5 Tips for Serial Procrastinators

Do you struggle to get on with the things that you need to do in life? Find yourself getting easily distracted and putting off important tasks? It sounds like you may be a procrastinator! If you struggle with staying on-task frequently, you may even be a serial procrastinator in need of some serious tips to help you to get back on track.

Everyone procrastinates sometimes, but for some, it becomes a chronic issue that can negatively impact their lives. Fortunately, I’m sharing 5 great tips for serial procrastinators today that will help even the most easily distracted person regain some control, so let’s get started.

How Do I Know If I’m A Serial Procrastinator?

We all put tasks off from time to time, so how can you identify whether you’re a serial procrastinator or not? If any of the following statements resonate with you, it’s likely that you are a chronic procrastinator and in need of a few tips!

You regularly postpone and put off tasks.

If you’re a serial procrastinator, you may find yourself frequently putting off tasks, even important ones, despite knowing the potential consequences of doing so.

You frequently find yourself wasting time.

Serial procrastinators are comfort seekers and will often put off doing important tasks, regularly shirking their responsibilities. If you find that you spend your time engaging in unproductive activities, like scrolling social media or watching TV, instead of focusing on the important tasks, you may benefit from the tips in this post.

It’s not uncommon for you to find yourself in a last-minute rush.

Whether it’s leaving a project until the last minute or putting off getting ready to go out and meet someone at a certain time, serial procrastinators will often create extra stress and pressure for themselves.

5 Tips to Help Serial Procrastinators

Serial procrastination isn’t the end of the world. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person and it doesn’t mean that you’re lazy or useless. It simply means that you may need to be more mindful and take a few extra precautions in order to achieve your goals. Here are 5 ways to tackle serial procrastination:

1 Set achievable goals for yourself.

Make sure that, when you set yourself a goal, you set something that’s achievable, clear, and has a deadline. We’re not talking about life goals here, but tasks that need attention – potentially more than you’re able to apply in one setting. If this is the case, utilise planners, calendars, and productivity apps to help you manage the workload. Consider breaking big tasks down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

2 Identify what triggers your procrastination.

Are you bored, overwhelmed, fearing failure, or exhausted from trying to complete something to an excessive level of perfection? Before you can address your triggers, you need to identify what they are and why they prevent you from completing your tasks.  Only then can you start to craft a strategy to overcome them.

3 Set yourself up for success with a distraction-free environment.

Your environment can play a huge role in your productivity levels. In order to procrastinate less, you should consider what your environment offers you. Does it serve you, or does it distract you? Turn the TV off, move your phone to another room, or consider using apps that block distracting websites.

4 Have an accountability buddy.

If you’re really struggling with procrastination, having someone you trust to check in on you and your goals during the day can help you to stay focused. An accountability buddy can help you to stay motivated, as well as provide essential support, encouragement, and praise.

5 Reward yourself and celebrate every achievement.

Maybe one of the most important tips I can impart today is that you should celebrate every achievement, no matter how small! Rewarding yourself gives your brain a little dopamine hit – the hormone that affects the area of the brain responsible for giving you feelings of satisfaction, pleasure, and motivation. Effectively, you’re giving yourself some positive reinforcement, which will ultimately encourage you to stay motivated.

The Most Important Tip for Serial Procrastinators…

Finally, I will leave you with the most important tip for serial procrastinators: do not be too hard on yourself! Learning to break habits is tough, and creating new habits is even harder. Remember not to be too hard on yourself, especially if you slip up and find yourself procrastinating when you know you should be focused. Instead of talking negatively to yourself, acknowledge the moment, and simply try again. Learning to procrastinate less isn’t about reaching perfection or striving for success every time, it’s about continued improvement and personal development.