Focus and Finish: Strategies to Beat Procrastination and Achieve Your Goals

By Rachel Onamusi

We’ve all been there. One minute, you think you’re doing well – you have a mental list of the tasks you need to complete and you reckon you have plenty of time to complete it so you’ll just watch that latest Netflix release. Next thing you know, deadlines are looming, every task is suddenly important, and you are now buried under a storm of emails.

Procrastination, the thief of time and productivity, can strike even the best of us. But there is a way around that feeling of helplessness and ever-mounting to-do list.

This guide equips you with powerful strategies to combat procrastination and become more productive.

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The first part of overcoming procrastination is understanding it. Procrastination isn’t about laziness or an inability to understand what is important. Many times, factors such as the fear of failure, perfectionism, or just feeling overwhelmed can trigger the urge to delay activities.

Our brains are wired for instant gratification, and difficult tasks often trigger a fight-or-flight response. We choose the easier path of avoidance, but this just leads to a vicious cycle of stress and missed deadlines.

The key to overcoming procrastination lies in proactive strategies: setting up structures that not only help with productivity, but also mitigate against distractions and excuses.

First, define clear, achievable goals. Break down large projects into smaller, more manageable steps, and make them SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Take writing a book for instance. You have most of the required knowledge in your head, but how can you turn that into an engaging and well-structured, well-thought-out manuscript with chapters and themes? Just thinking about it might be overwhelming and make you give up and go back to bed. Break it down! Set smaller SMART goals – have the chapters outlined within two weeks.

Break down the writing process into smaller, manageable tasks – writing 500 words per day. Have an accountability partner waiting for the first draft of the manuscript by a specific date. Before you know it, the book is done!

Visualisation can be a powerful tool at this stage. Picture yourself completing the task, freeing up your time and enjoying the satisfaction of accomplishment. It’ll motivate you to get there that much quicker.

The next step is prioritisation. Have you ever heard the phrase “busy doing nothing”? Productive procrastination is when we seem busy, but we are procrastinating by hiding behind other, less important tasks. Not all tasks are created equal. Prioritise ruthlessly. Identify the most important ones and tackle them first. Tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can help categorise tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring you focus on what truly matters.

Now, let’s talk time management and mastering your schedule. Techniques like timeboxing allocate specific time slots for tasks, creating focused work sessions. The Pomodoro Technique involves working in focused 25-minute intervals with short breaks, promoting sustained productivity. Experiment and find a system that works for you. Remember to gather everything you need before starting a task.

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A well-organised workspace minimises distractions and allows you to dive straight in.

The path can be challenging, however. For every step you take to guarantee success, there are pitfalls waiting to drag you back to the comfort zone of procrastination. Modern life is a minefield of distractions – social media, email, and the ever-present temptation of our phones can derail even the best intentions. There are ways to resist these, however.

Firstly, create a dedicated workspace. It could be the luxury of your own personal office or just the kitchen table. Designate a specific area for focused work, free from clutter and digital interruptions.

Secondly, silence your phone and turn off non-essential notifications on your computer. If you’re tech-savvy, consider apps that block distracting websites and social media during designated work periods.

Finally, go easy on yourself. Extend grace and compassion to yourself as you learn to tackle tasks head-on. Forgive yourself if you let things slide once in a while and reward yourself for completing tasks. It can be a simple pleasure – a cup of coffee, a few minutes with your favourite game, or indulging in a favourite hobby.

Conquering procrastination takes time and is an ongoing effort. Experiment with the strategies outlined above. Find what works best for you and create your own personalised system. Track your progress and celebrate your victories. Remember, consistency is key. With commitment and the right tools, you can get better at mastering your time and becoming more productive.

Rachel Onamusi is the CEO of VN Sync, a full-service media marketing agency specializing in digital media strategy, has a proven track record of empowering brands through innovative campaigns and strategic partnerships.