Time to get back to business! Now that all of our summer vacations are over (or coming to an end), we all have to get back to our working lives, whether that means going back to school or going into the office for your job. After having a relaxing, refreshing, and rejuvenating break, it can be very hard to get back into the groove of homework, essays, and other serious tasks. That’s when a lot of us result to procrastinating on our tasks, leaving them to the last minute. Not only does this cause a lot of stress, as your work piles up and you become overwhelmed, but it also pretty much guarantees that the quality of what you are doing will be worse, as you have a lot of time pressure to finish.

These effects are exactly what we want to avoid! That’s why we at Little Steps have compiled some easy and effective tips for you to help limit your procrastination. Remember, there’s a difference between procrastinating and taking a break!

Make A List

It cannot be said enough! It is super helpful to write down everything you need to get done, so that you can physically see what tasks you have to complete in front of you. Whether you use a calendar, diary, to-do list or simply write everything down on a piece of paper, it is great to visualize what you have to do, and it will naturally make you more organized! Also, making a list of what you have to do will hopefully make it much easier to remember to do everything. Make sure you have a place where you can check off the task when it has been done!

Set Simple, Achievable Goals

Instead of trying to think about everything you have to do in one go, break it down into smaller, achievable goals. When you are writing your list, try to separate large tasks into smaller parts. Then every time you complete something, as you check it off the list, you will automatically feel more motivated to keep going! The tick-marks will accumulate, and so will your productivity.

Do Not Multitask

Many people may think they can multitask… chances are they really cannot! While it feels like you’re being more productive, all you’re actually doing is achieving half as much with half of the quality than what you would be able to do if you focused on just one thing at a time. It is much more efficient to finish one task and then move onto the next, as then your thoughts don’t have to go back and forth!

Get Away From Any Distractions

This is probably the most important step to take. PUT AWAY ANYTHING THAT CAN DISTRACT YOU! For most people, this means your phone, or your book, or even your pets! Try to find a quiet place, where you can be alone, without any distractions from your friends and family. If you have to use your phone or computer for your task, turn off notifications with the ‘Do Not Disturb’ setting on the iPhone. You can also place Screen Time restrictions on any Apple product, this allows you to decide and enforce a strict time limit on all apps! There are many apps that can help with procrastination.

Just Start

Sometimes, if you are feeling under pressure, you will try to push back starting your project for as long as you can. Sometimes there is a large sense of fear or nervousness to start, which can even feel paralyzing at times. The best way to fix this is to just start! Just write one word, or read one sentence; anything that you do to get the process going will be beneficial to you.

Reward Yourself

Another great way to motivate yourself to be productive is to reward yourself every time you complete a task! Plan to eat your favorite snack, or get 5 minutes to stretch, or get to play with your dog for a short time every time you tick something off your list.

Ask For Help!

If you need it, ask for help! Ask your parents, or coworkers or really anyone around you to help keep you on track with your work.

We hope these tips have inspired and helped you to get back on track with your busy schedule! Always remember, you can do this!