Stop Procrastinating: 100 Expert Tips to Boost Your Time Management

Before I go all boss girl on you, I have a confession to make, all my life I have been someone who finds it hard to stick to deadlines or ends up doing 90% of the work right before the deadline, I would find it difficult to stick to one task and keep juggling between many projects, never finishing anything, I had that constant feeling that I was just not able to reach my 100% potential, and not because I lacked the skills or talent, but because I would just keep on procrastinating on my dream projects and side hustles, I was nowhere close to where I wanted to be.

If this sounds like you, then you may be stuck in the vicious loop of procrastination too, but there is good news: you are not alone. The good news is that there are also many things you can do to overcome procrastination and improve your time management skills.

I have tried 100s of techniques over the years, and I am spilling all the tea here, now I know a 100 seems like an overwhelming number, but remember, there is no one size fits all, what worked for me once might not work for me now, what is working for me today might not work for you, so read along and take your pick.

Here are my 100-time management tips for procrastinators:

1. Set clear goals and priorities. What are the most important tasks that you need to complete? Once you know what your goals and priorities are, you can focus your time and energy on the most important things. Do the most important tasks first and put off the less important tasks until later.
2. Create a schedule and stick to it. Having a schedule can help you to stay on track and avoid procrastination. Be sure to include time for studying, completing assignments, and participating in extracurricular activities.
3. Take breaks. It is important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it is just for a few minutes. Get up and move around or do something that you enjoy. This will help you to stay focused and refreshed when you return to your work.
4. Delegate tasks. If you have the ability to delegate tasks to others, do it! This can free up your time so that you can focus on the most important things. This applies to both personal (hiring a maid/cook, giving clothes for laundry, etc) and professional life (hiring a video editor for your next YouTube video)
5. Learn to say no. It is okay to say no to extra commitments if you do not have the time or energy to take them on.
6. Identify your procrastination triggers. What are the things that make you most likely to procrastinate? Once you know your triggers, you can start to develop strategies for avoiding them like moving your work in a room without TV or turning your data and WIFI off in your phone so that people can still reach you via call if it is urgent but you don’t keep getting distracted by each notification, close your email.

7. Set deadlines. What do you want to achieve? When do you need to achieve it by? Having clear goals and deadlines will help you to stay focused and avoid procrastination.
8. Break down large tasks into smaller steps. Large tasks can be daunting and overwhelming, which can lead to procrastination. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make the task seem less daunting and help you to get started.
9. Set realistic expectations. Don’t try to do too much at once. Set realistic expectations for yourself and focus on one task at a time.
10. Reward yourself for completing tasks. When you complete a task, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay motivated and avoid procrastination.
11. Start your day with a to-do list. This will help you to stay organized and focused.

12. Estimate how long each task will take. This will help you to create a realistic schedule.
13. Schedule your tasks in advance. This will help you to stay on track and avoid procrastination.
14. Find a study buddy, collegue or accountability partner. Working with someone else can help you to stay on track and avoid procrastination.
15. Use a time tracking app to see how you are spending your time. This can help you to identify areas where you can be more efficient.
16. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are struggling to complete a task, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or colleague.
17. Plan your day the night before. This will help you to wake up with a plan and avoid wasting time in the morning trying to figure out what you need to do.
18. If you are procrastinating on a task because you are afraid of failure, tell yourself that it is okay to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, and the important thing is to learn from them.

