Title - 10 tips to stop dilly-dallying
Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Create a (visible) to do list
2. Set a time frame
3. Be mindful present
4. Don't multitask
5. Divide and Conquer
6. Be accountable
7. Just do it
8. Take short breaks
9. Tweak your environment
10. Celebrate little successes
On Create a (visible) to do list
- Write down the things you have been putting off in a to-do list. Go through them and prioritise them according to urgency and importance.
- If you have a tendency to avoid checking your to do list, paste the list at strategic spots where you can be reminded on a daily basis.
On Set a time frame
- A to do list remains just that, if we do not set a time frame to complete the tasks.
On Be mindful present
- Put potential distractions far away, so you can be mindfully present for what you plan to do.
- Put away that phone if you must.
On Don't multitask
- It was found that multitasking greatly decreases performance at work, wastes time and is bad for the brain's cognitive control in the long term.
On Divide and conquer
- We sometimes procrastinate because a task is just too complex, and we do not know where or how to start.
- Divide a complex task into smaller achievable tasks before you conquer them little by little
On Be accountable
- It takes a lot of discipline to combat procrastination on your own. It is recommended that you look for a buddy to whom you will be answerable.
- This buddy will occasionally ask about your progress and put 'pressure' on you if you slack in the tasks you set out to do. If your buddy has his own set of gals, you can work to motivate one another.
On Just do it
- An effective way to start something you have been putting off is to allocate 10 minutes to concentrate fully on the task. Start small, before gradually increasing the amount of time for focused work.
On Take short breaks
- If you are really uninspired while working on a task, take short breaks to recharge. Do not even think about treating taking short breaks as an excuse to procrastinate further.
On Tweak your environment
- Your work space plays an important role in how you work towards starting and completing long over-due tasks. It will either spur you on or demotivate your completely.
- Check whether your work space is well ventilated, spacious, well lit and comfortable, then make the necessary adjustments.
On Celebrate little success
- Celebrate means to acknowledge the good work of a person and the milestones achieved along the way. For every task completed, why not treat yourself and your accountability buddy to a nice meal or movie, to keep you motivated to take on the next task?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
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