The Accountability Coach Guide To Stop Procrastinating
Procrastination is a trap that we have all fallen victim to at least once in our lives. Whether you aren’t motivated to do the task or find it tedious – procrastination can govern your inability to act - Leaving you unproductive and, in some cases, unsuccessful. Know you are not alone, and this battle is natural for everyone. An accountability coach can help move you into action and hold you liable for your habits, but in the meantime, we have some tips and tricks.
Is procrastination the same as laziness?
Laziness and procrastination and often used interchangeably. However, the two have vast differences. Procrastination involves choosing to do something else and getting off task, while laziness is apathy and unwillingness to engage. People who procrastinate ignore unpleasant tasks in favour of better ones. As an accountability coach, I see it time and time again, and the more people procrastinate – the more demotivated and disillusioned they become.
Overcoming procrastination
Like all things, overcoming procrastination takes time, energy and practice. The following steps devised by a habit coach will set you on the path for success:
Acknowledge that you are procrastinating
The first step in the productivity coach guide is admitting to yourself that you need to work on your procrastinating. If you avoid doing a task and constantly lose focus, then you are most likely a procrastinator.
Other signs of procrastination are:
Filling your day with low-priority tasks
Leaving something on your list of things to do for a long time
Sitting reading emails without deciding on what to reply
Starting a task and then go to make coffee.
Filling your time with unimportant tasks rather than the important ones
Waiting to be in the correct zone to tackle a task
Why are you procrastinating?
There are many reasons why people procrastinate. It would help if you tried to understand the why behind your behaviour before tackling it.
Some reasons people procrastinate are:
Poor organisation
Fearing success as much as failure
Being a perfectionist
Poor decision making
What may seem like a bad habit for most is a sign of a severe health issue for others. People with ADHD, OCD, and anxiety are far more likely to procrastinate. An accountability coach can still help in these situations.
Strategies to stop procrastinating
An accountability coach can help give you the tools and methods necessary for overcoming your procrastination habit. We have outlined some of the best ones below:
Forgive yourself for procrastinating in the past. Own the new narrative of not procrastinating
Promise yourself a reward for yourself when you complete a task
Have an accountability partner such as an online accountability coach
Minimise distractions as much as possible
Tackle the big challenging tasks first, and then you can focus on the fun stuff later on.
7 strategies for disorganised procrastinators
Keep a “to-do” list
Prioritise the tasks on your list
Get good at planning your day and scheduling
Tackle the most difficult tasks early in the morning when you are at peak focus
Set time-specific goals for completing work
Use time management apps to stay on task
Consider hiring a productivity coach to help you stay in the zone
Barking About Action is an online accountability coach determined to help people be their best selves. Staying focused and not procrastinating is something many people deal with. It does not define you. With the right tools, you can overcome this habit and be a more successful, productive version of yourself. If you are interested in enlisting the services of an accountability coach, then reach out today.