Are you reading these procrastination hacks because you really want to be more productive or because you are too lazy to do something you should be doing? Our guess is, you decided to procrastinate by reading an article about beating procrastination. Ironic, isn’t it?
Lucky for you, procrastination is not a terminal disease you can’t cure. It is a mindset that you can change if you really want to. When you start, you will need constant reminders for these procrastination hacks to work. Once you get the hang of things, you will start noticing the increase in your productivity.
Procrastinating is a bad habit. The first step to getting rid of it is admitting that this unhealthy habit is holding you back. Not only you are prioritizing unimportant things, but you are also wasting your time and prolonging your tasks.
The second step is your commitment to change. You need to be determined to change mentally, physically, and emotionally. Now that you are ready, check out these procrastination hacks that will boost your productivity.
12 Procrastination Hacks to Boost Your Productivity
1. Try Out (10+2)*5
No, you don’t have to sort out this Mathematical formula. Instead, you need to try out the hack called “(10+2)*5” created by Merlin Mann. Simplified, this hack means work for ten minutes, take a break for two minutes, and repeat this five times and you will complete one hour. It is crucial to stick to these time limits and not break schedules. The point is to create a packed work routine and break schedules. After some time, you will start skipping your break schedules and working more than ever before.
2. Decorate Your Workplace
When we say to decorate your workplace, we want you to do it the right way. The first thing you should do is declutter your desk and remove all the things that might distract you. Working in a ‘cleaner’ environment will make you feel better and help you improve your focus. In addition, you should try adding red and blue items to your desk. According to a Science Daily study, the color red helps you increase your attention to details, while blue will spark creativity.
3. Plan Your Break
Even if you stick to the (10+2)*5 hack, you will need at least one longer break during the day. Make sure to plan it out thoroughly. List all the things you want to do on your break be it snacking, talking to your colleagues, taking selfies, checking you social media accounts – everything. Squeeze these planned breaks in between work time and make sure they last for only 20 minutes. Soon enough, you will find yourself spending your break minutes wisely. You will start finishing tasks while sidetracking to doing the things you enjoy.
4. Create a Timetable for your Tasks
In order for these productivity procrastination hacks to be effective, you will need to set a timetable for each step of the task you are assigned. For example, if you have a big research task, you might plan it this way:
8:00 – 8:10 am – Prepare your tools – browser, emails, notes, etc..
8:10 – 9:00 am – Internet research
9:00 – 9:45 am – Look through existing files
9:45 – 10:00 am – Break time!
10:00 – 11:00 pm – Outline the research report
By doing this, you are creating a sort of a deadline. Having a specific time to finish a task will put more pressure on you and make you work harder.
5. Don’t Bring Your Work Home
If you need to work on a stressful project over time, do not bring it home. Your warm bed and favorite TV show will prevent you from completing your tasks anyway. Instead, take your work to a library or coffee shop.
6. Procrastinate Productively
You can’t stop procrastinating at once. It will take some time to get rid of this habit. Believe it or not, one of our procrastination hacks is procrastinating productively. Learn how to perfectly staple multiple papers at a time or master tying your tie in 10 seconds. Sometimes, a strong drive combined with laziness can bring out a creative side you had no idea about.
7. Find a Mentor
If you take this habit seriously and you want to get rid of it fast, find a mentor who can help you. Your mentor should be someone who has the guts to reprimand you when you procrastinate. Settle a deal, for example, if your mentor catches you procrastinating you have to pay them five bucks. Your old habits will be gone in no time.
8. Get Rid of Your Gadgets
According to a study by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, an average smartphone user checks on his phone 150 times per day. Having your phone next to you will only make this habit worse. Removing all the gadgets will allow you to focus on your work without any interruptions. However, don’t forget that there are also ways to use your smartphone to be more productive.
9. Prepare The Night Before
Getting ready in the morning can sometimes take longer than you want it to. It is incredibly hard to leave that warm coffee so you could get ready. Well, you can save yourself more coffee time in the morning if you prep the night before. Prepare your outfit for the next day, your briefcase, laptop, and everything else you may need.
10. Do a Simple Workout in the Morning
Exercising early in the morning will increase your productivity and stimulate the release of the so-called “Happy Hormone” aka endorphin. Take a jog around your block. Too lazy to run outside? Check out these simple workouts that will take away five minutes of your time and help you lose fat.
11. Set-up Mini Tasks
If you have a big project to work on, you will probably delay it until the last moment. Why? Simply because knowing you have a lot of work to do will demotivate you even before you start. So, in order to stay motivated while working on big projects set-up mini tasks. Break down your project into mini tasks, create a checklist and start your work. Accomplishing something, no matter how tiny, always gives you that sense of fulfillment.
12. Inspire Yourself
Every time you feel like quitting, you can use some words of encouragement. Get yourself mini desk chalkboards, or simply write some inspiring quotes on a post-it note. Every time you feel like doing something else besides your work, look at that post-it which says “Do it now!”
