How To Stop Procrastinating

It is said that everybody procrastinates, but not everyone is a procrastinator. "A procrastinator is someone who habitually and consistently delays tasks," he explains. That's about 20% of the population. Research has shown that the number holds around the world, in countries as far flung as Venezuela, Poland, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Hardcore procrastinators should head straight to a therapist, preferably someone who practices cognitive behavioral therapy. "You can unlearn to do things".

For the rest of us, who engage in occasional delaying tactics, lateness or putting off until tomorrow what we know we should do today, there are lots of no-nonsense, research-tested suggestions. Though it's good to try to figure out why you postpone tasks--fear of failure, the myth that you work best under pressure-- believeing in getting on with things.

For instance, keep a to-do list, and update it often. Set your priorities, and tackle the most urgent matters first. After the most pressing tasks, do the worst jobs next. Putting them off will just make your whole workload seem more impossible. Also, set realistic goals and deadlines.

The notion that computers and cellphones make it harder for us to get work done is not entirely true. We just need to manage our technological distractions. Check your e-mail once an hour only. Don't follow up or answer an e-mail unless it's necessary. Don't open one when you don't have time to read it. Quickly delete messages to get them out of your inbox.

At work figure out who your most productive colleagues are, and team up with them. "Work in teams". "Surround yourself with non-procrastinators." Try modeling yourself after a colleague who gets a lot done. Everyone loves flattery. Pull your highest-producing colleague aside and ask if you might shadow her for a time. She'll probably say yes.

Do stay on task. If you return from a meeting to an inbox full of requests, get done what you already needed to get done before dealing with all those new assignments.

Source: Forbes

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