Procrastination. You know the feeling: putting something off, never quite getting around to that task. Maybe you hope that tomorrow it will be easier, but unnoticed, the bar just keeps getting higher. What really helps? A big motivational boost.

Starting to combat procrastination on your own requires a switch in your head, but you can also make it easier for yourself. You can do this by using smart external tools and agreements – which act as an extra engine, even when your own motivation falters. Below you will find not only the why, but no fewer than ten practical ways to give yourself a positive boost to tackle procrastination structurally.

Why do you need a positive boost?

The human brain often opts for short-term pleasure and comfort, even when you know that something will cause stress or extra work in the long term. External pressure, a little social control, or a symbolic threshold can help you get started more easily. The chance that you will persevere increases immediately when you don’t have to rely solely on your own willpower.

Five proven methods

1. Buddy system – Work together with a colleague, friend or acquaintance: share your goals and progress every day. Just a short message saying ‘I’ve finished …’ suddenly makes your promise and proof real.
2. Make your deadline public – Put deadlines in a shared calendar, mention them in the morning meeting, or make them physically visible on a board. Social pressure makes it feel less non-committal.
3. Express your intention concretely – Say it out loud, preferably to someone else: what are you going to finish, when and at what time? Ask a colleague to check in with you. The more specific, the better.
4. Apps & digital reminders – Apps such as Habitica, Stickk or regular reminders keep you on track every day. Link success to visual progress or a small “streak” overview.
5. Engage a coach or advisor – Ask a professional (or informal) coach to evaluate your progress with you periodically. Discussing your work with an outsider makes you prioritise more quickly.

Five extra, smart tools to keep you on track

1. Use financial incentives – Reward yourself when you complete a task or – even more effective – agree on a small penalty for procrastination. For example, set aside 5 euros every time you don’t do a task and donate it to charity (or your partner).
2. (Mini) challenge with a group – Take part in a challenge – for example, “one task per day for 30 days” – together with a team or online community. Peer pressure, fun and shared successes help enormously.
3. Physical reminder in your environment – Stick a post-it note on your screen, place an object (e.g. a special pen) on your desk as a symbol for “this task first”. Visual cues help guide your choices and encourage action.
4. Public promise on social media – Share your intention on LinkedIn, Instagram or in a group app, with the agreement that you will let everyone know when you are done. Public commitments feel less non-committal – and compliments when you succeed are a nice bonus.
5. Set up a reward or punishment system with housemates/colleagues – Discuss with colleagues or housemates that every postponed task will result in a small reward: getting coffee for everyone, handing out a treat, or doing a tidying job. Turn it into a game that is just stimulating enough to get you moving.

More practical tips:

• Break everything down into smaller pieces: What always works: divide large tasks into the smallest possible pieces. The simpler the first step (writing an email, opening a document), the lower the threshold to get started.
• Celebrate your success: Have you completed a postponed task? Give yourself a pat on the back, share the success, or take a five-minute break. This reinforces your new habit.
• Repeat & maintain: Don’t make your incentive a one-off trick, but a habit. For example, plan a new buddy round or monthly challenge every month.

Finally

Tackling procrastination is not a matter of persevering once, but of cleverly adapting your environment and habits. Use multiple incentives, test what works for you and be kind to yourself. Every action you take now is an investment in less stress and more satisfaction later.

Want to get started? Start today with one of the tips – and be surprised by what a little extra incentive can do for your productivity. By taking small steps consistently, you create clarity and peace of mind, making your work more effective and enjoyable. If you suffer from procrastination, chances are you follow a recognisable pattern. Are you curious to find out what type of procrastinator you are? Discover it in my short self-test (Dutch language).

Are you already convinced that procrastination is harmful to you?

Then register today – don’t put it off! – for my online training course Stop Procrastinating (Dutch language). Would you like to read more about the training course or register immediately? You can do so here.

Good luck!

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Are you interested in having your team work smarter, but not harder? A workshop or training Enjoy your Productivity gives you a unique opportunity to reflect on the way the team organizes their work, both on an individual level and on a team level.   

General information in Dutch may be found here. Please contact me for a tailormade workshop or training where both materials and instructions are in English.

If you’d benefit from personal attention for your own challenges, a coaching programme Enjoy your Productivity may be a smart choice. General information in Dutch may be found here. Please contact me for a first online meeting to get to know each other better. Naturally, this is without any obligation and free of charge.