In this post I'll be sharing some personal experiences that helped me overcome procrastination and get more done.
STEP 1: Accept That You Will Not Do This Right Away
If you want to get more done, you must accept that you'll have to be disciplined about this. Don't try and force yourself to start working at 8am, you'll just end up getting nothing done.
Instead, set your alarm to wake up an hour early and work on your list of tasks for the day. This will give you more time to actually complete your work, and you'll start feeling more productive immediately.
STEP 2: Focus on the Small Tasks
It's easy to see how big of a task is, and it's easy to get distracted by other things. But focusing on the small tasks and completing each one before moving on to the next will get you a lot more work done.
Start with a small task, make sure that it's completed, then move on to the next small task. Each small task gives you a boost of motivation and willpower, which you might need if you've got lots of stuff on your list.
STEP 3: Prioritize Your List
Your list is a good starting point, but often a little too long. Try prioritizing your list, grouping similar items together so that you can more easily see how you're progressing.
Once you have all of your items in front of you, group them into three categories: urgent, important, and nice-to-do.
Urgent
Do this first, it must be done.
Important
Important but not urgent
Nice-to-do
Do something nice for yourself or others and treat it like it's important.
STEP 4: Break Down Each Task into Steps
One of the most common reasons for procrastination is because a task seems too hard or too complex. So instead of just doing one task at a time, break it down into smaller steps.
For instance, instead of trying to finish a book in one sitting, break the task down into 30 minute intervals. This forces you to work through a bit at a time, rather than all at once.
STEP 5: Keep a Clear Schedule
A clear schedule is very important. Make sure that you have a daily, weekly, and monthly plan that you stick to.
This will ensure that you don't get overwhelmed by too much work. Also, it helps you remember that you've already completed the items on your daily and weekly lists.
If you don't set aside time each day to work, you're more likely to stay stuck and procrastinate. It's the same with a weekly or monthly schedule.
If you don't follow these steps, you'll be unable to make the huge leap from being an average worker to a high-achieving entrepreneur.
I do procrastinate