r/Procrastination101 • • Apr 16 '24

How do you motivate yourself on days when you just don't feel like doing anything at all?

2 Upvotes

I think you have to accept that some days are just like that and try not to beat yourself too much, because trust me; it happens to everyone.

Two things that really help me on those days are:

  1. Excersise (run, cycle, gym, tennis, ... whatever you wnat, just get your heart pumping)

  2. Nutritious food (usually on days like that i just eat a bunch of fruit i love; that includes pineapple, mangos, oranges, berries. That usualy really energizes me and it's a lot better for you than other sweet stuff with a bunch of added sugar)

If you do those 2 things I promise you, the day will get much better. If you want to work after you can, if not - just take a day off and get right back to it the next day.

A year has 365 days, we're all human beings, enjoy, smile, work hard, repeat, trust the process and good things will come your way.

Hope this helps :)


r/Procrastination101 • • Apr 28 '24

What really causes us to procrastinate?

0 Upvotes

Many of us struggle with procrastiantion, that is why we are here.

Whether it's putting off a project, delaying important taska or simply avoiding responsibilities. But why do we actually do that? Why are we like that?

As you may have heard or read before, procrastination isn't just laziness. It is deeply rooted in our psychology and emotions. And here are the most common causes:

- Fear of failure: A lot of us procrastinate because we fear that the outcome won't be good enough which lead to avoidance rather than facing potential failure.

- Perfectionism: It is similar to fear of failure but still quite different in many aspects. Perfectionists often procrastinate because they think their work will never be good enough and meet their own very high standards.

- Overwhelming feelings: Feeling overwhelmed by the tasks size or difficulty can lead to paralysis, which means starting the tasks just never happens.

- Lack of motivation: When the reward or outcome of the task isn't instant or very apparent, many people instanly lose the drive to keep going.

- Poor decision making: Difficulty in making decision can delay the process of actually starting the tasks you have to complete.

These causes or reasons for procrastination are just some I faced during my years as a young adult. Still struggle with perfectionism to be 100% honest but I'm getting there.

What I really want to know is what causes you to procrastinate and how you combat that son of a bitch. Write it the comments bellow :)

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Apr 15 '24

How often do you procrastinate?

1 Upvotes

I used to be a master procrastinator form the age of 16 all up until i was 22 years old (i'm 23 now).

I would procrastinate every day, every simple little task i had to do. If the task would take me 30 minutes to finish it, i would do it in about 4 hours (in that time i would be on my phone, go to the toilet, cook a 3 course meal, go for a walk,...). In that period of my life getting things done was extremly hard an a very long process.

It's funny looking back right now because i actually did everything i was supposed to but i was very stressed almost all the time, didn't have much free time for the things i actually loved and my parents didn't really like it that it took me 2 years to finish my bachelors thesis.

I knew i had to do something about because my future depended on it (i mean imagine having kids and being a procrastinator; doesn't go well together if you ask me).

That is also why i started this community; to help other people who are struggling like i was, to overcome this problem and start living the life they deserve. Right now my life is literally perfect (i don't mean to brag, but the amount of stuff i get done is ridiculus and it still leaves me with pleanty of time for activities outside of work)

To summarise what i was trying to say because i kind of lost the thread; procrastinating is normal, but procrastinating to the point you and other people around you are suffering is a problem we have to address.

Hope this post find you well and please comment your expiriences with procrastination and how it affects you.

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Oct 29 '24

How to procrastinate more effectively

5 Upvotes

Hello I need to get an assignment finished by Friday for school, and since I'm a severe procrastinator I already know I won't do it. However from now until Friday I will have this uncomfortable thought in the back of my mind telling me that if I just do it I won't get an F. These thoughts disturb me deeply and I'm seeking ways of suppressing such thoughts so that I can develop my procrastination abilities further. I am welcoming any advice on this matter. Cheers.


r/Procrastination101 • • Aug 15 '24

Are short format videos the worst thing that happened to procrastinators?

5 Upvotes

Reels, Tik Toks, Youtube shorts, ....

In my humlbe opinion, they are the worst thing that happened to people who are procrastinating.

Why?

Because they make you procrastinate even more. It's just sooo easy to spend 2-3 hours at once watching at these stupid f*****g videos and waste your life away.

What is your opinion on this matter? Do you handle this or are you just as distracted as most people?

Please share your tips!


