5 Ways to Get Things Done

Some people fail to get things done because they get distracted or choose to do something else, and others don’t know how to manage their time.

You might put off dealing with stuff due to fear, or maybe you perform best under pressure, but if you don’t knuckle down and focus, everything will just pile up and weigh you down.

Understanding why you procrastinate is the key to knowing which strategy to use to get things done.

Lack of urgency

Sometimes, we overestimate how much time we have to get things done. We have every intention to file our tax return, but the phone rang all day, and we dealt with what was under our noses rather than what was at the back of our minds. 

In case you are suffering from a lack of urgency, then optimising your environment and minimising distractions can help to boost your productivity. 

Put away your smartphone or unplug the landline, switch off the TV or find a quiet space to focus on what you want to accomplish.

Overwhelm

When faced with a lot to do or a new task you’ve never done before, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure about where or how to get started. Perhaps your boss has assigned a project to you, but you feel a bit clueless about how to begin, so you stick to what you know and answer emails instead.

A good way to tackle this type of problem is to break the task down into steps or phases and make a list of what needs to be done.

This way, you can focus on one aspect of the task at a time which will make the project as a whole feel less daunting. As you tick off each step, you will see the progress you are making and be encouraged to continue.

Fear of the unknown

Fear of the unknown can stop us from getting stuff done. You might be putting off going for a medical test because you are afraid of what the results will be, or you haven’t applied for that job yet because you’re scared you’ll actually get it.

Try to focus on the benefits of completing the task. Getting your medical results will give you peace of mind, and you’ll know how to move forwards. Getting that job will give you more income, job satisfaction, or a better work/life balance.

It might also help to speak to someone who has been through the same experience you are facing, as they will be able to tell you what to expect and may even urge you to act with stories of their bravery. If you don’t have a role model to look up to, then try dipping into a book on procrastination for some inspiring tips.

Lack of pressure

Some of us deliver our best work under pressure and are able to focus better when driven by adrenaline knowing there is a deadline looming. Maybe you have a presentation to deliver tomorrow, you’ve not even started on it, but you’ll manage to smash it anyway.

If this type of approach works for you, then use it to your advantage. Use a selfgrowthplan or a calendar to block out a schedule of what needs to be done and when it needs to be finished.

You will probably find that you use the unscheduled time to think about your upcoming tasks.

This reflection time won’t be wasted, as when it’s time to knuckle down, you will already know where to start and what you need to do.

Dislike

If we don’t like the thing we have to do because it’s boring, hard, or painful, then we are more likely to find something else to do. Why do the housework when it’s a beautiful day, and you could be enjoying the sun with friends? 

This type of procrastination is best tackled with a reward system. Only allow yourself to do the fun thing once you have completed your other task. 

The takeaway 

If you want to get stuff done, figure out why you haven’t already started. Once you know what’s stopping you, it’s easier to know what to do about it. If the job lacks urgency, make sure nothing else can get in the way. Get past overwhelm by breaking your task down and combat fear by focusing on the positives.

If you work best under pressure, use your free time to plan and reward yourself for a job well done.

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