Your Quest: Slay the Procrastination Dragon
You step into the dark cave. Suddenly, white-hot eyes and the smell of sulfur greet you. The massive procrastination dragon roars, and you realize you’re in for the fight of your life.
Hello, fellow adventurer.
You have traveled far and wide in search of knowledge, and now you have come to me in search of the answer to a great question:
How can I slay the great dragon of procrastination dragon and become a true accomplishment hero?
Never fear, for I am here to help.
Procrastination can be a tough habit to break, but with these four simple tips, you can start seeing results and getting more done.
Try implementing one or all of these tactics into your daily routine, and see how much more productive you can be!
So, grab your sword and shield (and maybe a notepad), and let’s get started on your quest to vanquish procrastination!
Technique 1: Set Smaller Goals
When you have an enormous task ahead of you, it can be daunting and overwhelming. This often leads to procrastination, as we convince ourselves that we don’t have time to do the whole thing.
So how do you attack a dragon? One strategic strike at a time.
The same principle applies to goal setting. When you have a significant goal, break it down into smaller goals that you can complete.
For example, if your goal is to write a research paper, your smaller goals might be to write an outline, research five sources, and write one page per day.
When you have smaller goals, you can better track your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment as you check each one off your list. This will help keep you motivated to keep going until the task is complete.
Technique 2: Set a Time Limit
Another way to avoid getting overwhelmed by a task is to set a time limit for yourself. For example, if you need to write a paper, give yourself an hour to work on it. Once the time is up, take a five-minute break before starting again.
Setting a time limit will help you focus on the task at hand and prevent you from getting sidetracked. It can also help you work more efficiently since you know you only have a certain amount of time to get the job done.
If the dragon has the princess, you better get there before the clock runs out!
Technique 3: Remove Distractions
When you’re trying to focus on a task, distractions can be your worst enemy.
Whether it’s a notification on your phone, a colleague stopping by your desk, or just daydreaming, anything that takes your attention away from the task at hand can make it harder to get back on track.
To help you focus, remove any potential distractions from your environment.
This might mean putting your phone on silent, working in a quiet area, or closing the door to your office.
If there are certain tasks that you know are particularly distracting for you, try to do them at a time when you won’t be interrupted.
Stop staring at that gold under the dragon’s belly. It won’t matter if that fire-breathing dragon consumes you first!
Technique 4: Just Get Started
One of the hardest things about any task can be getting started. Once you get going, it’s usually not as bad as you thought it would be. But getting over that initial hump can be tough.
The dragon may look hefty, but once you charge in, you’ll find it’s not as big and bad as it seems.
One way to get started is to give yourself a specific goal for the day. For example, if your goal is to complete a house project that has been sitting unfinished for months, your plan for the day might be to gather all of the materials you need.
Once you have completed that goal, getting started on the actual project will be much easier.
Another way to get started is to do something that you know you can complete quickly. This will help build momentum and give you a sense of accomplishment to help you keep going.
For example, if you’re working on a presentation, start by creating the title slide. Once that’s done, you’ll be one step closer to completing the entire presentation.
Ready To Slay The Dragon?
Now that you have four tips to help you vanquish procrastination, it’s time to put them into action! Choose one or two of the techniques to focus on and see how they work for you.
Remember, slaying the dragon may get you burnt a time or two, but it’s worth it when you finally vanquish the beast and achieve your goal! Soon, you’ll find that procrastination dragon is no match for you!
What tips would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!
