If you’re not sure if this title refers to you, check out 7 Signs You’re a Type A Procrastinator and then use these 7 tips to get the most out of your procrastination.
So, you’re a Type A Procrastinator. It’s stressful and awful, but there are ways to get around it and still be productive! Being a Type A Procrastinator myself, I have tested and proven each one of the methods that I am about to share with you.
Without further ado, I give you, 7 Ways to Conquer your Type A Procrastination:
1. Break your big tasks into smaller pieces.
Those glorious to-do lists usually give you the bigger tasks that need to get done, but if you break them down, it makes each task much easier.
For example, if you want to clean your room (monumental task), break that down into: clean the closet, clean under the bed, organize dresser, etc.
And if those tasks are still too big, which for me they usually are, break them down into sections. Break down cleaning your closet into: go through clothes and organize shoes; make them separate tasks that can be completed on different days.
If a task can’t be broken down into smaller tasks then take it section by section. Maybe you organize just one dresser drawer today and to the next one tomorrow. Bite sized pieces are easier to chew.
2. Blast music.
I’m talking hip-shaking, arms flailing music. If you crank the volume on your favorite tunes it will motivate you to keep moving and discourage you from taking a seat and flipping through that photo album you found from 10 years ago.
3. Make your tasks part of your schedule.
If you treat your to-do list items like appointments that you have to keep, you’re more likely to get them done.
I’m not saying you should miss out on that concert or girls’ night out, but if you make those bite sized tasks part of your daily grind, you’ll get them done in no time.
4. Don’t wait for a day off.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT put off your whole to-do list for your day off. That list is only getting longer by the day and that is definitely not abiding by rule number 1.
You also don’t want to spend your day off elbow deep in dish soap when you could be indulging yourself in some much needed me-time.
5. Recruit help.
Call up your friends and blast music together while you clean side-by-side. Or call on someone who lives with you.
Pro tip: A great way to recruit help is by offering to feed your helper. The prospect of free food is usually too great a temptation to resist.
It’s the least you can do for the friend who is elbow deep in your dirty dishes… Maybe use paper plates for that food you promised.
6. Put your phone down.
It’s so easy to pick up your phone and scroll through your social media, but put it down. Put it on Do Not Disturb if you have to, but put it down.
And resist the urge to check it every few minutes.
7. Limit your break time.
Giving yourself designated breaks it makes it easier to get through your tasks. But limit that break time to about 5 or 10 minutes. Any longer than that and you’ll lose all motivation to do anything.
If you’re anything like me, breaks just interrupt your flow. If you’re the kind of person that picks up momentum as you get your tasks done, then don’t stop. Just make sure you set an alarm for meal times, because eating is important.
Now stop procrastinating and go tackle that task you’ve been putting off by looking up ways to be more productive.