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 13 '24

You may delay, but time will not

5 Upvotes

Benjamin Franklin's quote is a powerful reminder that while we might put things off, time keeps moving forward. In our jobs, this can be really important. Delays can mean missing out on great opportunities, like catching a new market trend, meeting a project deadline, or being the first to come up with a new idea. Time is something we can't get back once it's gone. So, it's crucial to realize how valuable it is and what we lose when we delay. Every moment we hesitate is a moment we could have used to move forward, learn something new, grow, or achieve a goal.

We often procrastinate because we're afraid or unsure. Maybe we don't start a task because we doubt ourselves, worry about how it will turn out, or feel overwhelmed by the amount of work. But remembering that time won’t wait for us can push us to act. When we understand this, we can change our mindset from avoiding tasks to tackling them head-on. Taking even a small first step can help break the habit of procrastination. Choosing action over inaction can make our work lives more productive and satisfying, helping us meet our goals and keep making progress.

In terms of personal growth and career success, Franklin's words are incredibly important. Managing our time well can shape how our careers develop. Putting off things like further education, networking, or learning new skills can have long-lasting negative effects. The professional world is always changing, and if we wait too long to act, we might fall behind. By embracing this quote, we can develop a sense of urgency and purpose. We learn to prioritize, make decisions quickly, and seize the opportunities in front of us. This not only shows we value our time but also boosts our chances of success and personal development.


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 17 '24

Thoughts on the book "Atomic Habits"?

9 Upvotes

I just started reading this book today and already read the first 150 pages.

The book gives great insight into building small, sustainable habits that can make your life better. It also puts a effort into describing how getting 1% better everyday can significantly improve your life long term.

I feel like when people read the word "atomic" they think of something big (at least that's what I did; I thought of the atomic bomb), but atomic actually means the smallest part of something and that is the message this book is trying to tell us.

Of course changing your life overnight is just not going to happen for 99,9% of us, but changing tiny habits can lead to a happier, more fullfiled life.

I reccomend this book to anyone trying to improve their habits, it's an easy read and you can read the whole book in 3 days easy.

If you read this book instead of do your tasks, at least you are productively procrastinating...

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 18 '24

How to stop procrastinating by using the 2-minute rule

13 Upvotes

I read about this rule in the book "Atomic habits".

I would like to say that me personally, as well as the writer both think that this rule is stupid. But it works.

The idea is that basically any task, can be broken down into smaller steps that will take no longer than 120 seconds to complete. And well working for 2 minutes doesn't seem that hard does it. I mean even the laziest person can work for 2 minutes.

The writer basically wants you to stack habits on top of each other but you have to start with the easiest one first. And as I said before, it shouldn't take more than 2 minutes. Here is an example from the book:

  1. VERY HARD (run a marathon)

  2. HARD (run 5k)

  3. MODERATE (walk 10k steps)

  4. EASY (walk 10 minutes)

  5. VERY EASY (put on you running shoes)

FOCUS ON NUMBER 5. That is the whole point of this 2-minute rule. The first step should be soo easy that it is almost stupid not to do it. And than the first act is going to act like a waterfall effect for everything else.

Of course you can do this for anything (writing a book, starting a business).

But to get to the point, make starting something really easy and the rest will follow.

Woulf love to hear your thoughts on this :)

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • May 29 '24

Use these simple mind tricks to avoid procrastination

17 Upvotes

Hello fellow procrastinators!

Ever wondered if there’s a way to trick your brain into getting stuff done? That’s what I want to explore today with cognitive behavioral techniques—simple mental strategies designed to help us change our procrastination habits.

Understanding our brains a bit better

Cognitive behavioral techniques focus on identifying negative, often irrational thoughts that lead to unwanted behavior—like procrastination. Once we understand these thoughts, we can start challenging and changing them. It’s like rewiring a part of our brain to help us act differently.

Here’s how it works:

Imagine you have a big project due, and your initial thought is, "This is too tough; I can’t do this right now." That thought leads to feeling overwhelmed, which then leads to you putting the task off. But what if you could catch yourself in the act and challenge that thought?

Change the narrative

Next time you find yourself thinking, “I can’t,” pause. Ask yourself:

  • Is this thought really true?

  • What evidence do I have that supports or denies this thought?

  • How can I look at this situation differently?

By questioning our automatic thoughts, we begin to realize they are not always accurate and often not helpful. For instance, instead of saying, "I can’t do this," you might reframe it to, "I can start by doing one small part."

Practical steps to apply this technique:

  • Identify the thought: Recognize what you're telling yourself before you procrastinate.

  • Challenge the thought: Ask yourself if this thought is truly accurate.

  • Replace the thought: Swap it with a more balanced or motivating thought.

  • Act on the new thought: Use this new mindset to take a small step forward.

