How to Stop Procrastinating When Things Feel Hard or Scary - Tiny Buddha

“What you can get today, don’t postpone it until tomorrow,” says the vernacular. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work out on the job. Look here a lot of information – https://resumegets.com/resume-writers. If you keep putting things off, you have a problem. Procrastination is the technical term for procrastinating. We have tips on how to motivate yourself.

Just not in the mood for work or already procrastination?

In fact, you really wanted to do this urgent task today. Actually. But then something happened again. Like yesterday. And the day before yesterday. And the day before yesterday.

Everyone knows the feeling: Tomorrow is still another day. Sometimes you just don’t feel like doing a certain job or generally don’t feel like working. Another time there is a lack of concentration. Maybe you find it difficult to get excited about the office again even after a relaxing holiday. All of this happens. However, if procrastination takes over and occurs for no real reason, it is called procrastination. And that can make your working life pretty difficult.

At a glance: What is procrastination?

The term procrastination is derived from the Latin verb “procrastinare”, which means “to adjourn”. It describes the pathological postponement of arising work and primarily affects people who have to organize their work themselves. Often those affected by this work disorder are under great stress, symptoms of stress and depression are common. In the worst case, those affected can lose their job or university place as a result of permanent procrastination.

Not only that tasks remain unfinished. At the same time, there is a permanent guilty conscience in the back of the head. And whoever procrastinates constantly, gradually becomes more and more tense. But there is a way out: It is possible to permanently cure procrastination.

Tips for self-motivation: How to do it

Self-mortification is not a solution to procrastination. Instead of blaming yourself, you should get to the bottom of the problem. Research the causes of procrastination. Why do you keep putting things off?

In the following we introduce you to four typical motivational robbers – and antidotes to defeat them, i.e. ways in which you can motivate yourself.

1. Motivation robber: fear

The task seems too difficult. You are afraid of making a mistake. That robs you of motivation and energy. Therefore, you postpone the task – and with it the possible error – before you.

How do I motivate myself? Such fear is usually more diffuse than clearly defined. As a countermeasure, make a few sober reflections: How likely is a mistake? What consequences would you have to expect? Some bugs belong to further development.

So, get on with the task. The more experience you gain, the less fear you will have. This increases your self-motivation on the job.

If you are absolutely not confident in the task and are afraid of serious consequences for your company, then ask your boss or a colleague for support.

2. Motivation robber: aimlessness

You don’t know where getting the job done is going. The ultimate goal is too far for you to see. Therefore, you cannot assess how important the task is. You lack the intrinsic motivation .

How do I motivate myself? This kind of lack of self-motivation in the job can occur when you take on small tasks in teams or work on someone. Exact briefings help to avoid aimlessness. Exchange ideas with project managers and colleagues about which cog represents your work in the entire machinery.

In some cases the individual value of a task is not easy to explain. Then you should try to get motivation from completing the respective task – and not look too far into the future: You should set yourself smaller goals.

3. Motivation robber: perfectionism

You want to do everything perfectly, preferably on the first try. From this you draw your self-motivation in the job. Perfectionism is closely linked to the fear of making a mistake .

Once you have the feeling that something is getting in the way of a one hundred percent result, your motivation is far from high. They’d rather postpone the task until next week.

How do I motivate myself? You should realize that perfection is an unrealistic goal . Because something can always be improved. And you usually only notice that afterwards. In addition, some factors that influence a result are simply out of your control.

Put your goals a little deeper and keep in mind that on-time completion also contributes to the success of a project. Find a way to motivate yourself with a small reward.

How to live with your procrastination - SpunOut.ie - Ireland's Youth Information Website

4. Motivation robber: incompatibility

Some tasks are simply annoying. You push them on because they don’t correspond to your own temperament or talents. Even if you overcome yourself, you cannot concentrate on your work.

How do I motivate myself? Bite the bullet. At least if you don’t get it too often. Not every task in the job is tailor-made for you.

You can of course ask colleagues whether you want to take on the unpopular job. After all, everyone has different preferences. And if you are lucky, your colleague will have fun doing exactly what you would like to give away.

More motivation at work: Small changes can make a big difference

By the way, putting off something from time to time is not a cause for concern. Sometimes it can even be helpful. For example, if there is a good chance that in the meantime you will receive valuable information that can improve the result of your work.

However, if it turns into procrastination and you have no motivation to work in the long term, you will not achieve your professional goals in the long term. Then you should definitely do something to motivate yourself at work. Sometimes even small changes can make a difference.

The following can help:

  • Make a priority list of the things you want to get done.
  • Then: start working through the list.
  • Think positively.
  • Understand the consequences if you don’t get the job done.
  • Divide a large task into several small ones.
  • Don’t undertake too much.
  • Reward yourself.

However, if a large part of your work consists of activities that you do not enjoy, you should neither procrastinate nor try your colleagues, but look for a new job, for example in our daily updated job exchange.