Have you ever realized that your work isn't progressing, and you can't seem to complete anything? Or perhaps you intend to do something but never actually get around to it? The biggest culprit is often yourself. If you frequently say phrases like “just a moment,” “in a bit,” “later,” or “tomorrow,” you might have a habit of procrastination. Sometimes, you might say these things so often that you don’t even think about it. Others may wonder how long your “just a moment” really is. When is your tomorrow, exactly?

You know that procrastination is not a good habit, and you probably want to break this bad habit once and for all. Tonkit360 has some great tips to share, which can be applied to studying, working, or even doing household chores. However, it’s important to note that no one can help you with this; you have to take action yourself. Only you can control yourself.

If You Procrastinate Because You're “Lazy”

If your work isn't progressing, you can't blame anyone but yourself. If you can't motivate yourself, no one else can either. Wanting to change your habit of procrastination means you also dislike the way you live without purpose. Changing this habit isn't hard; the challenge lies within you. You need to constantly remind yourself that you must become a new person.

Try using the strategy “Rome wasn't built in a day” by creating a detailed To Do List for each day. Clearly define what you need to do and set specific times for each task. By outlining your tasks with time constraints, you'll feel motivated to “get it done.” If you keep yourself busy all day, when will you have time to procrastinate?

If You Procrastinate Because You're “Tired”

If you have a main job and intend to pursue a hobby or enroll in additional classes but feel that “just working is exhausting,” that’s okay. You can still move forward with what you want to do. If you're tired, just take a break; it’s not that difficult. Once you feel refreshed, you can return to your tasks.

Even if you want to change yourself, don’t stress too much. Sometimes, being lazy or procrastinating is a result of physical exhaustion or emotional sensitivity. If you force yourself to work and fail, you might end up feeling bad about it or even hating yourself. Taking a break is a way to recharge your body and mind so you can feel motivated again.

If You Procrastinate Because You're “Really Busy”

If you’re a busy person with a packed schedule and many social commitments, you need to use time management skills. For example, in a day with 24 hours, if you allocate 1 hour for each activity on your To Do List, you could potentially complete 24 activities. If you succeed, you’ll feel inspired to keep going.

You can plan your day according to your convenience. For instance, divide your 24 hours into three segments: 8 hours for work, 8 hours for rest, and 8 hours for personal matters. Try to manage your time accordingly. If something isn’t urgent, stop when your time for that activity is up, and don’t let it affect other time slots. This method can help you manage your life much more easily.

If You Procrastinate Because You're “Addicted to Your Phone”

Many people ruin their well-laid plans because they are “addicted to their phones,” whether it’s browsing the internet, playing games, or scrolling through social media. You should observe yourself to see if you’re spending too much time on your phone and how many hours you dedicate to it each day. The longer you realize you’ve been on it, the more you might regret that time. If you’ve tried reasoning with yourself to put it down and do other things but haven’t succeeded, you may need to take drastic measures and “cold turkey” yourself.

One method is to “set a shutdown time.” You might find apps that can disable all the apps you’re addicted to or set a time to turn off your phone. When your phone shuts down right in front of you, it signals that it’s time to change activities. It also makes you feel frustrated, bored, and annoyed, reducing the desire to turn it back on. You might find something else to do instead, and at the very least, you could complete one task.

If You Procrastinate Because You “Lack Goals”

If you don’t have goals yet, start setting them right now. You probably know what you need to do next. If you see it as a normal task, it’s not a challenging goal; you can do it or not. Therefore, set any goal that comes to mind, no matter how small or simple.

The reason is that when you try to become someone who doesn’t procrastinate and takes immediate action, you will still tend to delay. If the goal is too difficult, you might give up before you even start. However, if it’s a small goal that’s easy to complete, once you achieve it, you’ll feel like a winner. Bigger goals will follow because you’ll be inspired to tackle more challenging tasks and succeed to continue winning against yourself.

SOURCE: tonkit360