Whatever your reason for procrastination, it's important to realize that it is detrimental to your career. Just as you learned the habit of putting things off, you also have to learn the habit of getting things done when they need to be done. Although it may seem daunting at first, it is entirely possible to learn new habits and increase your productivity in the workplace, as well as in life.
If your procrastination stems from the task itself, try scheduling your unpleasant task early in the day, and give yourself a reward upon its completion. Have to write a 10-page memo? Do it early in the morning, and when you're done, take a trip to Starbucks for a chai tea latte with extra whipped cream.
You can also try breaking big projects into numerous smaller projects. Instead of setting aside a whole day to work on something, try setting aside an hour a day for eight days. This will make projects seem less overwhelming and make you more likely to start working on them.
Also, learn to listen to your body and identify your own personal peaks. For example, some people are more energetic and focused at the beginning of the week. If you're one of these people, you should schedule time to work on your more important tasks on Mondays or Tuesdays. Others are more productive under a little stress and work better at the end of the week when they have to wrap things up. If this sounds familiar, try scheduling your most important tasks for Thursdays or Fridays.
If your procrastination stems from your work environment, try giving your office a makeover. Remove anything from your desk that might distract you. This could include a stack of magazines, a bowl of candy, your purse, your cell phone, etc. Clean your work space so that you can focus on work while you are at work. In addition, tell your friends and family to refrain from calling you and/or emailing you during work hours. There's plenty of time outside of the office for wasting time. During the eight hours each day you are at your desk, you should aim to be as productive as possible.
If your procrastination stems from a bad working relationship with a task assigner, go over the task in great detail before you get started on it and make a comprehensive list of any and all questions you have about the task. Then, set up an appointment with the other person to discuss the questions. This way, you will limit your contact with the person to one meeting instead of having to approach him or her every time you come across something that needs clarification.
Procrastination can leave you feeling tired and demoralized as your tasks continue to pile up in your to-do box, but you have the power to put a stop to these feelings. Once you learn new habits to replace the old ones, you'll find that productivity not only makes your bosses happy but also makes you feel pretty good, too.
