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The Best Ways to Stop Procrastinating at Work

Best Ways to Stop Procrastinating at Work

We have all found ourselves checking our phones for slightly longer than we should have been or accidently staring aimlessly into space. It’s important to recognise that you are actually procrastinating, why you are and how to stop it.

How do you recognise you are procrastinating?

Recognising that we are procrastinating can be a challenge but is the first step to stop. Have you ever found yourself…?

• Constantly leaving the important jobs, completing the easy less important tasks first.
• Reading emails over and over without deciding what to do with them.
• Starting tasks but getting distracted by a tea break or office chat.
• Using excuses as to why you haven't completed something.

Recognise why you are procrastinating?

The next step is figuring out why you are procrastinating in order to help prevent it.

Poor organisation

• Poor organisation can mean focusing on less important tasks leaving the most important to the last minute, not giving them the time and attention they need.

Distractions

• Distractions can be social media, your colleges, coffee breaks, non-work-related phone calls etc. Distractions will increase your level of procrastination and impact the quality of your work and focus.

Fear of failing.

• Some people, procrastinate due to a fear of failing. They have the belief that if you don’t tackle the task then you have no way of failing at it.

Fear of success

• Other people might procrastinate in order to avoid success as they don’t want to be asked to complete more work or be given more challenging projects.

Where you choose to work

• Where you work may help you avoid procrastination. Working alone may lead you to procrastinate more, as you feel no one is watching, so no one will know. Equally, other people may find it harder to focus in the office with colleagues around to distract you. You have to find the best place for you, and maybe that is a mixture of both, so you don’t get bored in one place.

How to Stop Procrastinating?

We have put together some ways to help you stop procrastinating and become more productive when working.

Make a to do list, but don’t over plan.

• Making a to do list is a great way of planning your days and weeks and allows you to stay clearly organised. Don’t over plan as you can spend more time neatly colour coding than you will actually be working.
• You could also download a scheduling app which allows you to keep track more easily.
• Be realistic in your planning, set yourself achievable goals.

Time goals

• Try and set time boundaries for each piece of work/project you have been set to do. This way you are not spending too long on one thing and can easily spread your time more evenly. It also means you will not get bored spending too long on one task, which means you should procrastinate less.

Tackle tasks as soon as you get them.

• Tackling tasks as soon as you are given them will stop you overthinking and will help them become less overwhelming. Leaving the best till last means you get the hard and boring work out of the way first and means you don’t have to worry and stress about rushing to get them done last.

Don’t fear failure.

• Work to your strengths, as you have the skills and abilities to be able to complete the tasks you have been assigned. Fearing failure will affect your ability to work and the product you produce. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support where it’s needed. If you have an issue share it, as a problem shared is a problem halved.

Find a buddy to check up on you and vice versa.

• Tell someone in the office about what you need to complete, so they can keep you on track and check up on how you are doing. Making it a friendly type of peer pressure, which you can do for each other.
• Additionally, seek help from your colleagues, don’t suffer in silence otherwise you won't want to complete what you have been assigned.

Reward yourself for completing tasks.

• Everyone loves a reward, no matter how small. Little treats are important and will keep you more motivated throughout the working day. Make sure you have a treat set up if you have a big deadline, presentation or project as motivation is key.

Minimise distractions.

• Try and minimise time on your phone to breaks and lunch hours, this way you'll not get hooked into social media or conversations while at working.
• Try and limit coffee breaks, as they become a great excuse for procrastination.

Take breaks.

• Breaks should be for a limited time and structued thoruhgout the day. No matter if you are working in the office or remotely at home planning and actively taking breaks or going for a walk etc is extremely important to keep your work levels high throughout the day, and to maintain motivation.

 

Stay Safe,

Team Affecto.