overcoming procrastination

{in 7 steps}

Jo Gifford@dexdivawww.dexterousdiva.co.ukguest post for Regus Connect which originally appeared here

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone”

― Pablo Picasso

Ah, procrastination.

If you have ever felt more compelled to water the plants, hang out the washing, clean your shoes or hoover instead of completing a task, you are not alone. Procrastination can take a hold in the freelance life very easily, and especially so when working from an office at home, alone.

If you want to start the new year with a productive focus and intent, here are 7 steps to help overcome procrastination:

work somewhere elseWorking in a dedicated workspace eliminates the distractions which can encourage procrastination.

If you know you have a tendency to veer away from your task list at home, set aside time to work in a space that encourages workflow and

concentration. Regus Business Lounges and offices can enable freelancers and self employed entrepreneurs to enjoy the benefits of working in

an office environment to stay focussed on tasks that need to be completed.

break tasks into chunksWith the best will in the world, there will always be some jobs and tasks that we find difficult, or that

we dread the most.

Whether it’s completing your tax return, getting to grips with your e-book or writing a presentation, if something feels daunting we are more

likely to avoid it.

Tackle chunky work by dividing it into 15 minute “slices”. Set an alarm on your smartphone, and commit to dealing with the job in hand for that

15 minute window. Take a break to stretch your legs or do another task before coming back to it. Soon enough, the enormity of the job becomes

less, and you realise you have taken control before panic ensues.

do lessBeing productive is totally different to being “busy”, and the two are often easily confused.

It can be counter productive to try and tackle a huge to do list when tasks could be prioritised in a different order.

Try to take a step back and ask yourself if your expectations for a working day are reasonable; far better to have 2 or 3 key tasks to achieve which

you can complete with a sense of satisfaction, than to have an insurmountable list that’s likely to overwhelm you into submission.

get some exerciseExercise can be the first thing to go when time is tight, but staying active and healthy really helps productivity and focus.

Go for a walk for at least 30 minutes each day, and you will find your mind focuses better, ideas spring to mind more easily, and stress levels are better controlled.

stay organisedKeeping your thoughts, research and task lists in order really helps to avoid overload and

procrastination.

Evernote is an excellent tool to log ideas, notes, emails, tasks and documents to keep everything in one place.

Find an app and workflow that works for you, and you will reap the benefits of a clearer mind, fewer distractions to your productivity and less

opportunity to procrastinate.

no email & social mediaThe constant stream of information available online through social media, newswires, blogs, emails

and messenger devices can put productivity to a halt.

Reduce the number of times in a day that you check your email to avoid getting distracted, and set aside dedicated social media time to allow

yourself to explore the links and news articles as they arise. Set up a workflow system that smartly files your research so you can read anything

important later (IFTTT is excellent for this), and you can stay streamlined, focussed, and in control of your information influx.

find your zone, & work in itFinding your “zone” is a key skill in developing good working habits.

Find which music helps you to work, which environment inspires you, which food and snacks get the neurons sparking (bananas are excellent

for this), and replicate the scenario to get yourself on the productivity road.

“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.”

― Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

for more on workflow, tips, tricks and hacks to stay productive & creative visitwww.dexterousdiva.co.uk

For my FREE ecourse click here.

{guest post for Regus Connect which originally appeared here}