HOW TO BE PRODUCTIVE AND STOP PROCRASTINATION!

Do you procrastinate and want to change your behaviour? Do you want to learn, how you can be more productive and less procrastinative? Then, you are on the right spot my friend. Now, don't procrastinate to read this blog! 

What is productivity?

Ever wondered, why some people finish all their tasks before handed and always refrain from last-minute hustle? Why aren't we able to match them? The reason could be procrastination. In the Merriam Webster dictionary, procrastination means the putting off intentionally the doing of something that should be done. When we procrastinate we not only allow the precious time to fade away but also let the present opportunities to slip from our grasp. Productivity is the opposite of procrastination.  Productivity in simple terms would be being active and always growing. Whatever you do, keep doing it and always focus on growth. 

Let's learn how you can stop procrastinating and boost productivity!

1.  #5 Ways to Boost your daily productivity.

What we do daily has an impact on our personality. Procrastinating work daily would certainly turn you into an obstinate procrastinator. As you sow, so shall you reap. Do you aspire for a healthy or wealthy future? Then you have to sow the seeds today and, nurture it until it reaps a golden harvest for you. Have you heard the proverb, 'tiny changes give remarkable outcome'? It is more than just a proverb, it is the truth of life. What if  I give you some tips which are tiny, easy to practice but, can have a remarkable outcome? Okay, let's twist our lifestyle a little bit and inculcate some habits which are quick, short, easy to practise and can boost our daily productivity!

a. To-do-list

It is easy to form a 'to-do-list' daily. By making a list, of what you are going to do in the day you can be more loyal to your task and wouldn't forget important things which have to be done. While making 'to-do-list', don't be too hard on yourself. Most of the people make a difficult list of things and then fail to do all the tasks. And in the end, they leave this habit. Write only what you are capable of completing at the end of the day. Don't make a promise of writing 15000 words or completing projects of the coming week. Be loyal to yourself. If you can't be loyal to yourself then how would you be loyal to others? So, start penning down your tasks for the day in your 'to-do-list' and strive to complete them. If you fail to complete your tasks,  'F.A.I.L. means First Attempt In Learning' A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

b. Not-to-do list

 When you pen down your 'to-do-list' make a column for the things which you want to refrain from doing. You can note in your 'not-to-do list' your bad habits and owe not to repeat them. Your bad habits would be sleeping for more than 2 hours in the afternoon. Or getting aggressive instantaneously. Don't allow people to suck your energy. Stay away from unnecessary arguments!

c. Stop multitasking!

How can you focus on 5 different works at once?

Multitasking is not appreciated because it leads to a loss of focus in work. Focus on a single task and do it with utmost effort rather than dividing your focus onto 5 different works. Today, urban city dwellers are multitasking to finish their work in a short period of time. Multitasking is not the solution to our problems rather it can prove to be the destruction in the long term. Do you want to finish your work before the deadline? then distribute your time per task. Don't work on several projects at once. Take a certain time to understand the project and then complete it with utmost effort. Add multitasking in your 'not-to-do-list'!

d.Mess creates Stress

The place where you work impacts your work!

The best selling author of 'The 5a.m club' and 'The Monk who sold his Ferrari' Robin Sharma advises working in a clean environment. As tidy surrounding fuels energy, motivation and allows one to give it's the best shot! A messy environment not only demotivates you from working but also refrain you from focusing on the work. The next time when you study or work, make sure you sit in a tidy environment free from all sorts of distractions. And don't forget to add cleanliness in your 'to-do-list'. 

Also if you want to study effectively, shine academically and learn passionately then do read my blog: How to study effectively? 

e. 90-10 formula

Do you feel drained after working for 5 hours continuously? Do you want to regain your energy to work for the next 5 hours? Then, follow this magical principle: Work passionately for 90 minutes and break fruitfully for the next 10 minutes. The 10 minutes break would recharge your body for a next high-packed 90 minutes work. Don't overload yourself with work instead follow this simple activity of working for 90 minutes and relaxing for 10 minutes to be more productive than ever!

(TIP: Don't wait for the right time to start, tomorrow is unpredictable)

2. #5 tricks to increase productivity while studying!

Are you able to submit your assignments before the deadline? If you fail to do so, don't worry I am going to give you some insanely practical tricks to increase productivity while studying. Are you ready to get into action mode? Okay, then let's go!

a. Don't keep work for tomorrow!

You must know the only thing, holding you back from submitting your assignments or doing any task on time is procrastination. Most of the students, keep the arduous task for tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow and God knows when they end up finishing their task. No task is difficult unless you consider it to be difficult. It's all about your perception. Similarly, you can't do anything if you think you can't but you can do enormous things if you think you can! Believe in yourself and don't keep work for tomorrow.

b. Social media kills productivity!

One must disconnect from all distracting mediums of electronics while studying. When you study, study with full-focus or else you are wasting your time pretending to be studying. A single notification ring evokes curiosity in student to check their social media and if they take mobile to check, Social plays it's part. This way Social media hinders the productivity of students. Don't let Social halt your productivity rather disconnect it while studying. So, here's a word of motivation for all the warriors in school uniform: The key to success is to focus on goals, not on obstacles.

c. Manage curricular and extracurricular activities efficiently.

