How to Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done

The Editors of WOMEN'S HEALTH
Stop procrastinating and actually make some moves with these five strategies to conquer your to-do list
Stop procrastinating and actually make some moves with these five strategies to conquer your to-do list

Once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator? We think not. Here, Art Markman, Ph.D., author of Smart Thinking: Three Essential Keys to Solve Problems, Innovate, and Get Things Done, shares his tips on how to motivate yourself and keep your resolutions.

1. Engage the people around you. Whether it's your guy, your mom, or a few friends, tell 'em what you're up to. Ask them to join you, help you, or simply keep you on track! Or, if you're redecorating your kitchen or cleaning out the garage, post pictures of your progress on Facebook or Pinterest.

2. Set deadlines. You'll need more or fewer depending on the task and your timeline, but aim to accomplish something significant at least once a week. Keep them realistic and ensure they're doable by checking the rest of your schedule and making sure you don't have any big projects at work or social events that could prevent you from meeting the deadlines.

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3. Treat yourself. Rewarding yourself midway through a task will provide incentive to finish. Make sure it's nice, but not too nice, so you'll still keep up that motivation to finish. Try booking tickets for a show or concert when you reach the halfway point. (Just make sure the event is after your deadline!) You'll have something big to look forward to, but you won't actually enjoy the fruits of your labor until you've completed the task.

4. Make it fun. Crank up some tunes while you repaint your bedroom, or whip up a healthy treat to enjoy while you research investment options online. If the work itself is enjoyable, getting to the finish line will be that much easier.

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5. Visualize the end result. Whether it's navigating an awkward conversation or finishing up a tough project, thinking about how awesome it will be when you get through it smoothly will really amp up your motivation.

TELL US: How do you stop yourself from procrastinating?

--By Caitlin Carlson, Women's Health

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