of your project, identify the ones you like to complete the least and do those first. Creating a hierarchy of tasks will help you in procrastinating less and succeeding in the long term.
4. And finally, just get started!
As simple as this one may sound, it was and continues to be the most impactful solution to minimizing my own procrastination. You’ve gone through all the other steps to set yourself up for success and now there is just one more hurtle to jump – once you get started everything else will start to fall into place. So dive into that most hated task on your list and watch as you sail all the way to the finish line.
Procrastination is an ever-evolving thing and there will always be more we can do to break it. With continual practice you and I can only get better! And if not, I guess there is always tomorrow (just kidding, lets do it now!).
Do you have other new years resolutions? Comment below! We’d love to hear what you’re improving on in 2020.
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