If you finally want to beat procrastination, put these 10 little hacks into practice

Yes, you really can beat procrastination by using these strategies.

A woman rests her head on one hand while intently stacking paper cups into a pyramid on a desk. She appears focused, with a laptop and phone nearby. The setting is a mix of casual and work environment.

Procrastination can be a tough habit to break, but it’s not impossible. With the right strategies and mindset, you can overcome this productivity killer and actually get things done. These 10 practical hacks will help you take control of your time and energy, allowing you to accomplish more and feel better about yourself in the process.

1. Make your first bite a small one.

A woman with long blonde hair is sitting in a modern office, looking intently at a laptop screen. She is wearing a beige blazer over a white top. Her hand is near her chin, and there are large windows in the background.

The 5-minute rule, a cognitive behavioral therapy technique, can be a game-changer for procrastinators. The concept is beautifully simple: commit to working on a task for just five minutes. No pressure to finish, no expectations beyond those initial moments.

What makes this technique so effective? Often, the most challenging part of any task is simply getting started. Setting such a low bar helps you bypass the mental resistance that leads to procrastination. Interestingly, once you’ve begun, you’ll likely find yourself naturally continuing beyond those initial five minutes.

Momentum plays a crucial role in this technique. It’s akin to pushing a boulder down a hill—the first push requires the most effort, but once it’s rolling, maintaining that momentum becomes much easier. So, when facing a daunting task, remember that committing to just five minutes can lead to surprising results.

2. Do the tiniest tasks straight away.

A person placing a white plate into the lower rack of an open dishwasher, which contains other clean dishes and cutlery. Kitchen cabinets and countertops are visible in the background.

Productivity guru David Allen popularized a game-changing concept in his book “Getting Things Done” known as the Two-Minute Rule. The premise is refreshingly straightforward: if a task will take two minutes or less to complete, do it immediately.

Several factors make this rule a powerful procrastination-buster. Firstly, it prevents small tasks from accumulating and becoming overwhelming. Secondly, it provides a series of quick wins throughout the day, boosting motivation and a sense of accomplishment. Lastly, it keeps your to-do list lean and manageable, reducing stress and decision fatigue.

Implementing this rule might involve immediately responding to a quick email, filing away a document, or making a brief phone call you’ve been putting off. Tackling these mini-tasks head-on not only clears your plate but also builds a habit of action over hesitation.

Remember, productivity isn’t always about conquering big tasks; consistently handling little things right away can make a significant difference.

3. Try time blocking.

A person is vacuuming a carpeted floor in a bedroom with a blue bed and white bedding in the background. The individual is wearing a light blue shirt, beige pants, and dark slippers. The vacuum cleaner is black with a long, flexible hose.

Picture your day as a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with purposeful strokes of productivity. That’s the essence of time blocking—a technique involving the assignment of specific tasks to predetermined time slots in your schedule.

Time blocking proves particularly effective because it eliminates the constant decision-making that can lead to procrastination. Instead of wondering what to do next, you simply follow your pre-planned schedule. It’s like having a personal assistant who’s already figured out the best use of your time.

Additionally, this method helps you be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day. Allocating specific time slots to tasks forces you to prioritize and set achievable goals. It also creates a sense of urgency because knowing you only have a certain amount of time for a task increases your likelihood of focusing and avoiding distractions.

4. Don’t fall at the last hurdle.

A woman sits at a desk in an office, looking thoughtfully out the window. She holds a pair of glasses in one hand and has a laptop, a coffee cup, a potted plant, and office supplies on the desk. Shelves with folders and plants are visible in the background.

We’ve all experienced it: you’re almost done with a task but decide to leave that final bit for tomorrow. This seemingly innocent decision can actually cost you more time and energy in the long run.

Breaking up a task, especially near the end, causes you to lose the momentum and context you’ve built up. Returning to it later means reacquainting yourself with where you left off, essentially starting over mentally. This restart process can consume valuable time and mental energy.

Moreover, unfinished tasks have a way of lingering in our minds, creating mental clutter and stress. Pushing through to completion frees up mental space and provides a sense of accomplishment that can boost your motivation for tackling the next task.

The next time you’re tempted to leave that last 10% for later, remember that a little extra effort now can save you a lot of hassle later. Finish strong and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

5. Clear ALL distractions.

A person is working at a sleek wooden desk with a large computer monitor displaying a blank white screen. One hand is using a stylus on a drawing tablet, while the other hand is typing on a white keyboard. The workspace is well-lit with natural light.

In our hyper-connected world, distractions are omnipresent. These silent productivity killers constantly vie for our attention and derail our focus. The solution? Create an environment that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to get distracted.

Start by turning off your phone or using apps that block all but essential functions. Consider putting it in another room if necessary. Silence notifications on your computer and close unnecessary browser tabs. If you’re working from home, designate a workspace away from the TV and other temptations.

