How to finally get productivity to beat procrastination

‘That can wait till next week.’

Sure, it can. But that means you’ll most likely be in exactly the same place next week as you are right now.

It’s a comfortable place, though, right? You’re content where you are and not ready to start… simply because you’re unsure when you will finish – or what the result will be.

We’re all guilty of doing it, myself included – I’d be lying if I didn’t feel a bit hypocritical right now. It’s not a great feeling, but at least it’s giving me the boost to achieve one of my goals today, and that is exactly why I’ve committed to cleaning my washing machine once I’ve logged off for the day. Glamorous, I know.

Are you struggling with the confines of procrastination?

Lean on your support system, find yourself a ‘pro-buddy’, and give each other that friendly push you’ll need every so often. If you’re like me, then you’ll avoid telling people what you’ve set out to achieve, you won’t tell people about that exciting interview you’ve got later this week, and you won’t let people hype you up through the journey, which is just an avoidable shame.

You don’t tell people because you don’t want to admit that it didn’t go well, but that also means that you don’t have their insight leading up to that event, and afterwards, you either won’t have their comfort or the celebrations are left feeling a little tainted.

You don’t have to let everyone into everything in your life, but opening up to one person is far more gratifying than doing it alone… and a whole lot less scary than letting the whole world in.

It costs nothing to be kind, so why are we so brutal on ourselves?

Sometimes, we think little of ourselves while holding ourselves to the highest standards. So, this is your friendly reminder to be kind to yourself.

Reward your progress, no matter how big or small. Each step forward is a step closer to where you want to be, and that is why, after completing the gruelling task of cleaning every nook and cranny of my washing machine, I will be curling up to watch the Lizzie McGuire movie with a tub of ice cream for dinner while I sing along into the spoon with my pro-buddy, who will be wholly outside their comfort zone but celebrating alongside me nonetheless.

This brings me oh so smoothly to my final point, which some of you may not like:

Expand your comfort zone.

I don’t recommend continuously stepping out of your comfort zone; that’s just asking for a miserable life.

Expanding though? Absolutely. Learn to lean into all the possibilities that pass you by daily, and I promise you will flourish. Pick something new on the menu, try a different book genre, visit a different coffee shop, and mix up your daily routine a little.

You don’t have to do it all at once, break everything down into smaller tasks to complete one at a time. It’s just like breathing, one breath in, one breath out – you can’t do more than that.

An on-brand example would be when you apply for a new role. The application process can be intimidating, but when you’re dealing with a recruitment agency, they are there to support you and remind you not just of the closing date but of your capabilities, too. We will advise, guide, and answer questions without judgment. No question is a stupid question; trust me. I have tried and tested this an alarming amount over the years.

Same with interviews, we are there to support, and sadly for us, the more applications you fill out, the more interviews you go on, the less you may need us.

Do you know why? You’ve taken step after step, found your support system, expanded your comfort zone, and hopefully, been kind to yourself each step and stumble off the way.