At the computer, procrastination can cost you both time and money. You have to spend money on things like an Internet connection, computer, and electricity to use them. Though unpleasant, some jobs must not be allowed to accumulate. You will destroy your health, fortune, and reputation if you procrastinate indefinitely.
If you want to put an end to procrastination, consider these ten suggestions.
Firstly, before you even sit down, prioritize what you consider to be urgent, important, neither, and urgent again. (What does it matter if a ‘urgent’ work isn’t actually important and the deadline passes?) In most cases, a ‘urgent and vital’ activity should take precedent over a merely “important” one. If you have a bad recall like I do, it may help to jot down your top five priorities for the meeting, then cross off what you don’t need to do.
Assuming all other factors remain constant, you should prioritize quick and simple jobs before those that take a long time to complete. Never let time spent at your computer go to waste without doing actual work.
Third, you should prioritize your own needs and concerns as much as possible. There are tyrants in the world who believe their every whim can and should be enforced, and they hold positions of authority over their employees, peers, and clients. Master the art of the polite “No” There’s a chance they won’t like it, especially at first. It’s okay, though; you’ll develop eventually.
As a rule of thumb, it’s better to ask for assistance with your task right away than to wait. If you don’t succeed right away, keep trying later on; your odds of success will improve. A delay could cause the bomb to detonate before its scheduled time.
5 You’re just doing your own business, checking your inbox, database, and memos, when suddenly a slew of new jobs surface. It’s human nature to tackle the most pressing tasks first. Don’t. Drop it where it belongs on your list.
Sixth Question: Are you easily sidetracked? It’s important to keep this in mind and to remember when certain things need to be completed.
Is it morning, noon, or night when you feel the most creative and energetic? In light of this new information, can you adjust your goals? Or do you just kind of slog through life? No matter if you’re a tortoise or a hare, if you set your sights on a goal and work toward it methodically, you can eventually reach your destination.
Relish your downtime; number eight is not to forego them. Please slow down a bit. However, if you don’t limit the length of time spent on breaks, activities such as web browsing, idle conversation, and daydreaming can eat away at productive time. When you’re in a hurry, you don’t give your all, and the work you do shows that.
Don’t take too long of a break for lunch, and don’t gorge yourself. Even if you have a to-do list as long as your arm, it’s easy to put things off until tomorrow if you’re feeling sluggish or distracted by a hangover, a full stomach, or a lack of motivation.
If you manage to do everything on time, reward yourself. Any sweet treat will do; chocolate is not required. When you deserve a treat, give it to yourself immediately.
You may increase your free time and your overall satisfaction with computers in 2006 and beyond by implementing these strategies for avoiding procrastination at the computer (and elsewhere).
