The first step to overcoming procrastination is to recognize that you’re doing it.
So, if you start to put things off indefinitely, or switch focus because you want to avoid doing something, or start something important and not finishing it, then you probably are procrastinating.

In a next step find out the reasons behind your behaviour and use appropriate strategies to manage and overcome it.

Let me give you an example: Sadly, I am a perfectionist, and unfortunately perfectionists are often procrastinators. Often, we rather avoid doing a task that we don’t feel we have the skills to do, than do it imperfectly. That is one of the reasons, why I am procrastinating from time to time.

However, there are more reasons:
– poor organization
– boring/unpleasant tasks
– feeling overwhelmed by a task
– fearing success as much as failure
– poor decision making

1. Do it now

Putting things off until the last minute is a bad habit and like all habits is ingrained in our subconscious mind and hard to break. It feels like the normal thing to do and we simply continue along our path. To complete a task immediately may even feel strange or like a forced action. However, Hold your breath and jump right in! You will see the results real soon.

2. Take baby steps

Sometimes we procrastinate because the task may be intimidating to us. Perhaps we have no possible inkling on where to start. In these cases, it is quite fine to take it one step at a time. Say you are preparing a business plan and for the 5th time this week, you’ve turned on the PC and looked at the blank screen. Or you’ve just remembered you need to do some more research before you begin…you’re still not ready. You simply need to break down the project into smaller pieces and tackle each bit separately. Make each task an individual project and after completion of each one, celebrate and acknowledge your achievement.

3. Have a sparring partner

Ask someone to check up on you. Tell them your issue and that you need to be more productive. The chance is pretty high, that this person is facing the same issue and needs a sparring partner, too. This works pretty well for me. My husband is my sparring partner and definitely keeps me going to finish my projects (which I left at 90%-95% finished before, just to jump into the next project).

4. Minimize distractions

We all face distractions every day – be it the constant “bing” whenever we receive a message on our phone or people disturbing us while we try to concentrate. Happens to me all the time, when my kids pop into my office and want me to unlock my iPad for them, so that they can have their screen-time and play Minecraft or have been fighting with each other and need someone to sort it out.
Unfortunately, these distractions lower our productivity and increase our stress. After being distracted, it normally takes about 23 minutes on average for a person to fully regain their focus on a task! So, think about what distracts you the most during your working day. I bet, technology will likely be pretty high on the list. Try to adopt new habits to help you to control your distractors. Turn off your email and social media, and avoid sitting anywhere near a television while you work!

5. Use a support team

Do you put off tasks because you feel that they are too big and complex for you to handle alone? Or because you need assistance?
Be honest with yourself. “No man is an island”.
Ask for help!
There are many resources out there that can provide you with all you need to carry out to do your job.
If you’re a solo-professional and you put off answering emails, then don’t answer them yourself. Hire an assistant, find some college students that want experience, get a family member to help.

If your procrastinate on life changing activities, that could be having fear of the unknown.
In that case, get a mastermind group together, find a mentor, join a support group. You don’t have to do it all by yourself.

Just ensure that to kick this habit; you do what feels good to you in whatever method you choose.

You’ll surely postpone procrastination for a very long time.