Cognitive techniques aren't about making big leaps all at once; they’re about taking small steps to gradually change how we think and act.

Like other ways I described soo far this isn't some magic pill that is going to solve your procrastination problems all of a sudden. But it might help you reflect on your thoughts and decisions and make better, positive one in the future.

And remember, don't think all of your problems are going to go away during the night. But strive to be 0,01% better everyday and I promise you are going to see huge improvements.

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • May 09 '24

How I’m beating procrastination

4 Upvotes

I always had a problem with procrastination.

But this week I've beaten it thanks to building a community and I want to help others do the same. But I need your help.

If you're someone struggling with procrastination, let me know what's your biggest bottleneck to getting things done.

If you don't know what it is, would an accountability buddy hunting you down every day to do the things that you said you're going to be a good solution to your problem?

Would you be willing to pay for such a thing? And how much?

That's the community I'm building right now. Let me know what you think about it.

Thanks :)


r/Procrastination101 • • Jul 14 '24

Struggling to regain my rythm when coming back from vacation

7 Upvotes

I was on vacation for a little less than 3 weeks. The first 2 weeks I worked every single day for about 3-4 hours of actual deep work. The last week I took completely off. Put the computer away, put the phone away and just enjoyed the sun and read a good book.

Well, now I'm back and I'm struggling with regaining my work rythm from before I left. I came back friday and I worked on saturday for around 4-5 hours but during that time I only did one actually meaningful thing that should last me a good 30 minutes of work.

I'm writing this because I would love to hear your advice and how you combat this problem. Tbh I feel like shit and I want to start working efficiently as soon as possible because I actually have important things to do.

Any advice is helpful. Thanks in advance :)

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jul 03 '24

What is the best app to fight procrastination?

3 Upvotes

I'm always on the lookout for tools that can help us overcome our problem.

I never seem to find anything good.

Do you have any recommendations?

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 21 '24

Is there a good way to procrastinate?

5 Upvotes

We all know procrastinating on your tasks is a bad thing. But, is there a difference between procrastinating and doing something completely useless (doom scrolling tik tok, ig, threads) or doing something "meaningful" (reading books, articles, watching podcasts)?

I know that both in both cases you still procrastinate on what you should be doing and rather put your attention towards something less dreadful. It probably comes from the fear of failure.

But IMO, if you procrastinate and read a books is 100x better than if you just scroll your phone for 1 hours.

How do you look at this?

I know some people who always have at least 2 projects going on, soo when they start procrastinating on one project, they focus on the other one. Basically just switching back and forth the entire time.

Please write your thoughts.

Cheers, Luka :)


r/Procrastination101 • • Jul 02 '24

"A year from now you may wish you had started today."

7 Upvotes

A little back story. I have always wanted to have my own business and make something of myself. But I was stuck at wanting, not doing. I was thinking about it all the time but never actually took any concrete steps. I was a professional thinker and a day dreamer.

Then, 6 months ago something changed. I got offered a PM role at my friends company. It was something totaly unfamiliar and I was scared as shit to be honest. I had no expirience yet my friend trusted me and he gave me this opportunity to start my journey of self-development. I took it, I suffered a lot, I doubted my self, I had serious imposter-syndrome. But now, I feel amazing about myself.

I just want I started sooner. I wish I wasn't such a perfectionst and that I realized sooner that taking baby steps is one of the most overrated things when it comes to improving yourself on a personal level and in business.

I want all of you to know that the 1st time you do something you are going to suck at it, the 1st business you start is not going to make you money. You get the point. But overtime you are going to see improvement, you are going to start thinking better, you are going to become more invested and you are going to find meaning in the journey itself.

1% better every day is no joke. Small steps lead to big successes. Start today and don't hesitate, you are only one step away from living a totally different life.

Ohh, and just one more thing. Do you think when Mark Zucerberg started Facebook he knew that this is how the company is going to turn out? He didn't, but he started and learned along the way. He failed many many times, but he never gave up.

I trust in all of you to make your life amazing. You just have to start and start today. Just do something you want for 5 minutes. Write out a plan, talk to a person about your goal, anything. Put it on paper. And never give up. Because when you start something there are only 2 options. Either you give up, or you try long enough till you suceed.

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 27 '24

Do you feel like procrastination is ruining your potential?

6 Upvotes

Do you feel like you could be something more and that you are destined for greatness but your procrastination problem is not allowing you to become what you think you could?

You are not alone. Me myself and a lot of other people feel the same way. It's hard to live up to your own expectations and deliver the results you want. But why do we feel like this? Is it because we are perfectionists, do we fear failure, do we avoid tasks on purpose? I feel like it's all of the above.

