Everyone wants to learn the ways to succeed and apply them in their lives. However, certain habits often become obstacles to success, and although they might not seem harmful at first, they have a negative impact. Procrastination, or unnecessarily delaying tasks, is one such habit. Whether you’re a student, employee, businessperson, or freelancer, procrastination can affect your productivity and motivation. It is particularly detrimental for freelancers. In this article, I’ll discuss the tricks that can help you control procrastination.
What is Procrastination?
Procrastination refers to delaying or putting off important tasks. To be more specific, it involves postponing tasks until the last minute or close to a deadline. Several reasons can lead to the development of this habit. For freelancers, procrastination can stem from excessive workload, stress, and fatigue.
How Harmful is Procrastination?
Procrastination is often called a productivity killer. Delaying tasks for the last minute creates a sense of laziness and reduces productivity significantly. It can also lead to a lack of interest in the task, where people find themselves thinking, “Why not take a break instead of working?” In this way, procrastination can lead to incomplete tasks, causing unnecessary stress and a decrease in work speed and quality.
For example, let’s consider a freelancer named “K”. “K” has a project that must be delivered to a client in 5 days. The project is complex, so to meet the deadline, they must start the work early. However, “K” thinks, “I have 5 days, I can take my time and finish it slowly.” Despite knowing that it’s not a good idea to waste time, “K” continues procrastinating. After 3 days of delay, “K” realizes there’s no time left. They rush through the project and deliver it, but the final product has some important details missing and several mistakes. As a result, their reputation with the client is damaged, and the client may not want to work with them in the future.
If “K” had started working on the project in time, they would have had no rush, and the quality of their work would have been much higher. This demonstrates how harmful procrastination can be.
How to Control Procrastination?
Controlling procrastination is not very difficult. By following a few guidelines, you can break free from this habit. Let’s explore them:
1. Take Breaks During Work
Procrastination is a habit that requires self-awareness. Some people don’t even acknowledge that they are procrastinating and claim they are taking breaks. However, taking breaks and procrastinating are two different things. As a freelancer, it’s essential to take short breaks to maintain the quality of your work. Ideally, take a 20-30 minute break after working for 2-3 hours. Avoid taking long breaks, as they may reduce your work speed. If there’s a deadline, break your work into smaller intervals and take short breaks. This way, you’ll feel less tired, reduce stress, and meet your deadlines.
2. Complete Difficult Tasks Early in the Day
Freelancers often procrastinate on complex or time-consuming tasks. Experts suggest that our productivity is highest in the morning, and our brains function at their best. If you tackle the most challenging tasks at the start of the day, you’ll be able to stay focused and complete them without mistakes. Once the difficult tasks are out of the way, you’ll feel mentally relieved and will find it easier to complete the rest of your tasks.
3. Prioritize and Create a To-Do List
Creating a to-do list is crucial for freelancers to stay organized. If you have a habit of leaving tasks to the last minute, prioritize your tasks when creating your list. Write down the most important tasks first, and focus on completing them. This will help your brain understand the priority of tasks and gradually reduce procrastination.
4. Get Help from an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner is someone who helps you track your progress. This practice is not common among freelancers in our country, but having an accountability partner can help you avoid procrastination. Regular communication with an accountability partner will increase productivity and help you grow in your career.
5. Avoid Distractions
One of the reasons procrastination has increased among freelancers is distractions. Browsing social media, watching movies, or playing games during work can lead to procrastination. Focus entirely on your work while working, and take breaks for social media or games when you’re not working.
By making these small changes in your daily life, you can effectively control procrastination. Wishing you all the best in your career! Stay with us for more helpful posts.
