How can you end the procrastination habit and be more productive? It’s easy to end procrastination when you know the reasons why procrastination happens in the first place.
This video from asapSCIENCE outlines simple ways to battle the brain’s bad habits, which helps to put an end to procrastination.
Here are Six Science-Based Tips to End Procrastination
- Get started! The brain simulates work by focusing on small tasks instead of tackling the larger job at hand. Getting started will make it more likely that the brain will then remind you to finish what you have started.
- Schedule work & breaks: Set a scheduled amount of time to work on a project, including short breaks. Next, choose a set amount of time (eg. 90 mins) to dedicate to one specific task, with a break afterward.
- Split up large tasks into smaller parts: Split up larger tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. This helps the brain see the whole task as less daunting, which helps with getting started.
- Give yourself a deadline: Write down the deadline for a project. Then break the project down into smaller steps and create deadlines for each smaller part. This makes it more likely that you will hold yourself accountable and actually complete the task on time.
- Create an accountability chart: Keep track of what you have accomplished in a day with a list. Checking items off as they are complete provides an overview of how productive you are.
- Stop multitasking: Each night, make a list of tasks to accomplish the next day. Rather than trying to tackle pieces of everything on your to-do list, choose one or two specific things to complete, from start to finish.
