Procrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder.
Mason Cooley
Author? Writer? Project Manager? On-the-job administrator? Are you one of those persons who find themselves with several lists of things to ‘finish’? Procrastinating it’s called. You start doing laundry, then realize you need to mow the lawn, or pick up groceries so off you rush to do that leaving several observable tasks undone. You mean well but it keeps happening. A task here, another there and on and on it goes. You never seem to catch up.
Well for people who struggle with completing projects and find themselves juggling multiple unfinished tasks, here are some effective strategies:
- Prioritize and focus:
- List all ongoing projects.
- Rank them based on importance, urgency, and potential impact.
- Choose 1-3 top priorities to focus on exclusively.
- Break projects into smaller tasks:
- Divide each project into manageable, specific steps.
- Create a detailed action plan for each step.
- Set clear deadlines:
- Establish realistic timelines for each project and its components.
- Use a calendar or project management tool to track deadlines.
- Implement the “Two-Minute Rule”:
- If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.
- This helps prevent small tasks from piling up.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique:
- Work in focused 25-minute intervals, followed by short breaks.
- This can help maintain concentration and prevent burnout.
- Create accountability:
- Share your goals and deadlines with a friend, colleague, or mentor.
- Regular check-ins can help keep you on track.
- Limit new commitments:
- Learn to say “no” to new projects until current ones are completed.
- Assess carefully before taking on additional work.
- Eliminate distractions:
- Identify and minimize common distractions (e.g., social media, unnecessary meetings).
- Create a focused work environment.
- Celebrate small wins:
- Acknowledge and reward yourself for completing project milestones.
- This builds momentum and motivation.
- Re-evaluate regularly:
- Periodically assess if projects are still relevant or necessary.
- Be willing to abandon or postpone projects that no longer align with your goals.
- Use visual progress tracking:
- Employ kanban boards or progress bars to visualize project advancement.
- Seeing progress can be motivating.
- Address perfectionism:
- Recognize if perfectionism is causing delays.
- Focus on “good enough” for initial completion, then refine if necessary.
- Schedule dedicated project time:
- Allocate specific time blocks for working on projects.
- Treat these as non-negotiable appointments.
- Seek closure:
- Develop a habit of finishing what you start, even in small ways.
- Practice completing minor tasks to build the “finishing” muscle.
- Learn from past patterns:
- Analyze why projects typically remain unfinished.
- Address recurring issues (e.g., lack of resources, skill gaps).
- Use the “Sunk Cost Fallacy” awareness:
- Be willing to let go of projects that are no longer serving you, regardless of time already invested.
Are you a procrastinator? If so, did any of the above appeal to you? Hope you find a few useful. Note that by implementing these strategies, individuals can improve their project completion rates and reduce the stress of managing multiple unfinished tasks. The key is to find a balance between focus, organization, and flexibility.
Happy Finishing!