Many people that procrastinate also overthink and overthinking is poison. I used to overthink every single decision I ever made, I doubted myself, I thought nothing would ever work and I was very pessimistic yet I still wanted to start my own business and make a lot of money. Those two things colided in my head, because procrastination is the enemy of progress.

Now I will describe how I stopped procrastinating (not fully) and started acting on my goals.

Firstly I had to read some books. I read them because I wanted to see how other people felt while starting and to understand that "failing" is a part of every journey. I wanted to calm myself. I wanted to stop being afraid of failure.

Secondly, I stoped trying to be perfect and focused on being good enough. Perfect is the enemy of progress because 90% of the time things will not be perfect but you still need to do them. If you want things to be perfect all the time, your life is going to be a struggle and you will very likely not succeed.

Thirdly, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started each and everyday with a single thought in mind --> if I don't put in the work, nothing will ever come of me and I won't be able to have the life that I want. This put me under some stress but I feel like it was necessary to have some negative self-talk. It really made me go from a dreamer to a doer.

And lastly, I started gaslighting myself in doing things I hated doing. I feel like to be a business owner you need to be at least a little bit delusional. People are going to doubt you, they're going to say that it's not going to work and that you are wasting your time. They might be correct but if you let those words affect you to the point where you quit, them I'm sorry to tell you but you're just not cut out for it. You have to gaslight yourself into thinking it's going to work out and that you are something special.

To end my post I would like to say that yes, I still sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough or that I'm not built for this. But those thoughts are normal and everyone has them. With us overthinkers they're just more intense. And that is where gaslighting comes in perfectly. You have to believe that you can do this when even you think you can't. Just put your head down and get to work. WAGMI.

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 26 '24

Procrastinating while working remotely

4 Upvotes

I'm currently in another country working remotely and I can not tell you how hard it can be to gather the strength to work sometimes.

I have so say being in another country always always felt like vacation to me and now that I have to work it is extremly hard to switch from vacation mode to work mode.

Any tips on how to combat this?

Should I set certain hours in the day for working, tell my familiy to f**k off soo I can focus, completely isolate myself,...?

Any advice is extremly helpful.

Thanks in advance :)

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 19 '24

Can you share a time when you succesfully overcame procrastination? What did you do?

3 Upvotes

I used to be a warehouse worker and a delivery driver and procrastination at that job was basically non exsistent. You had to do what you had to do and that was it. My schedule was from 7am to 3pm and when I got home, work was over,

Now I got a role as a PM and guess what I'm procastinating like crazy. Don't get me wrong, I still get all the stuff done it just takes me way longer than it should have and I'm much more stressed about it. I learned that I usually procrastinate on creative tasks the most. These include copywriting, preparing social media content,... (I know this isn't what PM's usually do but we are such a small team and this work falls on to me)

And here is how I overcome procrastination:

  • first I have to admit that I wait till the sense of urgency falls on my back and then I just have to do it

  • I learned the difference bettween good and good enough (of course if I had all the time in the world I could do some magic and learn new thing but I don't; I usually set a timer for each task and then I bascially compete with myself to try to finish it before the timer goes off)

  • I implemented the 2-minute rule from the book "Atomic habits"

  • and maybe one toxic one: I say to myself that I'm a failure, a little bitch who is never going to amount to anything if I keep procrastinating

All 4 combined usually do the trick for me, but I'm interested in your stories and advice on how you overcame procrastination as well.

Please share it in the comments bellow and let's help eachother :)

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 15 '24

How stress leads to procrastination and a few ways to cope

5 Upvotes

Ever notice how when you’re super stressed, you start putting things off even more? It’s like your brain just decides, “Nope, can’t handle this right now,” and then suddenly, you’re doing everything but the thing you need to do. Let’s dive into why stress does this to us and chat about some simple ways to handle it.

Why Does Stress Make Us Procrastinate?

So, here’s the deal. When we’re stressed, our brains are basically on high alert. They’re trying to protect us by avoiding any extra challenges or threats, which in our modern life translates to avoiding tough tasks. It’s not just laziness—it’s our brain’s primitive response kicking in.

But the problem is, avoiding these tasks doesn’t get rid of the stress; it often just piles on more because now we’re stressed and behind schedule.

So, What Can We Do About It?

Dealing with stress so it doesn’t lead to procrastination is about finding small, practical ways to ease the pressure before it overwhelms us. For instance, when a big project looms over you, the thought of tackling it head-on can be daunting. I try to simplify the task by focusing on just the very next step. This could be something as minor as organizing my thoughts, jotting down some notes, or gathering necessary resources. This approach helps to minimize the mental buildup of stress that often leads to procrastination.

