Are you always leaving things to the last minute? I’ve long considered procrastination as one of my biggest flaws. You may be fighting a similar battle.

Procrastination is one of those everyday battles. Like taking out the trash and washing the dishes. You aim to become one of those super productive types. You know the kind: the ones who get a week’s work done in two days so they can spend another five rubbing it in your face on social media.

OK, so it’s not all that bad. There may be space for some procrastination in your life after all. There are many creative people out there who swear by procrastination as means to a creative end. If you’re feeling bad about being a procrastinator, just remember that you’re in good company. I am a master procrastinator. But so are, and were, many much more famous people throughout history. Just look at this article from believeinmind.com for a list of famous procrastinators.

I like to think of procrastination as a trait more than a defect. And just like any trait, you can learn to manage it. It can be used for good, some of the time. But there are times when you need to keep it in check so you don’t fall behind.

If you know why you are procrastinating, it’s so much easier to manage it and get things done, without feeling like you’re going against your nature.

Why Do You Procrastinate?

People tend to think that if you’re procrastinating, you’re just lazy. I don’t think it’s quite as simple as that. Here are a few possible reasons:

• You loath the task: obviously, when a task is unpleasant or feels insurmountable, it can be hard to find the motivation to even get started.
• Your perception of time is out of whack:you feel like you have more time than you do, which gives you unfounded confidence in your ability to get stuff done… later.
• You’re distracted by instant gratification: you go for the fun shiny things because they make you feel better than the dull, challenging things. n that moment, they make you feel better.
• Anxiety: there is an evident connection between anxiety and procrastination. If something is making you anxious, you’re likely to avoid it as much as possible.
• Self-sabotage: because there’s no better way to damage yourself than to simply not get stuff done, until things seem irreparably messed up.

So, What Kind of Procrastinator Are You?

If you want to figure out how to stop procrastinating on those goals you really want to achieve but always find a good reason not to, you need to figure out what kind of procrastinator you are. Here are some options:

• The Exaggerator (or Drama Queen, you pick): when you find yourself facing a new task, do you see it as a huge, unconquerable challenge? Does folding your laundry feel like running an ultramarathon in the desert?
• The Hedonist: does instant gratification send you down unforeseen rabbit holes? Does Netflix and a beer sound so much better than working on reviewing your budget? (Of course it does).
• The Quibbler: Are you terrified of imperfection? So terrified, that you would rather not start something than get it wrong? When you try parkour, do you get frustrated and give up if you fail to become the next Jackie Chan after your first lesson?

How to Prevail Over Procrastination

1. Stop exaggerating:

Change perspective: even the most daunting goals can’t kill you if you don’t let them. Make sure you are keeping things in perspective. Take a step back. Stand up, lie down, try every angle. You might be surprised by what you see.

Concentrate on your reason: Why do you have to do the task? How will it benefit you? How will you feel when it’s finally done.

2. Break it down:

Baby steps: bite-size wins help you stay motivated and focused on the task.

Layout a schedule: set a deadline for each step. Stay accountable.

3. Break the cycle of instant gratification:

Work on your mindset: long-term results must come before short-term pleasure.

Celebrate your milestones: just like you do with your puppy, do something nice to reward yourself for making progress.

4. Learn to love imperfection:

If the options are imperfect or not done, it’s time to become comfortable with imperfect outcomes. If you don’t allow yourself to make mistakes, how are you ever going to learn and improve?

Revisit your goals: are your expectations realistic? Maybe you need to adjust your goals to make them easier to handle. Please note that this does not mean that you shouldn’t set ambitious goals. It means that maybe you need to change the way you intend to reach them.

5. Accountability is your friend:

Share your goals with someone: an accountability partner can help make sure you are staying on track.

Share your goals publicly: make announcements on social media. Learn to use peer pressure to your advantage.

You see, procrastination can be managed. It can be useful to you when you are working on more creative projects.

Sometimes, procrastination can be a way to take a step back from whatever you are working on and gain a fresh perspective.

Sometimes, on the other hand, you’re getting in your own way and stopping yourself from becoming the great person you were meant to be.

So, don’t aim to get rid of it all together. Just picture it as a tool: use it when it is useful and avoid it when it isn’t.

Take it from a master of procrastination.

Here are some interesting articles on procrastination:

• 11 Ways to Overcome Procrastination (Psychology Today)
• Procrastination: Causes, Types, and How to Overcome It
• 9 Famous Procrastinators Who Put Things Off Until Tomorrow
• How to Recognize Anxiety-Induced Procrastination | Psychology Today
• Self-Sabotage | Psychology Today