If procrastination is preventing you from reaching your goals, timelines, and due dates it might be time to develop a new strategy. Procrastination is usually the result of overwhelm; if you think something might take longer than expected or you just don’t know where to start, the activity or project is much more likely to be put off. Breaking apart larger projects into smaller tasks can really help you get one step ahead, and its a valuable skill for tackling the next objective.
Microtasking has been explained in great detail by Steve Pavlina in his article on Microtasks . The article explains how focusing on just the next step can keep you going towards the end of the process with much less effort than thinking of the end itself.
Visualizing the end is a great strategy when you’re confident and motivated to get the job done. But what happens if you’re less confident and even uninspired?
Sometimes you just need to get going on that first important step until the rest starts to flow. If you’ve been having trouble finishing a project lately, try using any of the following strategies and tips in microtasking, and boost your productivity:
Develop an intentions list at the beginning of the day.
Sometimes acknowledging your intention to do something can quickly turn into action. Write down what you intend to do at the beginning of the day—even if you think you might not do it—and then move ahead with the most interesting to you. It’s a simple way to get started on your to-do list with very little ‘direct’ effort.
Break down large projects into explicit details and steps.
This can take you anywhere from five minutes to 30 minutes, but the idea is to make yourself aware of exactly what it will take. After that, you can ‘see’ the blueprint right in front of you; and assess how much time it might take you to complete each one. Just having this mapped out in front of you can help you get going and motivate you to check each activity off the list when completed.
Make a list of action verbs for your list.
Consider this a set of instructions to yourself, a way to follow directions to keep yourself on track. Use solid words such as ‘publish’, ‘brainstorm,’ ‘write,’ ‘describe’, and ‘refine’ to give you a sense of movement and activity for each step.
Microtasking comes naturally to computer programmers and web developers, simply because most projects are completed using the same process. Process trees, GANTT charts, and other organizational tools can keep projects on track and moving ahead on a timely basis. Still, you don’t need a computer science background to develop some of the same valuable habits, and can learn how to think about your tasks and activities in the same way. Just start thinking along the lines of breaking down and identifying each element of your project; it’s a much quicker way to get through your most toughest assignments!
What are some other tips that help you with keeping up your productivity and getting through tasks you’re procrastinating? Share them below!
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lol – procrastination, ughh…
it’s a poison we all have and are constantly trying to rid of…for many of us, me included – it gets the best of us, even completely destroys some
we are just inundated with life, media, and everything else happening around our universe…it’s just a matter of finding the right balance for your situation.
but the 4 tips you mentioned are very good ones though!
Hey Sabah, Nice post. I actually do the first two sections all the time. I just do it, I don
This is great advice for the weary souls who cannot break the cycle of procrastination (like myself). Doing little bits of a project really add up and when you come to a deadline you will realize almost everything is done and it just needs to all get put together.