3 Ways to Beat Procrastination Before It Sets In

Procrastination is the curse of anyone that tracks billable hours. We exchange important, high value tasks for easier, low value tasks and while this kind of job swap keeps us “busy”, it’s the thief of time and energy!

The first step in tackling procrastination is to recognise when you’re faffing about:

You sit down to start an important task and you immediately stop to make coffee
You wait until you’re in ‘the right mood’ before you tackle an important task
You fill your To Do list with unimportant tasks (or busy work)
You lose hours reading blogs or updating social media

Did you nod your head to any of these? I did! I had a serious case of “the avoiders” last week and I couldn’t afford to waste time. I had looming deadlines and a list of people to call and yet the vacuuming seemed strangely appealing.

Here are my top 3 tips to avoid procrastination before it sets in and sucks the productivity out of you!

1. Make a list.

This one was the general consensus on Facebook and is the cornerstone of an organised mind. The trick is to not fill your list with unimportant jobs that just make you feel busy.

2. Prioritise the list.

When we make a list there is usually at least one task that gets moved to the bottom. Sometimes it’s important but not urgent, and we’ll avoid it by doing all the other tasks first. This is still procrastinating although I call it productive procrastinating.

Put these hard/irksome jobs at the top of your list and do them first. When you bite the bullet and get them out of the way, you can enjoy the rest of your day with a lighter load.

3. Break it down.

Sometimes the task we’re surreptitiously avoiding is unpleasant or nerve-racking or it’s just so big that it’s daunting. If this applies to you, break it down into smaller but relevant tasks. It will get you in the zone and keep you on track.

And if you are trying all these tricks and you’re just not staying on plan, take a break. You probably need it! Clean your desk or go for a walk but only for a specific amount of time and when you come back, tackle that job first. Okay so that’s technically 4 tips.

Remember: Don’t get distracted with small, easy and unimportant jobs that just keep you busy! If the task you’re doing doesn’t move you towards your goal, it can wait.

Your turn.

Do you have tips to beat procrastination before it takes hold or do you just go with it?

The Copy Detective

Subscribe to The Copy Detective to get each new post delivered straight to your inbox. In secret of course.

Image thanks to comedy_nose (Flickr)

A little bit of magic from Belinda (The Copy Detective)

Belinda is an seo copywriter and marketing copywriter who confidently walks the line between writing effective copy and creating an engaging brand personality. You don’t have to choose between them! Oh and she's also The Copy Detective.

• Google + • Facebook • Twitter

Did you like this post?

Get each new mystery delivered straight to your inbox! Pop your details below and you'll also get 20 incredibly useful copywriting tips that will transform the way you write about your business.

For free. For real.

http://www.secretsecretary.com.au Shauna, Secret Secretary

Well said! I’ve been procrastinating for the past hour!
- http://www.copywritematters.com.au Belinda (The Copy Detective)
  
  It happens to us all Shauna and for me, it’s usually when I’m busiest!
http://www.bridiestypingservices.com Bridie Jenner

Sometimes it’s always worse for me when I’ve got a deadline approaching….

The way I handle it is to take frequent breaks – whether to make tea, check my social media pages or have a quick stroll round the garden – I find it helps just to take five minutes out every couple of hours without making me feel guilty about it!
- http://www.copywritematters.com.au Belinda (The Copy Detective)
  
  That’s a great approach Bridie and something I do as well (as a fan of The Pomodoro Technique). If I know I am avoiding a particular task, I try and enjoy a luscious break with the proviso that I come back and get it out of the way. I’ve got to bribe and trick myself!
http://www.wordmistress.com.au Gina Lofaro aka the wordmistress

I relate 100%! I even procrastinated reading this blog post! And right now, I’m procrastinating over making lunch even though I’m hungry. Sometimes there’s just too much happening at once but isn’t it interesting how we rarely procrastinate about answering the phone? We are slaves to our phones!
- http://www.copywritematters.com.au Belinda (The Copy Detective)
  
  It’s hard to avoid procrastination when it’s kind of work related as well but they are the biggest traps (for me anyway). Although *ahem* thanks for spending a moment on this blog!
http://copybreak.com.au Anna @ Copybreak

Nice post Belinda.. and I do love a good “to do” list. I also like to get my big jobs completed first to make the rest of the day seem like it’s flying as you cross all the smaller jobs off (feeling extra satisfied that the big one at the top has a line through it!).
Oh.. and the next time you’re finding the vacuuming an appealing alternative, give me a call
- http://www.copywritematters.com.au Belinda (The Copy Detective)
  
  Getting the ugly stuff out of the way first really does set you free for the rest of the day but I don’t do it often enough! Do you use pen & paper for your To Do Lists or something fancier? I use Teux Deux and find it such a pleasure. Although I become unstuck if I lose connectivity!
http://copybreak.com.au Anna @ Copybreak

I’m an old-fashioned kinda gal and use pen & paper.. and try to keep it in my diary (also good ol’ paper).

