DEV Community

Cover image for 6 practical ways to keep procrastination at bay

6 practical ways to keep procrastination at bay

Akshaya Venkatesh on July 11, 2021

This blog talks about 6 simple yet effective way to minimise procrastination. Procrastinating simply put, means that you're putting off something...
Collapse
 
w3rafu profile image
Rafael Fu

Telling someone about my plans has failed to me many times and it can be humiliating. We are all different, but I would say that you can wait until you get some REAL results. Keep your IMAGINARY results for yourself.

Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh • Edited

Thank you for sharing - I am of course not suggesting you to share the results before you have event tried - that is certainly a bad idea. Telling something like - "Hey have you tried this? I've been meaning to for a while now...". The next time when I know I am gonna meet them it will be at the back of my mind that they're gonna ask me about it or even if I forget, them asking, "Hey did you try it out? " will serve as a reminder.

Collapse
 
lilithkarapetyan profile image
Lilit Karapetyan

Haha! I don't remember writing this article :D Couldn't agree more on all points.
After having years of experience in procrastination, I tried every possible thing that came to my mind.
The first point you mentioned about not having a plan B, I do slightly differently. Whenever I have a plan A, and I don't want to do it and still force myself to start doing it, as a result, I spend my whole time trying to convince myself to do something. In the end, I get tired and have nothing done. As a solution, knowing myself, I just discard plan A, not to spend time on it :D. In this way, plan B becomes my only plan, so I do it without procrastinating :D.
Another minor difference is that sometimes by imagining the possible great outcome, I start daydreaming and procrastinating my current task :D So, one has to be careful with it.
The rest of the points I directly apply in my life. Depending on the situation and my mood, different methods work.
Thanks for addressing this important topic; I'm sure this will help people stay more self-organized and motivated!

Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh

So you're saying Plan B is the actual plan but you force yourself to do something more difficult or tiring i.e. Plan A so that Plan B seems easier and better. Wow this is a great perspective. Thank you so much for sharing.

Collapse
 
siddharthshyniben profile image
Siddharth • Edited

About the third point, sometimes it can be helpful to start at a round figure, like on the first day of the week or month. It's called the fresh start effect, and it can help you get started. There's research on this

Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh

Oh that's insightful. I just read up about fresh start effect. Thank you for sharing Siddharth!

Collapse
 
shahiscoding profile image
Abhishek shah

The second point on waiting for the right time hit me really hard. I have been doing this for as long as I remember. Waiting for the round figure and in doing so, I mostly wasted hours because the time didn't seem right or something else.

The thought still crosses my mind but I have learned to put that thought aside and start working.

Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh

Yes like I said - it’s the procrastinator’s biggest enemy. Glad that now you’re able to put it aside and work 👏👏👏 thanks for sharing 😁

Collapse
 
siddharthshyniben profile image
Siddharth
Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh

This was a good read. Thanks again! I am certainly putting this to practice!

Collapse
 
siddharthshyniben profile image
Siddharth

The doist blog has some really good advice on productivity, and their todo app (Todoist) is also what I use

Collapse
 
vanshsh profile image
Vansh Sharma

2nd point is so apt for me 🥺🥺.
I think it's time to change my habit 🙄.

Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh

We’ve all been there. Don’t worry Vansh. Once you’ve realised what you’re doing wrong - there is always time to rectify it. Glad this helped you 🙌🙌

Collapse
 
cuobiezi profile image
cuobiezi

Thanks for your sharing . I’m very agreeing the last point . I was aways to do other things when I working at home , I can’t focus on my work . I can work better at Starbucks or some public areas.

Collapse
 
pavelee profile image
Paweł Ciosek

Great article!

I would add something about distractions from your phone, like FB, YT etc.
Blocking notification (during work) can protect you from excuses (like new YT video)

Collapse
 
naman56 profile image
Naman Budhiraja

Hey, this is amazing. Will apply it to increase my productivity..

Collapse
 
easyvipin profile image
Vipin Chandra

One of the best blog I read in 2021
" Don't have a plan B " 👏👏

Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh

Thank you Vipin. That means a lot to me 😇

Collapse
 
venkyakshaya profile image
Akshaya Venkatesh

Whoa! This opens up a whole new realm of thoughts for me. Thanks for sharing. 🙌