Why we procrastinate and what it does to us Procrastination is a mindset that says, “I can do it later.” Procrastination is a sign that you are facing tasks you do not want to do. It is about ignoring unpleasant or essential tasks in favor of activities that are more pleasant or easier. We either avoid tasks that we see as difficult or unpleasant or underestimate the time and effort needed to complete a task. Procrastination is an ineffective way of using time and usually leads to stress or depression. How to fight procrastination breaking the cycle First, we need to recognize we are procrastinating. Understanding why you are delaying a task can help you find the best approach to cope with it. Recognizing when you are avoiding a particular duty is one of the most important steps to fight procrastination. For example, I might be watching TV to avoid doing my work. I procrastinate because I am terrified of the work I have to complete and don’t know where to begin. Once you think about the causes behind your procrastination behavior, you can create a plan for eliminating and changing them. How to fight procrastination applying long-term results Focus on the long-term outcomes (the positive effects of completing a task) instead of the short-term benefits (avoiding the difficulties associated with the activity). If the task ahead can seem too daunting, we can commit to tiny steps. That will help you to start with the tasks you are putting off because they feel overwhelming, tedious, or scary. For example, breaking down an enormous task into smaller pieces will help you turn an overwhelming project into something manageable. This will help you to stop procrastinating and take action. How to fight procrastination through daily habits One way to fight procrastination is to consider each task we do as a daily habit. For instance, we brush our teeth every day, and many of us give the same amount of time and effort to this daily routine. If we apply the same effort to other tasks, we will be less likely to find ourselves inclined to put off things that need doing. The benefit of these small habits is that they seem more manageable than tackling one enormous project all at once. How to fight procrastination: additional tips & tricks * Set a specific time and place for work: Experiment with different settings and find out what is more suitable for you. * Identify the triggers: Track the times when you’re most likely to procrastinate. For example, if you’re most likely to put things off when you’re at home on your computer, then leave your laptop at work or vice versa. * Create a list of all the tasks that need to be done and write down the points that will take longer to complete. One way of not delaying tasks is to get them done straight away. * Motivate yourself to start a specific activity. Instead of using distractions or trivial tasks to delay important tasks, identify the tasks that have the biggest positive impact on your life and schedule the time to work on them.