Procrastination is the action of delaying or postponing something, and it’s a problem that almost all of us face.

We can’t help it – we just end up focusing our energy on less important, less urgent and more enjoyable tasks instead.

However, it’s essential to overcome procrastination so you don’t fall behind or miss important deadlines. Here are four quick tips to help you overcome procrastination and get back on track:

1. Awareness

First and foremost, if you’re ever going to overcome procrastination then you need to be aware of when you’re procrastinating! Only once you’ve acknowledged that there’s an issue can you take the appropriate action to solve it.

But don’t worry, by reading this article you’ve probably nailed the first step.

2. Set Realistic Targets

By setting reasonable targets and deadlines you can easily break down any daunting tasks. Having unrealistic and overwhelming goals will only feed your procrastination – how can you motivate yourself to start a task that seems impossible to complete? Instead try to set out small, achievable targets that will help you to reach your final goal.

3. Un-schedule

People often put way too many tasks on their to-do list. Another essential way to overcome procrastination is to eliminate tasks that you don’t actually need to do. That way, you won’t be put off by a never-ending list of tasks and you can actually focus positive energy on what needs to be done.

If you’re not sure how to prioritise and eliminate your tasks then you should consider the Eisenhower Matrix. Whether you use this manually or automatically, the Matrix pushes you to decide if a task is important or urgent. If it’s neither, you can eliminate with no hard feelings!

4. Work in Productive Environments

If you’re still struggling to overcome procrastination, consider your environment. Reflect on where you’re working and who you’re working with. Don’t underestimate the power of your environment to enhance or hamper productivity.

If you’re working in an environment full of distractions, it’s almost too easy to procrastinate. If you really want to get a task done, try working in quiet and well-lit areas, as well as switching off from online distractions so that you can maximise your productivity.

How about you?

It’s never easy to completely overcome procrastination, but there are many steps you can take to minimise it. Do you have any tips for how you personally get back on track?