I am a procrastinator and a real good one might I add. And although I have a habit of piling up my work, I always finish my work on time.

So, why did I feel the need to change my ways and fix my procrastination if the system worked fine?

Here’s my one and only reason, it’s stressful.

Procrastinating created unnecessary stress and anxiety over things that would be of no concern if we simply stopped procrastinating.

So, here are my 5 productivity hacks that help me be less of a procrastinator.

1. Wake up early

Waking up early is difficult but it’s seriously a life changer. Not only will you feel more energized, alert, and peaceful, but waking up earlier than needed creates extra time so you won’t need to rush. It’s this feeling of rush that all procrastinators hate but thrive off. When you wake up early, you can start to distribute your time better and appreciate the feeling of not being chased by time.

2. Have a morning routine

You want to establish a simple morning routine. Whether it be waking up at the same time each day, making yourself a cup of coffee, or checking and replying to your emails. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate routine you follow step by step but simply a single action each morning that gets you going. This routine behaves as a trigger to start your day which prevents you from waiting until 10 pm to start your tasks.

3. Establish a work cutoff hour

This is an important one. When procrastinators feel they have time to procrastinate, they will push the task back as long as possible. By establishing a time where you cut off your work hours, you are pushing yourself to complete tasks earlier. Instead of doing a project due tomorrow morning at 2 AM, you are now forced to finish by 5 PM the day before, when you cut off your working hours.

4. The 3 tasks rule

Recognizing that lists are of no help to chronic procrastinators, this rule is one you need to start making. Make a list each morning of the 3 most important tasks you must get done that day. The key point here is you have to choose 3 and ONLY 3. These tasks can range from simple things like, “go for a walk” or “grab groceries” on days you have less to do, to more substantial tasks, such as tasks for work or running errands. Limiting your task list ensures you carry out and accomplish at least 3 tasks every single day. It also helps you feel productive at the end of each day which keeps you motivated as finishing a task in a single day is often difficult for procrastinators.

5. Keep your phone away from your desk

Keep the temptations far away! This is an obvious one but just do it. Endless scrolling is a procrastinator’s worst enemy. Minimize your distraction and force yourself to focus on the task at hand.

Changing habits is always a challenge and results are never immediate, but when you recognize a problem and focus on bettering yourself, you’ll always be able to find a way. If you have been struggling with procrastination, motivating yourself, or are looking to become more mindful throughout your day, definitely try these hacks out and let us know if they work for you!