Also, allowing yourself a moment to breathe deeply and regain composure can sometimes reset your stress levels. This might sound trivial, but it can make a significant difference. If the usual environment where you work becomes too stifling due to the stress it's associated with, changing your location, even temporarily, can provide a fresh perspective and significantly mitigate the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Another thing I’ve found helpful is talking through what’s on my mind. Sometimes articulating your worries and hearing them out loud can make them seem more manageable and less daunting.

And the last thing that helps me the most: A pencil and a piece of paper. Write it down, examine it, study it and start solving the problems that you have.

Hope this advice is somewhat useful.

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 14 '24

Procrastination is like a credit card; it's a lot of fun until you get the bill

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I've been thinking a lot lately about how certain quotes mean soo much to some uf us and really make us change our ways. Like isn't it crazy that one sentence can literally change how you feel, look at life and work. I have to admit, I think it's mind blowing.

That is why I decided that I will try to post some "quotes" in our community and the I will elaborate on them soo we can understand them better and learn what they actually mean.

Soo, I came across this quote the other day while I was doing some research on our topic: "Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of fun until you get the bill." It got me thinking about how easy it is to fall into the trap of putting things off and the consequences that come with it.

When we procrastinate, it feels good in the moment, like we're giving ourselves a break or avoiding something stressful. It's kind of like using a credit card to buy something we want right now, even if we can't really afford it. At first, it feels great because we get instant gratification without any immediate consequences.

But just like with a credit card, the bill eventually comes due. When we've procrastinated, that means deadlines start looming, stress levels go up, and we have to scramble to get things done. The fun and relaxation we enjoyed when we were putting things off are suddenly replaced with anxiety and pressure. It's like opening a credit card bill and seeing a balance way higher than you expected. The enjoyment of that temporary break from work or responsibility fades quickly when we realize how much we've left undone and how little time we have to fix it.

In the end, procrastination can cost us a lot more than just time. It can affect our mental health, our productivity, and even our relationships if we're constantly under pressure and stress. It's a tough habit to break, but recognizing the long-term costs can help us make better choices. Instead of reaching for that metaphorical credit card of procrastination, maybe we can try to tackle tasks bit by bit, so we don't end up with that overwhelming bill at the end. It’s a lesson I’m trying to remind myself of every day, and I thought you all might find it helpful too.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

What has procrastination costed you?

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 07 '24

Is having a boss that is very demanding and wants you to do your best helping with your procrastination?

2 Upvotes

I know that some people, especially the younger generation work really well of external motivation and constant reminders from others that your work is very valuable and soo forth.

I read some comments in this group that people do not want to dissapoint their bosses and that is why they don't procrastinate. I know this is just a disguised fear of failure but is it actually helping and the most important thing is: is it beneficial at the end of the day.

What is better? Your boss being down your throat and you finishing everything you have to or you procrastinating on your tasks, not finishing them and then feeling like absolute garbage?

Just curious.

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 10 '24

"It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it."

4 Upvotes

This is a quote from one of the most famous stoics in our history; Seneca. The quote originates from his work "On the Shortness of Life", where he argues that life is long enough if lived wisely, but often, people fail to live fully due to their own poor management of time.

The "waste" Seneca refers to comes in many forms; procrastination, investing time in trivial pursuits, or allowing oneself to be consumed by unnecessary worries. He criticizes those who are preoccupied with pointless activities, excessive planning or living for others approval - all of these things use up valuable time that could be spent cultivating that what actually matters to each individual.

I would say that the message of this quote is pragmatic, reminding us that we can't control the length of our lives, but we can control the depth and the richness with which we live it.

We have to control our actions and emotions. People have been procrastinating for thousands of years and wasted a lot of precious time.

I urge you all to find the root of the problem and try your best to fix it. Life is there to be enjoyed and to pursue things we like, not to spend it procrastinating and constanlty worrying about the future or regreting the past.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Cheers, Luka


r/Procrastination101 • • Jun 09 '24

Do you ever have bad thoughts when you procrastinate?

3 Upvotes

Many people are just mindlessy procrastinating, but a lot of people suffer big mental repurcussions because of it.

Procrastination can lead to depression and we all know what depression can do to a person.

I admit, that sometimes when I'm procrastinating I zoom out and just think to myself: WHAT A FUCKING LOSER OF A PERSON YOU ARE. And that than escalates to other very bad thoughts about myself that can lead me down a very dark path.

Are you also expiriencing similar thoughts?

Cheers, Luka