A Reddit User Has Found an Effective Solution to Fight Procrastination: Writing Down Tasks as Soon as You Think of Them

Procrastination is the habit of postponing tasks that you know you should be tackling. It often leads to increased stress and anxiety as you face them later. Despite this, a mysterious force seems to hold you back from getting started.

Rather than being a sign of laziness, procrastination usually stems from poor emotional management–whether it’s fear of failure, boredom, or feeling overwhelmed by the size of the task. The first step in overcoming procrastination is to recognize that you’re doing it. The second step is to document your procrastination tendencies.

The Procrastination Journal

Many studies and articles have been written about the psychological phenomenon of procrastination and several techniques to combat it. One Reddit user recently shared an interesting method for managing procrastination: keeping what they called a “procrastination journal.”

“I’ve always been a chronic procrastinator... I tried everything–pomodoro, website blockers and even meditation. Nothing works in the long run. But about 2 months ago, I started doing something that really actually changed things for me,” user crazypanda51 wrote.

The concept is simple and aims to help procrastinators understand when they procrastinate and the psychological reasons behind it. The idea is that every time you catch yourself procrastinating, you should write down three things:

• What you were supposed to be doing (e.g., completing the monthly accounting report)
• What you were doing instead (e.g., watching kitten reels on Instagram)
• How you were feeling (e.g., bored)

Although it may seem trivial, self-observation can reveal hidden patterns in your behavior. Pausing for reflection and taking notes in a journal can provide valuable insights.

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Additionally, keeping a record of your activities allows you to track and address the underlying issues that lead you, often subconsciously, to postpone certain tasks that challenge or bore you.

Understanding these triggers will empower you to anticipate and take action to avoid falling into the procrastination trap. The key is to be consistent and honest with yourself as you record your activities and emotions in your journal.

Discovering Procrastination Patterns Is Crucial

Reviewing their procrastination diary at the end of each day made the Reddit user realize that they weren’t just being “lazy.” Instead, they found out that they were avoiding specific tasks that caused them anxiety, insecurity, or boredom.

As a software developer, the user dreaded researching new features for their company’s products. Recognizing this pattern enabled them to address the problem more effectively.

By becoming aware of these tendencies, they learned to counter their instinct to procrastinate. They adjusted their schedule by changing the tasks assigned for days when they typically procrastinated.

For instance, rather than tackling their research tasks all at once, they broke them down into smaller, manageable goals. Essentially, this technique involves acting as your own assistant to anticipate your needs and facilitate your efforts to avoid procrastination.

Image | Alejandro Escamilla

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