While this approach might seem extreme, it’s about creating a cocoon of focus. Without constant pings and visual cues pulling your attention away, you’ll find it easier to dive deep into your work.

Although it might feel uncomfortable at first, stick with it, and you’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish in distraction-free bursts.

6. Get a virtual accountability partner.

A woman wearing headphones sits at a desk with a laptop. She is writing in a notebook, focused on her work. A shelf with books and binders is in the background.

Struggling to stay on task? Welcome to the world of virtual accountability. Platforms like Focusmate pair you with another person who also has work to complete. You both log on, briefly share your goals, and then work silently side-by-side via video chat.

This setup harnesses the power of social accountability. Knowing someone else is ‘watching’ (even if they’re focused on their own work) can be a powerful motivator to stay on task. It’s comparable to having a gym buddy, but for productivity.

The flexibility of this system is one of its greatest strengths. You can schedule sessions when you need them most, whether it’s for tackling that dreaded report or finally organizing your inbox. The brief check-ins at the start and end of each session provide a natural structure to your work time. It’s a simple yet effective way to transform solitary work into a shared experience, making procrastination much harder to justify.

7. Use an effective reward system.

A woman with long dark hair sits at a wooden table, smiling while using a fork to eat a slice of cake topped with berries. She wears a white sweater and holds a cup with her other hand. A blue napkin rests on the table beside her. The background is softly blurred.

Rewards can serve as powerful motivators, but the key lies in finding what truly drives you. Some individuals are motivated by big rewards for major accomplishments, while others prefer small, frequent rewards for consistent effort. The critical factor is making the reward meaningful to you personally.

Perhaps it’s treating yourself to your favorite coffee after completing a challenging task, or allowing yourself an episode of your favorite show after a productive work session. Ensure the reward is proportional to the task, meaning don’t promise yourself a week-long vacation for answering a few emails!

The goal is to create positive associations with task completion. Over time, this can help rewire your brain to view work as something rewarding rather than something to avoid. Just be sure to follow through with your rewards—empty promises won’t motivate anyone, least of all yourself.

8. Create task sequences.

A woman with dark hair tied in a bun is kneeling on a grey carpet in a living room, organizing clothes from cardboard boxes. She is wearing a white blouse and blue jeans. The room has modern furniture, including a lamp, a TV, and a grey sofa.

Human beings are creatures of habit, and we can leverage this tendency to combat procrastination. Linking tasks together in a sequence allows us to use the momentum of completing one task to propel us into the next.

Consider your daily routines. Perhaps you always make coffee first thing in the morning. Why not use that habit as a launching pad for a task you’ve been putting off? You could decide to make that difficult phone call right after finishing your coffee. Or maybe tack on a quick decluttering session after dinner but before settling down to relax.

Be sure to sandwich the procrastination-prone task between two activities you already do regularly. This approach reduces reliance on willpower alone. Instead, you’re using the natural flow of your day to your advantage. It’s like creating a productivity domino effect, where completing one task naturally leads to the next.

9. Just do it.

A person wearing glasses and a plaid shirt sits at a desk, looking at a laptop. They rest their chin on their hand, appearing thoughtful. A glass of water is nearby, and a bright window curtain is in the background.

Sometimes, the most effective way to overcome procrastination is to simply dive in. We often build tasks up in our minds, making them seem more daunting than they actually are. However, once we start, we usually find it’s not as bad as we imagined.

This approach involves overriding your brain’s tendency to overthink and delay. Rather than listening to that voice saying “I’ll do it later” or “I’m not ready yet,” take immediate action. Start typing that email, make that phone call, or begin organizing that messy drawer.

The beauty of this method lies in its ability to bypass the mental resistance that leads to procrastination. Jumping straight into action doesn’t give your brain time to conjure up excuses. Once you’re in motion, it becomes easier to keep going.

10. Go easy on yourself.

A man with a short, brown hair and a beard, wearing a light purple t-shirt, sits indoors with a pensive expression, resting his head on his hand. The background is dimly lit with a warm light bulb visible.

While it might seem counterintuitive, beating yourself up over procrastination often backfires. Harsh self-criticism can lead to negative emotions, which in turn can increase the likelihood of future procrastination. It’s a vicious cycle that’s challenging to break.

Instead, try practicing self-compassion. Acknowledge that procrastination is a common struggle and doesn’t define your worth or abilities. When you do procrastinate, avoid dwelling on it. Gently redirect your focus to the task at hand.

This kinder approach can actually boost your productivity in the long run. When you’re not weighed down by guilt and self-recrimination, you’re more likely to approach tasks with a positive attitude.

The goal here is progress, not perfection. Every step forward, no matter how small, deserves celebration. Becoming your own cheerleader rather than your harshest critic creates an internal environment conducive to productivity and personal growth.