7 Hacks To Make Progress
We’re talkin’ about procrastination again today and if you’ve already started working on using my 4 steps to overcome procrastination congratulations and ROCK ON 🤘! If not, head on over and check it out!
OK, so are you ready to avoid procrastination and make some real progress? I’ve rounded up seven killer hacks to motivate yourself to get your boogie on. Test them out over the coming days and weeks and find the ones that make the biggest difference for you. Whenever you find yourself procrastinating, come back to this list and see if you can try something else. Let’s get ready to get yo shit done!
This post may contain affiliate links, so if you click on them I may get a small commission. But don’t worry, I don’t promote anything I haven’t tried and 100% support!
Hack #1 – Start with Something Small
One of the biggest reasons we procrastinate is because something feels overwhelming. There’s just too damn much to do, so we choose to forget about it for a little while.
It’s called avoidance my friends!
And it’s a tremendous failure point when it comes to productivity and getting things done!
Listen, it’s a coping mechanism, albeit just not a very productive one.
So, instead of trying to take on the world all at once, pick one thing. Pick something small that you can do right now to get you moving in the right direction. This creates momentum and forces you to take action.
Hack #2 – Set a Time and Go!
Another hack to avoid procrastination that works like a charm is to break up tasks into smaller chunks and set a timer.
Set it for fifteen or twenty minutes and chip away at a task you’ve been procrastinating on (remember that Pomodoro method we talked about here…).
Guys, this works for anything. Been putting off decluttering your closet? This is perfect for breaking it up into smaller chunks so it’s not so overwhelming.
Still putting off filing those taxes?
Hear me out! You don’t have to do it all at once!
Hack away at it for a short period of time, save it, then come back later. If twenty minutes feels too long, start with ten.
Again, the goal is just to start!
You can use your phone, your smartwatch, heck maybe you have one of those old school turn dial timers!
We’re a judgment-free zone here. You do you boo boo!
Hack #3 – Bribe Yourself
Ok, this has hands down got to be my favorite! In fact, not entirely sure why it wasn’t #1 on the list…
Oh well, anyway…There is absolutely nothing wrong with bribing yourself if that’s what motivates you to avoid procrastination!
Spend some time working on that term paper for an hour and then watch an episode of your favorite show.
Don’t forget the popcorn!
Been eyeballing a kickass new Coach purse or the latest must-have techie gadget?
Promise yourself that when you finally finish painting the living room or organizing that junk collecting closet you’ll reward yourself with something you really want.
Come up with something that motivates you and go for it.
Make it a background picture on your phone.
Plaster the advertisement on your fridge.
Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror.
Leave yourself with plenty of reminders that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Then every time you think about putting something off for another day, remind yourself of the prize at the end of the project and get moving!
Hack #4 – Find an Accountability Partner
Hey, the world has no shortage of procrastinators. You may already know someone who is in the same boat as you. And this concept is totally not new.
You’ll get the same advice for really anything you’re trying to get motivated to do or get better at.
Going to the gym…scholarship applications…meal planning…it’s always easier with a partner to support you and vice versa.
So if you don’t know someone already, find someone else who’s either trying to be more productive or avoid procrastination themselves.
Check in with each other every day or every other day, whatever works for you.
Share your goals and what you will get done today. Knowing you have to be accountable to someone else forces you to take action, or face the disappointing consequences.
And sometimes, it’s like reverse psychology. I mean, if you’re trying to motivate someone else it’s likely to motivate you to practice what you preach to set an example. Give it a shot, don’t go it alone!
Hack #5 – Measure Your Progress
I totally get it, you want immediate results.
We live in a world where instant gratification is king and when you’re working on something long-term like losing thirty pounds, it’s so tempting to procrastinate because it doesn’t seem like you’re making much progress.
Why? Because some things just take time and consistency!
Yeah, I know. It sucks. Deal with it.
But that’s why it’s super important to keep proving to yourself that you are making progress by tracking or measuring it.
Make a chart, use a spreadsheet, keep a journal. Here’s a great habit tracker you can use.
And here’s another all-around great tool for goal planning and productivity. The GoGirl Planner and Organizer has everything you need from a calendar/planner, SMART goal tracker, and journal.
Find a way to measure your progress and use it to motivate yourself to avoid procrastination.
Hack #6 – Remember Your Why
Remember when we talked about setting goals?
There’s a reason you decided to do this thing in the first place.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge here that your why may not always be something you actually want to do (ahem, taxes? Mowing the lawn?) But nonetheless, there is a why to those things too.
Think about why you want to get it done. Is it so you get your tax refund? So you can run around with the kids? So you can fit in the clothes you actually want to wear?
Find your why.
There is an awesome book that I highly recommend for helping you learn to find your why. I have personally read this book and ya’ll, it is super enlightening.
It not only talks about finding your why, but helps you learn how you can inspire others to do the same.
Go. Read. It. Now. SERIOUSLY! Game changer!
So figure out your why, write it down and then keep it front and center.
Look at it every day before you get ready to start your day.
Hack #7 – Just Get Started
Alright, so I’ve saved the best for last. Ok so it may not be my favorite, but it is by far the most powerful tip of all.
Hear this!
Just get started!
It sounds so simple.
But sometimes all you have to do is just get moving and shakin’.
Do something…anything! Just by doing that you are taking the first step to avoid procrastination.
Even if it’s something super small. Sometimes that’s the hardest part, but once you’ve done it, it’s much easier to keep building momentum from there.
Let’s Recap All That Goodness
The goal here is to Give you 7 hacks to help you prevent procrastination.
- Pick something small to start with
- Set a time and go!
- Bribe yourself
- Find an accountability partner
- Measure your progress
- Establish and remember your why
- Just get started
Let me know what you think and if you try any of these hacks to avoid procrastination and if they’re helpful to you! Got any other tips or tricks you like to use? Feel free to share!
Much love and till next time!
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