Friday Motivation: The Wasted Potential of Distractions and Procrastination

I was talking with my buddy Chad and asked for his thoughts on the subject of procrastination and distractions.

Here is what he had to say.

Procrastination can be a major barrier to success. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks and put off longer-term projects and goals, but this won’t get you to where you want to be in the long-run. 

To put it bluntly, a lack of time management wastes potential. It can be hard to stay organized and on-task, but the rewards for those willing to make the effort can be immense. 

Distractions are often cited as a major cause of procrastination. Whether it’s talking on the phone, scrolling through social media, or looking up random facts, it’s easy to get sidetracked and forget about the task that needs doing. 

Don’t let frustration get in your way. Perfectionism can be a great motivator, but don’t let it become an excuse for delaying your progress. At some point, you just have to bite the bullet and finish the task.

A great way to beat procrastination is to break a larger project down into smaller tasks. This way, you’re only dealing with one step at a time, which is a lot more manageable than trying to take on the entire project at once. 

Try to set realistic expectations. If the deadline is looming and you’ve still got some way to go, don’t be afraid to reassess your timeline and make adjustments accordingly.

Strict deadlines can be a great motivator, but if you’re consistently rushing to get things done, it may be best to give yourself some breathing room and start earlier.

Don't let the fear of failure hold you back. For some people, worrying about not meeting expectations can be paralyzing, leading them to put projects off until the last minute. 

Finally, don’t forget to take breaks. While trudging onward is great for getting things done, taking some time away can help you to stay focused and motivated. 

Try asking for help if needed. Procrastination can often be borne out of fear and insecurity, so remember that you don’t have to go it alone. Talking to a friend, mentor, or even just an online support group can be a big help. 

Having an accountability partner can also be beneficial. Knowing that someone else is counting on you can be great motivation to keep on track. 

When all else fails, sometimes it helps to just take a deep breath and dive in. It’s easy to overthink things, but you have to act if you want to make progress.