Procrastination is something we all face. Whether it’s putting off tasks at work, delaying that project, or simply struggling to get started, we’ve all been there.

But what if there was a way to break that habit and get things done more efficiently?

Highly productive people have a few strategies up their sleeves to beat procrastination and stay on track.

They don’t have magical superpowers, but they’ve figured out how to manage their time, tasks, and distractions in ways that help them achieve more.

In this article, we’ll discuss eight ways highly successful people tackle the common enemy — procrastination.

1) They prioritize their tasks

Productive people know that not all tasks are created equal.

In the whirlwind of our daily lives, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of tasks. But highly productive individuals understand the difference between urgent and important tasks, a concept popularized by Stephen Covey in his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Urgent tasks are those that require immediate attention, they are the ones you feel like you need to do right now. Important tasks, on the other hand, contribute to your long-term goals and mission.

Productive people focus on important tasks first. This doesn’t mean they ignore the urgent ones. It just means they don’t let these tasks push aside what truly matters.

By prioritizing in this way, they avoid the trap of procrastination that often comes when overwhelmed by a multitude of tasks. Instead, they stay focused on their ultimate goals and steadily work toward them.

It’s all about conscious choice and not about working mindlessly. That’s the secret sauce for avoiding procrastination.

2) They break down big tasks

I remember a time when I had to write a 20,000-word thesis. The magnitude of the task was overwhelming, and I found myself procrastinating a lot.

Then, I tried something different. I broke down the big task into smaller, manageable chunks. Writing 500 words a day seemed more doable than thinking about the whole 20,000 words.

And it worked! By focusing on the smaller tasks, I was able to complete my thesis without getting paralyzed by procrastination.

Psychology supports this approach. It’s called the chunking method. Highly productive people use it to make large projects less daunting.

By breaking things down, we make the tasks seem less intimidating and more achievable. This helps to keep procrastination at bay and maintains productivity levels high.

Next time you’re faced with a massive task, try breaking it down. You might find it helps you avoid procrastination too.

3) They use the power of the two-minute rule

You might not have heard about the two-minute rule, but it’s a favorite among highly productive people. The idea was introduced by David Allen in his book, “Getting Things Done.”

The rule is simple: if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. It’s surprising how many tasks we put off that could be done almost instantly.

People are more likely to procrastinate on tasks they think will take a long time. However, if they perceive a task as short and quick, they’re more likely to do it immediately.

So, by applying the two-minute rule, productive people trick their brains into doing small tasks right away, reducing their overall task load and effectively avoiding procrastination.

4) They eliminate distractions

In a world full of notifications and constant information flow, distractions are everywhere. And they are a major fuel for procrastination.

Highly productive people understand this. They know that every ‘ping’ from their phone or email can break their concentration and lead to wasted minutes, or even hours.

To avoid this, they create an environment that supports focus. This may mean turning off notifications, creating a clean workspace, or setting specific ‘quiet hours’ where they can work undisturbed.

By removing potential distractions, they reduce the chance of their mind wandering away from the task at hand, helping them to stay focused and productive.

5) They practice self-compassion

Productivity isn’t just about doing more. It’s also about being kind to yourself. Highly productive people understand this. They recognize that they are human and that it’s okay to have off days.

When they realize they’ve fallen into a procrastination trap, they don’t beat themselves up over it. Instead, they practice self-compassion. They remind themselves that everyone procrastinates sometimes and it’s okay.

This approach takes away the guilt often associated with procrastination, which can otherwise lead to a vicious cycle of more procrastination.

By being kind to themselves, they are able to bounce back faster, get back on track, and continue with their tasks.

It’s okay to stumble. What matters is how you pick yourself up and keep going.

6) They use visualization techniques

There was a time when I doubted my ability to run a marathon. It seemed like an impossible feat. Then, I started to visualize myself crossing the finish line, the crowd cheering, the medal around my neck.

This simple act of visualizing success made the goal feel more attainable. I found myself training more consistently, and procrastinating less, and eventually, I did cross that finish line.

This isn’t just my story. Highly productive people often use visualization techniques to overcome procrastination. They imagine themselves successfully completing tasks or achieving their goals.

This mental picture serves as motivation and makes them more likely to take action.

Visualization is a powerful tool that can propel you towards your goals while keeping procrastination at bay.

7) They understand the value of time

Highly productive people have a deep respect for time. They understand that it’s a finite resource and once it’s gone, it can’t be retrieved.

They make conscious decisions about how to use their time effectively. This means they’re not just busy, but productive. They avoid procrastination by reminding themselves of the value of each minute and the cost of wasting it.

By understanding the value of time, they’re motivated to start tasks immediately rather than putting them off, ensuring that they make the most out of each day.

8) They commit to starting, not finishing

The most daunting part of any task is often just getting started. However, highly productive people overcome this hurdle by committing to start rather than focusing on the finish line.

They understand that once they start a task, they’re more likely to see it through to completion. This is due to the Zeigarnik Effect, a psychological phenomenon that suggests we’re more likely to remember tasks we’ve started but not finished.

Instead of being overwhelmed by the thought of completing a task, they simply commit to beginning it. This small shift in perspective makes tasks seem less intimidating and allows them to avoid procrastination.

Productivity is a mindset

The ways in which we approach our tasks and manage our time are deeply intertwined with our mindset.

For highly productive people, avoiding procrastination isn’t about magic tricks or secret formulas. It’s about cultivating a mindset that values time, understands the power of small steps, and is kind to oneself in the face of setbacks.

They know that the mind, like any other muscle, can be trained and developed over time. And they choose to train their minds to resist the allure of procrastination and focus on productive habits.

Whether it’s prioritizing tasks, breaking down large projects, or simply committing to get started, these tactics are all part of a larger mindset shift toward productivity.