How to Stop Procrastinating

We all procrastinate from time to time, whether you put off cleaning your room or wait until the last minute to pay your cell bill. But fighting the temptation to procrastinate can help you start living a more productive lifestyle. And it’s not about being perfect, but feeling empowered and in control of your new sober lifestyle. Our helpful tips can show you how to stop procrastinating, and get on top of your to-do list.

What is Procrastination?

According to Psychology Today, one is a procrastinator when they consistently put off what they need to do, and deliberately looks for distractions. Everyone does this sometimes. In fact, the American Psychological Association estimates that between 85 and 90 percent of college students chronically put off their assignments. However, when you put off your tasks on a daily basis, you are setting yourself up for failure. Therefore, you may need to try some of our practical tips to avoid procrastination.

Tips on How to Stop Procrastinating

Wondering how to stop procrastinating? Try one of these practical strategies to stop procrastinating and to get things done today.

Put it to paper: Take that mental list of all of the things that need to get done and plot it out on paper. This will not only help to clear your mind and ease anxiety but it will help keep you on schedule.
Take advantage of mornings: Do you typically put off daunting tasks until later in the day? While this can be tempting, you may consider another approach. Try arranging your to-do list according to difficulty level – and then tackle any tough tasks in the a.m. when you most likely have the most mental and physical energy.
Think baby steps: It’s natural to procrastinate when you’re feeling overwhelmed. The solution: Think of one small step you can take today to get started. This will help give you the momentum to reach your goal.
Loop in your loved ones: Telling friends and family about your short-and long-term goals can help you stay on task. This is because you’ll have someone there to hold you accountable – and you’ll be more likely to follow through (and on time).

Life Skills at Red Oak Recovery^®

Are you struggling with addiction? Have you put off finding an addiction treatment program because you don’t know where to look, or you’re nervous about what treatment may mean? Let Red Oak Recovery^® help. We treat many types of addiction, including:

Part of your addiction treatment program will be learning about how to use life skills, like defeating procrastination. From day one, our treatment model prepares young males with the skills needed to succeed in sobriety and in life after rehab, including the ability to set and meet goals. In addition to our life skills program, we also offer:

To learn more about how to stop procrastinating or how you can start on your journey toward sobriety, call Red Oak Recovery^® today at 866.457.7590.