Breaking the Habit of Procrastination: Simple Strategies to Regain Focus and Productivity

In today's busy life, many of us have the habit of 'doing everything later.' Whether it's studying for an exam or an urgent office task, many of us start at the last minute, before putting it off for various reasons. This habit is called procrastination—that is, putting off work or unnecessarily delaying it. A thoughtful report in Anandabazar Patrika details how this habit is harming us and how we can gradually overcome it.

First of all, it is clear that many people mistakenly think of procrastination as 'laziness'. But in reality, it is basically a reaction of the mind, which often works without our knowledge. Fear, uncertainty, lack of confidence, perfectionism—all of these things can make us reluctant to start a task, or we can put it off over and over again. Maybe we think we can't do it, or we'll make a mistake, or our work won't be good enough—these thoughts hold us back. When social media, mobile phones, and various distractions are added to this, the situation becomes even worse.

The effects of this procrastination habit are subtle but pervasive. It reduces our productivity, increases stress, and often takes a major toll on our self-confidence. Not getting a task done on time not only results in poor results, but also creates feelings of guilt and frustration.Gradually, this cycle becomes a habit.

But the good news is, we can break this cycle if we want to. Anandabazar Patrika's report highlights some realistic and effective strategies in that effort. 

1.Divide the work into small parts 

A big task creates fear in our mind. To overcome that fear, we need to divide the work into small steps. This makes the work easier and makes us feel mentally lighter. For example, instead of writing the entire project, first create just the headline, then the first paragraph, then gather information—if you proceed step by step like this, the task will not seem so difficult.

2. Two-minute rule 

If a task can be completed in two minutes, do it immediately. Often we put off small tasks like replying to an email, organizing a file, or making a call. But completing these tasks quickly not only reduces some of the work, but also creates a sense of accomplishment, which makes us interested in bigger tasks.

3. Apply the ‘Pomodoro Technique’ 

Work for 25 minutes with concentration, then take a 5-minute break. After completing four Pomodoros, take a longer break. This technique helps you stay focused on the task and prevents your brain from getting tired. This is especially useful for those who cannot work continuously.

4. Consciously keep yourself away from distractions 

Mobile phones, social media, television—these are big obstacles in the way of work. So consciously keep yourself away from these while working. Work in a quiet, well-lit place where it is possible to maintain concentration.

5. Have an Accountability Partner 

Tell a friend, colleague or family member about your plan. They will remind you on time and encourage you. This is called accountability. This will make you mentally responsible and reduce the tendency to avoid work.

It is not possible to overcome procrastination in one day, but if you try a little every day, if you make small changes in yourself, it is possible to gradually break out of this habit. If you do the work you're thinking of doing later today, the rhythm of your life will change, and you will become more productive and confident.