Beating Procrastination . . . “the thief of time”.

by | Apr 11, 2025 | Entrepreneur, VAASA MEMBERS

BEATING PROCRASTINATION . . . “the thief of time”.

Written by Wendy Struyweg from Virtual Assistant 4U

I tend to procrastinate.  Sometimes not too seriously, but other times I can spend hours overthinking, telling myself I need to get started with a task – spending hours trying to motivate myself to start.  Before I know it, the day has passed me by without having done much.  As the hours pass I tell myself “tomorrow is another day”. I have had to seriously address and make a concerted effort to overcome my procrastination.  It is a work in progress which I work on daily.  Below are a few suggestions which I find helpful in my efforts to overcome procrastination.

Getting started is often the hardest part, but here are a few ways to make it easier:

  1. Understand Why You Procrastinate
  • Fear of failure or perfectionism.
  • Feeling overwhelmed by a big task.
  • Lack of motivation or interest.
  • Poor time management.
  1. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

Instead of saying, “Write my report,” break it down:

  • Research the topic.
  • Create an outline.
  • Write the introduction.
  1. Use the “Two-Minute Rule”
  • If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.
  • If it’s bigger, start with just two minutes—momentum will often keep you going.
  1. Set Deadlines and Accountability
  • Self-imposed deadlines help create urgency.
  • Tell a friend or use an accountability partner.
  1. Eliminate Distractions
  • Put your phone on silent.
  • Create a clutter-free workspace.
  1. Use Time Blocks
  • Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.
  • Longer tasks? Try 90-minute deep work sessions.
  1. Reward Yourself
  • After completing a task, give yourself a small treat—coffee, a short walk, or a favourite show.
  1. Change Your Mindset
  • Shift from “I have to do this” to “I choose to do this.”
  • Focus on the benefits of finishing the task rather than the stress of starting it.
  1. Be Specific

If you need clarity, instead of saying “I don’t understand,” try:

  • “Could you clarify what the final outcome should look like?”
  • “Which part of this task is the priority?”
  1. Explain What You Know

Show that you’ve thought about it:

  • “I understand that I need to create a report, but I’m unsure about the required format. Should it be a summary or detailed analysis?’
  1. Use Open-Ended Questions
  • Instead of “Is this right?”, try “Can you walk me through an example?”
  1. Use AI Productivity Tools
  • AI tools like Notion AI, ChatGPT, or Todoist can help with organization and motivation.
  1. Just Start!
  • Action creates motivation, not the other way around.
  • Start messy – perfection comes later.

Please visit Wendy’s website for details on how she will benefit your business with efficient and effective Virtual Administrative Assistant support.