Ever wonder why we put things off, even when we KNOW we shouldn’t?
Here’s why:
Fear factor: Taking that first step feels risky – What if we mess up? Our brains are wired to avoid threats. So, when you see a big, scary task on your list, your brain might think it’s a threat and inhibit action.
Imposter Monster: Often, procrastination stems from perfectionism. In the fear of not doing something ‘well enough’, we tell ourselves, “If I can’t do it perfectly, why even bother?”
Instant Gratification Trap: Social media, games, that extra episode…all offer a quick dopamine hit (burst of energy/happiness), making it easier to delay the less exciting stuff. Our brains trick us to choose instant fun/comfort over long-term benefits of getting things done.
Don’t take the pressure of going from procrastinating to productivity overnight.
Here’s how you start small –
Five-Minute Rule:
Tell yourself that you will do the task for only 5 minutes, and then if you don’t feel like continuing, you will drop it. Mostly, those 5 minutes WILL turn into MUCH more because you find a good momentum.
Time It:
Decide your top 3 tasks/goals for the day (1 for each – morning, afternoon and night) and set a timer for 15 minutes. As soon as the timer goes off, drop everything you are doing and FINISH the tasks. Then, go back to being lazy (its fine!)
Chunk It Up:
Big, scary tasks feel WAY less intimidating when you break them down into actionable steps. Write small, manageable tasks and tick them off as you go. That feeling of accomplishment WILL keep you going!
Shift Your Mindset:
Every morning, instead of asking yourself – “What do I FEEL like doing today?”, ask – “What do I NEED to do today? Setting goals and completing tasks based MORE on their importance/urgency, and LESS on our feelings/mood is key! Remember: You do NOT need to ‘feel like it’ in order to act. You NEED to start acting into order to feel like it.
