Do you often find it hard to get started on an important task, instead waiting until the very last possible minute? If you want to break this pattern, ask yourself the following questions to pinpoint the root cause of your procrastination:

  • Do I know how to do the task?
  • Is there anything about doing the task that makes me uncomfortable?
  • Is there anything about the end result or finishing the task that I fear or dread?
  • Do I enjoy doing this task?
  • Do I understand the next step to take on this project?
  • Do I have the tools and supplies needed to perform this task and are they organized and easy to access?
  • What feeling am I trying to avoid when I put off doing this task?

Once you understand the reasons why you procrastinate, then brainstorm solutions. For example, if you don’t know how to do a task, seek resources to help you. If you don’t enjoy doing the task, brainstorm ways to make the task more efficient or more enjoyable.

It takes time and energy to avoid doing a task. So why not invest this time and energy into understanding why you procrastinate so you can develop strategies to get started sooner, finish faster, and move onto an activity you enjoy?

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