Can’t Stop Procrastination? Try These 4 Hacks 

Blog > Can’t Stop Procrastination? Try These 4 Hacks 
Karin
Written by
Karin Andrea Stephan

Entrepreneur, Senior Leader & Ecosystem Builder with a degrees in Music, Psychology, Digital Mgmt & Transformation. Co-founder of the Music Factory and Earkick. Life-long learner with a deep passion for people, mental health and outdoor sports.

Tired of putting things off all the time? If you’re a master of the dreadful creature called procrastination you know what we’re talking about – that sneaky little monster that makes you postpone things until the last possible second, causing you unnecessary stress and panic. We feel you, because it happens to all of us and we better find some fun ways to outsmart it head-on.

Female student frustrated with her constant procrastination, sitting at her desk full of to-dos.
Student frustrated with her constant procrastination, sitting at her desk full of to-dos.

So here we go.

Catch The Reasons Red-Handed

Even if you feel like you can’t stop procrastinating, knowing the reasons behind what makes you do it over and over again can make all the difference.

Let’s break it down:

You’re in Overwhelm Mode 

Sometimes, we have so many tasks piled up that it feels like we’re drowning in a sea of responsibilities. When that happens, our brains tend to freeze, and we find ourselves unable to start anything. 

Overwhelmed, stressed female student holds hands in annoyance, feels pressure from others and procrastination raising.
Overwhelmed, stressed female student holds hands in annoyance, feels pressure from others, procrastination

Your Counterstrike – Hack #1

Try breaking your tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Think of it as slicing a hot pizza into snackable portions.

By taking it one step at a time, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can make progress and get things done. You’ll be on a roll in no time!

You’re Caught in the Starting Struggle 

You have a general idea of what needs to be done but you struggle to figure out where to begin or how to execute it. Maybe you even get caught up in planning every little detail before taking action, but never getting started.

Procrastination example: Young man cruising through room on skateboard instead of starting with tasks he made a meticulous list for
Young man cruising through room on skateboard instead of starting with tasks he made a meticulous list for

You’re Secret Weapon – Hack #2

Start with what’s easy! You don’t always have to complete tasks in a linear order. Find a not-too-intimidating entry point and dive in. As you go along, you can fill in the gaps and tackle the trickier parts. Easy-peasy, right?

You Stepped into the Perfectionism Trap 

Ah, perfectionism! It’s like a double-edged sword. While it’s great to strive for excellence, aiming for perfection can sometimes paralyze you with anxiety. 

Your Trick to Loosen the Pressure Valve – Hack #3

Give yourself permission to create a “rough draft” of whatever you’re working on. Let the ideas flow, jot down an outline, or start with a portion of the task. The key is to get some momentum going. You can always refine and make it pretty later. Imperfection is beautiful too!

Procrastination example: Person arranging paperclips in a row displaying symptoms of perfectionism
Person arranging paperclips in a row displaying symptoms of perfectionism

You’re Singing the Boredom Blues

Let’s face it, not all tasks are thrilling or captivating or full of purpose. Some can be downright boring. And when you don’t see immediate positive results or find them personally valuable, it’s tough to muster the motivation to get them done. 

Your Hack to Deceive Your Brain – Hack #4

Pair an unfun task with something you genuinely enjoy or plan a reward for yourself afterward. Want to clean your room? Blast your favorite tunes while doing it! Need to run errands? Treat yourself to a delicious cup of your go-to coffee afterward. By tricking your brain into feeling fulfilled, you’ll find the motivation you need to tackle those less exciting tasks.

Procrastination example: Woman procrastinating in home office problem due to boring unfulfilling tasks
Procrastination example: Woman procrastinating in home office problem due to boring unfulfilling tasks

So, the next time procrastination comes knocking at your door, remember these handy tips:

  • Break tasks into smaller pieces to conquer overwhelm 🍕
  • Start with what’s easy and fill in the gaps later ⏳
  • Give yourself permission to embrace imperfection 😅
  • Trick your brain with rewards and enjoyable pairings 🎁

With these strategies in your arsenal, you’ll be able to wave procrastination good-bye and conquer your tasks like a boss! Remember, we’re all in this together. 

Now stop scrolling and go slay those to-do lists! You’ve got this.