What is procrastination and how can I stop procrastinating?

Everyone procrastinates at some point in their life. By avoiding their to-do list and doing something different instead. Procrastination can mean doing something meaningless and counterproductive such as wasting time on your phone. Or procrastination can refer to putting off a task to do something productive but less urgent, such as cleaning your bedroom. But the good news is that reading this is a step in the right direction to kicking the habit to the curb!

 But to understand how to overcome procrastination, we must first understand why people procrastinate. And the experts have a pretty good understanding of why.

 We procrastinate when we find a task difficult, unpleasant, or stressful. Also, if the task is overwhelming or causes anxiety, our brain automatically thinks it is easier to avoid it. Furthermore, scientists have found that some people procrastinate because they have low self-esteem.

 But how can you stop procrastinating?

1.   Learn why you are procrastinating.

It's not unusual to procrastinate on small, mundane jobs. If you find yourself distracted from completing these kinds of tasks, it's self-explanatory as to why. It's because they're not very exciting or fulfilling.

However, if you’re procrastinating from something more important, such as applying for a graduate job, that is a bit more of a cause for concern.

In the case of searching for a graduate job, you might be procrastinating because you have self-doubt. Maybe you have been rejected and that has knocked your self-confidence. Or perhaps you are putting it off because you're worried about the application process.

In either case, let us help. We understand that securing a graduate job is no easy feat. It's confusing, daunting and requires a lot of motivation. So, if you are flagging, send us an email and we'd be happy to lend an ear, hear your struggles and offer our assistance. We can help you get the experience you need to secure a role in marketing. As well as allowing you to build your confidence by putting your expertise into a real-life working environment.

2. Manage burnout.

Burnout often leads to procrastination. Our advice to avoid this is to take regular breaks, allow yourself to do something you enjoy for 15 minutes. Once you have given yourself this time to recharge, you'll be less likely to be distracted during your work time.

3. Consider what is distracting you.

Is it TikTok? YouTube? Twitter? We find that when we're procrastinating, we're often reaching for our phones. A helpful hack is to put it out of sight, when you can't see it on your desk, you'll be less likely to reach for it. Because before you know it, checking an email has turned into 40 minutes of endlessly scrolling through social media.

4. Set Goals

A reason why we procrastinate is that we feel like the tasks we have are too daunting. When setting any kind of goal, you need to make sure they are SMART. Setting objectives such as "send my digital portfolio to 40 potential employers before lunch" will make you feel overwhelmed and you will avoid it. Instead, set manageable goals, recognise and reward yourself once you achieve your goal!

5. Prioritise Tasks

And finally, knowing what you want to achieve will put you one step closer to achieving your goals.

So, when you write your daily to-do list, prioritise your tasks. As this will give you a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

Labelling all your tasks in order of importance to least important, you'll be able to calmly approach your day without feeling overwhelmed.

Moreover, a physical to-do list invites you to cross off a task once it's done. This act of crossing it off the list is incredibly satisfying and will make you feel proud of everything you have achieved!

Let us help you get a graduate job...

If your job search is something that you have been procrastinating, then it is time to let us help.

Send us an email to introduce yourself, we'd love to have a chat and get to know you better.