HOW TO GET MOTIVATED AND STOP PROCRASTINATING

 

Procrastination means delaying or postponing a task or a set of tasks. It tends to reflect a person's struggle with self-control. This happens to everyone at some point of their lives. When we procrastinate, we often avoid doing certain tasks because we believe we would not enjoy doing it. 

HOW TO INCREASE ENERGY

• Practice sleep hygiene: This may include sleeping and waking up early and having a constant sleeping routine, turning off all electronics before going to bed, having tea before sleeping, meditating, listening to slow and sleepy music before bed, only using bed to sleep, and setting alarms if you generally find it hard to wake up on time by yourself. On an average, 8 hours of sleep is necessarily recommended to everyone.
• Personally, caffeine helps me a lot in dealing with a busy day. Though, it is not recommended to people who are generally anxious.
• Starting a day with a good work-out can be the best way to remain energetic throughout the day. 
• Eating nutritious food, which includes taking all necessary vitamins and minerals.
• Cold showers are always good for the body, and also helps the body and the mind in staying active.

BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES

• To-do list: Making a list of all pending tasks can help you remain focused. You can stick the list on a wall or in front of your desk, so that you constantly get to see all the tasks that are still left.
• Find out when you are best efficient to do certain things. For example, maybe you have a good workout on your to-do list, look for the time that best suits your workout session. 
• Write down your personal missions. For example, I have "helping people" in my missions list. So, I will think about how I can do this, maybe through charity or by helping a friend in making a decision. 
• Do what you usually like doing. Always take out time to practice your hobbies. For example, no matter how busy my week days get, I would still take out some time to practice or listen to new music.
• Always go back to what gives you pain, and don't run from them. Completing a math project can be quite a mission, but remember the feeling you'll get when you cross out a task from your to-do list.
• Set smaller goals, and give your 100% to it. For example, focusing on completing only two tasks for a day, but still putting enough efforts into them.
• Don't forget to treat yourself after all the hard work. For example, if I complete all my pending assignments for the week, I give myself a day to relax and have fun.

COGNITIVE STRATEGIES

• Always looking forward to becoming a better and stronger version of yourself is very important. Many people don't focus on that anymore because of the new-age idea of "love yourself". Regardless of how necessary loving oneself is, never stop improving yourself. Keep working on your self and keep directing yourself towards your purpose.
• See the positives in every task. It is often difficult to do so, but as you get in a habit of doing so, everything you do will become much more easier for you. For instance, maintaining a healthy diet could be pretty hard, but think of how it is positively affecting your body at the same time.
• Mindfulness: Mindfulness is all about being in the present. Whatever you do, do it with all your focus and energy, be it washing the dishes, writing an essay for school, brushing your teeth, eating, etc. As you learn to be fully in the present, you naturally find it easier to deal with stress caused by all pending things you have to complete.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Procrastination kills creativity, but at the same time, remember that you don't always have to regret the time you spent having fun. It is always good to take a break and give yourself time to relax and breathe. It is okay to procrastinate sometimes! We all do it, after all. You do not need to push yourself into become the most un-problematic person. You do not always need to have your life together. We are not all winners in terms of achievement.