Procrastination is the result of delaying or postponing a task, or set of tasks, and can manifest in many ways. While procrastination is often confused with laziness, the two are very different. “Lazy” is one of many unhelpful labels we can be quick to use when we’re not feeling motivated to take action. However, on the contrary, many studies highlight the link between procrastinaton and stress and/or issues with managing emotions.
This week, we welcome guest contributor Laura Garber, founder of Craftresumes, who shares with us 4 key steps you can take to stop procrastination from having a negative impact on your career.
Procrastination is common
We can all slip into procrastination at times. Whether putting off a project until the very last minute, avoiding a set of tasks that are hanging over you, or delaying updating your resume - ongoing procrastination can have the tendency to slow down progress in your work.
Thankfully, if you find you procrastinate from time to time, you’re certainly not alone and it doesn’t mean that you’ll experience a career of missed opportunities. There are many techniques you can employ in order to prevent procrastination from getting in the way of your success.
Identify the reasons
As with any issue you encounter in life, the first thing to address is identify the reasons that are creating this state of procrastination.
You could find that it’s down to a huge change you’re going through in your personal or professional life, or it could be something else entirely. If you’re struggling to identify the reasons, you could try talking to someone you trust to explore how you feel and what you’re going through - it’s amazing how many answers can come out from a single conversation.
Once you have found the root cause of the procrastination, finding a solution to it can be a lot easier. It could be due to no longer feeling joy in your work, or perhaps you feel that leaving things until the last minute will make your work better.
Whatever the reasons are, once you have identified them, you can begin to put together an action plan to manage them. Find out more about identifying issues and developing mental strength.
Work on task management
A key issue that many people encounter, especially if they are working from home, is managing their time. This can mean hours spent feeling unproductive, and hours can easily turn into days.
One of the best ways to counter this issue is to find some sort of time management system that works for you. Whether that involves keeping a particular schedule or using an app to manage your tasks, this can help you to identify an effective way of keeping on track with your tasks. This will also help you to feel more motivated at work.
Having a sense of routine can also create a feeling of calm and a sense of being in control. In addition, it can stop your mind from wandering and becoming distracted by other unrelated tasks.
Create accountability
For most people, deadlines and bosses will help create a sense of accountability in the workplace. What if, however, you don’t have either? Some people may run their own business or have tasks that they need to complete for their own benefit. This often means you are reliant solely on yourself to create that sense of accountability.
There are several ways you can do this. You can reach out to your community - either via social media, attending in-person or online events, or join a network of like-minded professionals such as the Calmer Community. You can also reach out to a friend who may be experiencing similar issues.
Once you have embedded that feeling of being accountable, you may find that smaller tasks take on so much more meaning, and this can really help you to focus on completing what you need to do. It can also provide you with a greater sense of pride and overall achievement in your day.
Create Incentives
Imagine the scenario - you are working from home, and you would like to get your CV or portfolio updated so that you can take that next big step in your career. Last night, however, you became hooked on a great new TV series, and the final episode you watched before you went to bed ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger.
We’ve all been there - we tell ourselves that the CV can wait and that delaying the work by one hour won’t really matter. However, these little moments can soon add up, so it can be hugely beneficial for you to develop an incentive system for yourself instead.
Imagine that you allow yourself to watch two episodes of the show once you have finished the CV or portfolio - almost like a reward for your hard work! Not only will you be able to enjoy the show more because you have no work or tasks looming over you, but you will also have something to motivate you to finish your work. For further inspiration, you may identify with and enjoy watching this insightful and funny TED Talk by Tim Urban, Inside the mind of a master procrastinator - I’m sure we can all relate to what he shares in some way!
Remember to approach any experience of procrastination you have with kindness to yourself, and hopefully the above four steps will support you on your journey.
Laura Garber is a professional career-guidance provider, with over a decade of experience helping people to get their careers on track. She is currently based in Bristol, England, where she lives with her two children and her husband. You can find more guidance from Laura at Craft Resumes.