I did have a desktop ‘To Do’ application, but would have to flick between windows to see it. My diary, on the other hand, sits there staring accusingly at me, relentlessly reminding me of what I need to get done. It works a treat!
http://www.katetoon.com Kate Toon

Fab post. I do exactly what you suggest even though it’s a huge struggle to do the ‘boring stuff first’. I’m an admin lover so will spend the better part of the day doing invoicing, follow up emails, tidying my desk, rearranging my pens, sorting my paper clips (by size, colour, weight and mood). Then I do my to do list. Then I do it again with a nicer pen. Then I get a cup of tea (and a biscuit), have a wee, put some washing on, walk the dog, do the recycling.

THEN I start writing.

And don’t me started on Facebook and Twitter – Total ‘life eaters’. The only place I can get anything really serious done, is the local cafe that thankfully has no internet.
http://www.wordish.com Krissy

Procrastinators unite! I’m guilty too. Usually I find if I’m procrastinating about something it’s because I don’t have all the info I need to get started. I’ll contact someone for more info, or do a bit of preliminary research. When I’m a bit more familiar with the task I can usually jump straight into it. Usually

I also attack the treadmill or rowing machine too. That helps to give me a bit of focus.

Great post Belinda!
- http://www.copywritematters.com.au Belinda (The Copy Detective)
  
  Getting blood going with some exercise is a great tip Krissy – thanks for sharing it! It’s one of those things that I procrastinate against doing (haha) but when I actually do something active I find my mind cleared and my enthusiasm renewed. And it’s much easier to tackle unwanted jobs with your energy up. Thanks again for commenting!
http://www.ftaustore.com Gavin

Well my procrastination was awful recently because of such a huge workload and never enough time to get everything done. My solutions:

1) put the work phone on do not disturb and only take calls on mobile between 10 – 11am and 2 – 3 pm. Amazing how much more I get done without interruptions
2) To do list for everyone who works for me with a 10 minute discussion about what needs to be done so they all have work to do for up to 4 hours at a time and are not constantly checking what needs to be done next
3) Stop smoking – I stopped ages ago and found this freed up plenty of time as I wasn’t watching the clock for when the next smoke was going to be
4) With no interruptions, I then bought a pair of wireless headphones and plugged them into laptop. Have a microphone on them so I can make skype calls (which I do alot of) and can listen to music. With music it seems to get my blood flowing and plenty gets done!

Great post belinda
- http://www.copywritematters.com.au Belinda (The Copy Detective)
  
  Isn’t it funny that the more we have to get done the more we feel the urge to do something unimportant! Thanks for leaving your tips Gavin. Keeping the workflow moving is important as interruptions can pull you right out of the zone and it’s so easy to get distracted from there….
http://www.makeyouradpay.com copywriting services

We all know, web copywriting is now becoming a big tree that holds the opportunities. We can easily say that it’s the thing which is taking copywriting ahead. And that’s what this site is providing. It’s really helpful. Go on try it. copywriting services
http://twitter.com/TashWord Tash Hughes

An old fashioned timer works well for me. I chose a time for a certain task, set the timer and work until it buzzes at me.

It’s amazing how much more productive I am with that tight deadline and I start quickly because I know time is limited for the task. I find it useful for hard and boring tasks (especially if I make the time short enough to feel manageable) plus it stops me spending too much time on some tasks (such as research and reading social media).

If I am working on a bigger project, I also use the timer for breaks – e.g. the timer goes once an hour so I walk away from my desk for a minute or two to stretch my legs. Otherwise it is too easy to sit for 4 hours and feel like a blob who hasn’t noticed the sunshine/rain!

Of course, for billable work it also help she keep track of my hours so that’s a bonus!
- http://www.copywritematters.com.au Belinda Weaver
  
  Hi Tash. I agree with your tight deadline theory. There is nothing quite like an approaching deadline to focus the brain!
  
  I use another technique that is much the one you mentioned – with the time. It’s called The Pomodoro technique and it breaks your day up into 25 minute chunks (called pomodoros). You work solidly on a single task, without distraction, for 25minutes then you have a 5 minute break. After you work for four “pomodoros” (2 hours) you take a longer break, say 30minutes long.
  
  The benefits are two-fold. As you mentioned, you take breaks to avoid becoming the blog. It also helps you focus your mind on one task without distraction.
  
  I need to use it for non-billable work more often as I often focus on my attention on billable then let myself faff about when it’s my time. Thanks for your comment!

Subscribe Today!

Pop your details below to get each blog post delivered PLUS 20 incredibly useful copywriting tips that will transform the way you write about your business.

The Copy Detective also writes for…

Belinda Weaver on Australian Businesswoman Network

Belinda Weaver on Grassroots Internet Strategy

Be a guest blogger!

We'd love to have you but before before we all get too excited, check out these guidelines.