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Everyone faces procrastination from time to time. But when it stops you from completing important tasks or you’ve become a chronic procrastinator, you need to take action!
In this blog post, I’ll share 13 ways for female entrepreneurs who are chronic procrastinators and struggle to complete tasks, struggle with time management and staying productive can take back control, overcome procrastination and become the master of their to-do list.
You deserve to be your own boss and make the decisions about how you live your life. You can only do that if you feel in control of your time.
I have gathered some hacks from my own life and work with other female entrepreneurs to help you become a productivity queen!
How to Overcome Procrastination
So, how exactly do you overcome procrastination when you want to become your own boss?
You can overcome your procrastination problem by recognizing when you are in the habit of procrastinating.
For instance, putting off important tasks like creating a presentation or making a phone call can cause problems If it becomes a pattern.
Do you find it hard to write a blog post? Or do you find it hard to make an important phone call?
What’s the trigger? What types of activities do you keep putting off?
The Cost of Procrastination in Your Business
We all do it, but it is costly when you run a business.
Procrastination is just a form of resistance that keeps us (you) from greatness.
If you do the things that you need to do when you need to do them, then how much stuff would get done?
Instead of playing on social media, write a blog post. Instead of recording yourself on video and looking at it again and again, get on with editing your video.
Everything you do gets you closer to your goals.
It is up to you to decide that you will stop putting things off and do your work.
It’s in your control. You can find the right strategy and start implementing it in your life.
It’s about making habits that you don’t even think about.
And I know that you will feel free when you realise that it is in your control and that if there is something wrong, you can do something about it.
How to Stop Procrastinating & Increase Productivity
Procrastination can be two things. First, it is how you feel about doing a specific task. Second, it is how you handle your time in general.
When you have a task that you don’t like, you will put off doing it until the last minute to do it.
If you add in poor time management, when your life becomes busier, it will be more likely that you become stressed and less productive.
Hacks to Kick Procrastination in the Butt
There are so many strategies out there, that finding the right one for you, can become overwhelming. So, let me give you my strategies for dealing with the Nasty ‘P’ word.
1. If it is a big task, break it down into smaller tasks
There is a reason why they say a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. The biggest step you can take in overcoming procrastination and becoming productive is to simply get started!
Once you have made the decision to become your own boss, it is important to follow through. Instead of focusing on the huge task at hand, break it down into smaller tasks. That way you can see your progress and build momentum.
2. Overcome fear of success
Too often, female entrepreneurs are afraid to take risks and pursue their dreams. Overcoming fear of success is an important step in overcoming procrastination.
When you are afraid to take risks that could lead to success, it only makes sense that your mind will encourage you to put off starting a business.
3. Overcome the fear of failure
Another reason female entrepreneurs find it difficult to accomplish their goals is that they are afraid of failing. Overcoming fear of failure is an important step in achieving success.
4. Overcome the fear of the unknown
Female entrepreneurs can also be held back by their own self-doubt. Overcome this fear of the unknown by realizing that you will be more likely to achieve success if you take risks and embrace failure as a learning experience.
5. Overcome ‘the yes’ syndrome
One of the best things that female entrepreneurs can do to overcome procrastination and become productive is to start saying NO. Overcoming the need to say YES all of the time will allow you to build more balance into your life and become more productive.
6. Stop the sabotaging thoughts
According to experts, women are more likely than men to engage in ‘sabotaging thoughts’ that keep them stuck in not-so-productive patterns. Instead of worrying about failure, think of it as something you can learn from and use to propel yourself forward.
7. Prioritize tasks
You should start every day by listing the 3 task that is most important to get done today.
These tasks are non-negotiable and must be done by the end of the day. The task should also be action items that will get you closer to your goals and will benefit your business.
8. Deal with The Ugly First
Ever heard the saying “eat the frog”. Well, this strategy is golden. Do the thing you’re least looking forward to and once it’s done you feel great.
“if you hate it but have to do it, get it done first.”
That’s right, all the nasty chores and nasty things on your to-do list get them done first thing in the morning. That way you get the satisfaction of knowing you’ve got it done and don’t have to worry about it again and you can get on with the things you enjoy doing.
9. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule
Use a calendar to organise your day and schedule things. If you know a task will take longer than 10-15 minutes put it on your calendar.
Simple isn’t it.
Better yet invest in a project management system like ClickUp or Trello, so you can stay on top of all your business tasks (and personal tasks too!)
10. Batch Away
I batch as much as possible. So, I create a months’ worth of Instagram content at the same time, I plan 3 months of blog posts and schedule in chunks of time to write the posts.
When you’re putting items on your calendar you can block off chunks of time to batch tasks.
For example, you can block off 2 hours on Monday morning to create promo graphics for your lead magnets and offers. You can then block off 3 hours in the afternoon to write.
So, sit down and brainstorm all the tasks you have to do in a week and see what you can batch together and batch away.
Having a project management system helps with this too!
11. Create Habits
Create habits around important activities you have to get done in your life and business.
Set a time every day when you write. So in that time you know you’ll write blog posts, sales copy, emails or anything else you need to write for your business.
I like to set specific blocks of time every week for Writing, Creating, Planning, Marketing and Maintenance activities in my business. As well as non-negotiable time for both my business and life.
Non-negotiable time is for important tasks and activities that must get done in your business & life that cannot be moved. This is the stuff you put in your calendar before you put anything else.
12. Have Clear Vision + Purpose
Be clear about your vision for your business and life. Know what your purpose is, in your business and life. So, when you get off track, you can refocus and get back to business.
13. Set Boundaries and Be Consistent
The first thing is to set boundaries and be consistent. This is the only way to keep up with your work and still have time for yourself as well as relationships and interests outside of work. This will also ensure that you do not overload yourself, thus creating stress and anxiety, leading to guilt
Be clear about what matters most and build a schedule around it, so you can get on with building the business of your dreams.
Final Thoughts
Procrastination is a tough habit to break, but it’s not impossible.
We hope that with the help of our 13 hacks for overcoming procrastination and increasing productivity you can stop putting off what needs to be done and start being more productive in your business.
We’ve highlighted some of the best ways for how to stop procrastinating and increase productivity in your business so go ahead and try out one or more of these hacks!
Whether you need help getting started on marketing tasks, are looking for tips on how to go from idea to launch with your new business then we have solutions for all women entrepreneurs starting service-based and digital product businesses!