19. If you are procrastinating on a task because it is boring or tedious, try to make it more interesting. For example, you could break the task down into smaller steps, or you could set a timer for yourself and see how much you can accomplish in a certain amount of time.
20. If you are procrastinating on a task because you are overwhelmed, try to break the task down into smaller steps and focus on one step at a time. Get up and move around, or do something that you enjoy. This will help you to clear your head and come back to the task with a fresh perspective.
21. If you are procrastinating on a task because you are perfectionist, tell yourself that it is okay if the task is not perfect. Just focus on doing your best.
22. If you are procrastinating on a task because you are having trouble getting started, try to just start working on the task for a few minutes. Once you get started, it will be easier to keep going.
23. If you are procrastinating on a task because you are dreading it, try to focus on the positive aspects of completing the task. For example, you could think about how completing the task will make you feel good, or how it will help you to achieve your goals.
24. If you are procrastinating on a task because you are feeling stressed, try to relax and de-stress. Do something that you enjoy, or try some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.
25. If you are procrastinating on a task because you are having trouble concentrating, try to find a quiet place to work where you will not be distracted.
26. The Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break, to maintain focus. After four intervals, you take a longer break. This technique can help you to stay focused and avoid procrastination by breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.
27. Limit Distractions: Silence your phone, turn off notifications, and close irrelevant tabs or apps.
28. Declutter Your Workspace: A tidy workspace can boost focus and productivity.
29. Single-Task: Concentrate on one task at a time, rather than multitasking.
30. Find Your Peak Hours: Discover when you are most productive and schedule important tasks during these hours.
31. Use Technology Wisely: Leverage productivity apps and tools, like task managers and calendars.
32. Learn to Say No: Don’t overcommit; say no to tasks that don’t align with your goals.
33. Visualize Success: Imagine the benefits of completing a task to motivate yourself.
34. Mindful Breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to reduce anxiety and enhance focus.
35. Use the 2-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately.
36. Eliminate Unnecessary Meetings: Only attend meetings that are truly essential.
37. Learn to Say Yes: Accept help when offered, don’t always reject it.
38. Block Distracting Websites: Use website blockers to limit time spent on non-productive sites.
39. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can affect concentration; drink enough water.
40. Music for Focus: Listen to instrumental or ambient music while working.
41. Review and Reflect: Assess your progress regularly and adjust your strategies.
42. Set a Timer: Challenge yourself to complete a task within a specific time frame.
43. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use automation tools to streamline routine work.
44. Learn to Say Maybe: Be open to new opportunities without immediately committing.
45. Eat Healthy: Proper nutrition can enhance brain function and energy levels.
46. Self-Compassion: Don’t be too hard on yourself; forgive your occasional procrastination. Just learn from your mistake and try to do better next time.
47. Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
48. Task Batching: Group similar tasks together to minimize context-switching.
49. Take Care of Your Health: Regular exercise and sleep contribute to productivity.
50. Mindful Meditation: Practice mindfulness to reduce stress and enhance focus.
51. Use a Planner: Maintain a physical or digital planner to track your schedule.
52. Reverse Engineer Your Goals: Start with the end goal and work backward to plan your steps.
53. Develop a Morning Routine: A structured morning routine can set the tone for your day.
54. Nightly Reflection: Review your accomplishments and plan for the next day before bed.
55. Set Reminders: Use alarms and reminders to keep you on track.
56. Positive Visualization: Picture successful outcomes to stay motivated.
57. The Two-Minute Morning Ritual: Spend two minutes each morning setting your priorities.
58. Limit Social Media: Schedule specific times for social media to prevent mindless scrolling.
59. Break Goals into Daily Habits: Transform your long-term goals into daily habits.
60. Task Pacing: Be mindful of your pace and don’t rush or procrastinate.
61. Maintain a ‘Done’ List: Keep a record of completed tasks to build a sense of accomplishment.
62. Set Shorter Meetings: Limit meetings to the time necessary to cover the agenda.
63. E-mail Management: Check emails at specific intervals, rather than constantly.
64. Task Pre-commitment: Publicly announce your tasks to others for added motivation.
65. Digital Detox: Take scheduled breaks from electronic devices.
66. Limit TV and Streaming: Reserve leisure time for high-quality activities.
67. The Rule of Three: Prioritize your three most important tasks each day.
68. Goal Setting Apps: Use apps like Habitica or Strides for tracking goals.
69. Organize Workspace Regularly: Declutter and tidy your workspace daily.
70. The Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants (urgent/important, not urgent/important, urgent/not important, not urgent/not important) to prioritize.
71. Personal Mission Statement: Define your life’s purpose to guide decision-making.
72. The ‘5 Whys’ Technique: Dig deeper into the root causes of procrastination. The idea is when a problem occurs, you drill down to its root cause by asking “Why?” five times. Then, when a counter-measure becomes apparent, you follow it through to prevent the issue from recurring.
73. Avoid Overthinking: Don’t ruminate; just start the task.
74. Mind Mapping: Use mind maps to visualize complex projects.
75. Visualization Boards: Create a vision board to visualize your goals.
76. Flexibility with Deadlines: Allow for some flexibility in your timeframes.
77. Develop a “No Excuses” Mentality: Hold yourself accountable.
78. Embrace Failure: Accept that setbacks happen and learn from them.
79. Set Personal Rules: Define your working hours and adhere to them.
80. Reverse-Engineer Your Day: Plan your day from end to start to optimize time.
81. Time-Based Goals: Set goals based on timeframes (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
82. Eliminate Decision Fatigue: Plan your meals and clothing choices in advance.
83. Reduce Perfectionism: Aim for “good enough” instead of perfection.
84. The “Two-Minute Rule” for Readings: Start reading a book for just two minutes; you’ll likely continue.
85. Digital Note-Taking: Use digital note-taking apps for easy organization.
86. Time Audit: Periodically assess your time usage for efficiency.
87. Optimize Commute Time: Listen to podcasts or audiobooks during your commute.
88. Visual Cues: Use visual cues to remind yourself of tasks (sticky notes, reminders).
89. Practice Mindful Walking: Use short walks to clear your mind and refocus.
90. Set Boundaries: Establish personal and professional boundaries.
91. Minimize Peripherals: Reduce the number of tools or apps you use.
92. Regularly Update Goals: Revisit and update your goals to stay aligned with your aspirations.
93. 12 work week: The idea is to treat each 3 month quarter like a complete yr and each week like a month, creating a sense of urgency and keeping you motivated.
94. ‘The Two-Minute Rule’ for Decluttering: Clear your workspace for just two minutes at a time.
95. Mind Dump: When there is too much on your mind and you cannot focus on the task at hand, just dump everything you have on your mind on a paper.
96. Make your workstation aesthetic: Make your desk aesthetic so you want to spend more time there.
97. Delayed Gratification: I would go out with my friends only if  I have written my blog that day, else I will stay back and finish that first before leaving, this helped me beat procrastination by keeping me motivated to do it on time.
98. Cues: I keep my vitamins right on my nightstand so that I don’t miss taking them, make the choice obvious.
99.  Leavers: I would allow myself to watch my favorite show only if I were exercising during that time, this helped me get closed to my fitness goals
100. Never Stop Learning: Everyone is unique and what works for me might not work for you, continuously seek new time management techniques and refine your strategies.

Procrastinators can overcome their tendencies and become effective time managers by implementing these 100 unique time management tips. Remember that it’s essential to experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you. With patience, persistence, and the right tools, you can transform your procrastination habits into a productivity powerhouse.

Overcoming procrastination takes time and effort. But by following these tips, you can learn to manage your time more effectively and avoid procrastination. Just remember to be patient with yourself and to forgive yourself for your mistakes.