Ways To Stop Procrastination And Increase Productivity

Procrastination is a funny thing huh? Some people think it’s to help you avoid pain or unpleasantness. It certainly can help you avoid something you don’t enjoy. And, I think I procrastinate with stuff I don’t wanna do more than stuff I do want to do….of course. But, you have to think of the reward first instead of the effort you need to put in before you get the reward. Cuz, you’ll never get rewarded without that effort (probably). It’s helpful to have ways to stop procrastination and increase productivity.

Ways To Stop Procrastination And Increase Productivity

​One of the best ways I find that helps avoid and stop procrastinating is setting a time. Make the time you do something the same every day or every time.

I work for myself so it’s my job to get to it. Many people think working for yourself means you just work when you wanna. That is so far from the truth… if you want to be successful.

So, honestly, it’s like a 9–5 for me with flexibility. I get up at the same time every day, do my morning routine the same every day and get to my office pretty much the same every day.

This is a huge way to tackle and avoid procrastination altogether.

How To Increase Productivity

Once I’m at my desk, I start with my schedule. And, really, my workday is similar every day. This is how I like it… for now. Maybe I will change it up in the future. Maybe not.

I make a schedule at the end of each month for the next month. Like I said, my days often involve a lot of the same tasks. I divide the work into 2 categories - work for my business and then work for my clients.

Planning it all out and scheduling it at the beginning of the month helps keep your tasks in front of you and moving forward. You can live by your calendar - that is perfectly fine.

Looking at this schedule every morning when you sit down can be thrilling. My girlfriend says I am a kind of taskmaster so I do love to work through my list during the day. It’s being productive right?!

Tools To Increase Productivity

When you want to be productive, moving through your day and accomplishing things is what you’re looking for, right? How do you make that happen? Tools. Just 5 simple tools assist me with my daily tasks.

1. Clock. Sounds silly, but the clock in my house is the boss of my day when I’m not in my office. I need to get to my desk by certain times. So, I make sure I can see a clock from most places and stick to it.
2. Check List Schedule. The plan I make at the end of each month is formatted into a checklist that I print out and have on my desk to look at all the time. It’s my work and personal checklist.
3. Calendar. I put my schedule into my calendar. I look at this every morning as well. Boom - here is your daily and weekly plan with goals to accomplish.
4. Timer. My favorite way to get through my list though involves my handy timer. I like a separate timer that isn’t on my phone. I can just access it quicker. And, time everything. I spend 20 min 3x a day on LinkedIn for example. Set my timer and then move onto something else. Unless it’s super important, move on to the next task.
5. Streaming music or movies. It varies throughout the day. I usually listen to something light so I can write or read. But, if I am doing a task like taxes - I might “watch” a romcom in the background to keep me “interested”.

Be More Productive In Your Life

Even if you don’t feel like it - you still do it. This will be the key to moving past procrastination and being more productive in your life. Stick to it, follow it and get into the rhythm of your work and life.
Sometimes it’s all about physics. Things that are in motion tend to stay in motion more than a lump sitting on the couch going nowhere. 😂 LOL.

If you need a mental health day…take it. If you need to get out and take a walk…do it. We stop 3x a day. 2 breaks and lunch. We stretch at our morning break and watch a show with a snack during the afternoon break.

Then you get back to it. Set a timer if you need to.

You might mess up one day. Who cares. Call a reset. Get a new cup of coffee or tea and get to it again. Just get your butt in the chair so to speak. Hope these ideas work for you. Stick with it and you should start to see results!