My Practical Tools for Overcoming Procrastination

Hello everyone, today I’d like to share my personal tools for tackling procrastination.

I’ve noticed that when I feel tired, procrastination tends to become more prominent, so I’ve observed how exhaustion sets in.

One of the reasons why I start to procrastinate more was not taking a break before it’s too late, meaning I don’t rest until fatigue hits me.

For example, after my three-hour self-directed ice hockey training sessions, I used to find myself unable to accomplish anything else for the entire day due to exhaustion.

To address this, I started incorporating five to seven-minute breaks every half hour during the hockey training session. The results were remarkable; I was still energized after the session and could effectively engage in various tasks.

The crucial aspect was taking a break before reaching the point of exhaustion.

If I rested after more than 30-minutes of ice hockey practice, it was already too late, leading to quicker fatigue and less effective training, making the rest of the day sluggish.

Another tactic I discovered is consuming protein products during these breaks to boost energy and combat procrastination.

Additionally, if I feel the need for a nap, I allow myself a 30-minute break, as a short nap also helps counteract procrastination.

To tackle procrastination, I’ve adopted self-regulation techniques. For instance, I limit social media checks to 3 pm and email checks to 9 am and 3:30 pm. I’ve also relocated the TV to a less frequented room and stashed my phone in a drawer while blogging.

Simply, I distance myself from tempting distractions, and these practices have evolved into habits.

Another practical tool involves vividly visualizing my goals instead of merely jotting them down. For example, when striving to complete a Mental Health course while working full time, procrastination often struck, particularly after work.

However, by envisioning specific outcomes, such as my parents’ pride and the potential career shift, I found the motivation to overcome procrastination.

I’ve come to recognize that finding satisfaction in the progress toward a goal is more fulfilling than achieving the goal itself.

For instance, one of my goals was to win the Inline hockey cup in Sydney. I dedicated time and effort to prepare for the cup. When our team achieved victory for two consecutive years, and I earned the title of the best player one of those years, the happiness and joy were indeed indulging. However, those feelings only lasted for a couple of days. In contrast, finding joy in the journey and progress proves to be more enduring.

So, my advice is to embrace and enjoy the progress.

Lastly, I’ve implemented the 2-minute rule. When procrastination hits, I commit to engaging in another activity for just 2 minutes, be it writing, yoga, or practicing piano. More often than not, once I start, those initial 2 minutes extend to 5 or even 10 minutes.

These are my practical tools for overcoming procrastination. If you’d like to share your ideas, please leave a comment below. I’m eager to learn about any new tools.