Following a systematic time table, properly infused with curricular and extracurricular activities is vital for every student. Curricular and extracurricular activities are equally important. If we eradicate extracurricular activities from a child's time-table there wouldn't be any fun in their life, which would lead to loss of focus and interest in studies. And would further demotivate them from studying. It is extremely important to create a proper balance of studies and sports for the all-round development of the students. Study with full focus and play with utmost joy!

d. Don't cross the deadline!

Don't wait for the right opportunity to study, start NOW! Last-minute hustle is the result of procrastination. Prepare yourself for the coming exams before it gets too late. And, don't dare to cross the deadline!

3. #4 Ideas for staying productive during the quarantine.

Staying productive during the quarantine is not an arduous task. Quarantine gave us time to refresh ourselves from the monotonous lifestyle. A pandemic can definitely lock us in our home but, it cannot refrain us from staying productive. We can and we will achieve our goal no pandemic can stop us! The question is HOW? How to stay productive in this quarantine? 'Hakuna Matata', no worries. I have shortlisted some of the best practices which would allow you to stay productive even in the quarantine. How's the josh soldiers?

a. Enrol for a free course.

We often don't value free things, do we? Everything free doesn't mean it isn't worthy, sometimes paid things are also not worthy enough. You have the time and resources now, then what are you waiting for? Enrol for a free course and start learning and evolving yourself!

Some of the free courses are mentioned below👇

•  UpGrad is offering priceless learning through its program Upstart. They are providing free courses on Python, Java, Machine learning, Digital marketing, Management, etcetera. Do check them if you are interested in the above-mentioned fields.
• Google Digital Garage is offering a free course with 26 modules on Digital marketing. It is one of the best course to help you head-start with Digital marketing and make a career in that field.
  
• Check my blog TOP 3 BEST PLATFORMS TO HELP YOU UPSKILL! to get insights of some amazing platforms which would help to upskill yourself!

b. Learn new skills!

 Which are the skill in demand? and Which skills would be useful in the future? Technical, communication, financial and creative skills are the present in demand and future demanding skills. Technical skills like web developing, app developing, programming languages, data analysis, technical writing, etcetera. Financial skills like interpersonal finance, analytical ability and knowledge of IT and software. Creative skills like teamwork, leadership, project management, etcetera. 

Adapt according to the changing time and learn the skills which are in trend and which can be helpful in the future. So, start now! You can find video tutorials on Youtube and can find many upskilling programs on platforms like EdX, UpGrad, Coursera, Udemy, and online learning platform like Skillshare. Find out which platforms suits best for you and then head towards prosperity by upskilling yourself.

c. Read and repeat!

One of the best habits you can inculcate in this quarantine is reading! Many people ask questions like why to read books? 'There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on the treasure island' Walt Disney. Reading books helps to expand your knowledge in certain fields, it aids in understanding different cultures and philosophies, books liberate you from the clutches of narrow mindedness and above all they inspire and motivate the reader. The American based business magnate Bill Gates promotes the culture of reading and himself reads more than 50 books a year. Get recommendations from him on his own blog.

 And, if you want to know about some life-changing books, I have already made a blog on it.TOP 5 LIFE-CHANGING BOOKS. Go and check it out to get a glimpse of some amazing books. And comment down to let me know your current read, mine is 'Train to Pakistan' by Khushwant Singh, what about you?

d. Learn what you have been craving for!

Due to the quarantine, schools and colleges have been shut and most of the companies are adopting 'work from home' policy. Are there any positive aspects of this quarantine? Yes, there are. Before the lockdown, we seldom used to get the chance of staying at home but now, we have plenty and plenty of time as we are stuck in our homes. Start learning what you wanted to but, couldn't afford due to your hectic schedule. This way you will learn new things by sitting in your home and learning at your own pace. Question yourself: What is the thing I want to learn? Why do I want to learn it? Is that thing capable of adding value to my personality as well as my CV? As you get your answers, get into action mode!

4.# 4 ways to be productive and stay motivated.

The productive task should never be of boredom. It is your responsibility to take care that what you're learning/doing must arouse further interest in you. How to arouse interest in our task? How to be productive at the same time motivated? Let's learn then!

a. Avoid procrastination

If you want to complete your task before the deadline then stop procrastinating! Delaying a task for a certain period of time demotivates you from doing it and results in loss of interest at work. The best way to change the procrastinating habit is by completing the task on time. Make your 'to-do-list' as well as 'not-to-do-list' and strictly follow them. Procrastination is the thief of time, don't get robbed by it!

b. Switch off social media.

If social media is consuming more than 30 minutes from your day then disconnect them. Why? because don't let socal sites slurp your energy, focus and time.  The world besides you is far better than the fake creatures on Social media. If you feel that you are wasting too much time just scrolling on the news feed, disconnect yourself from it. Don't get brainwashed by it!

c. Goal, plan and achieve.

Why adjust for small when you are capable of achieving infinite? 

Make a clear goal of what you want to achieve and if you feel stuck, take help from family, friends and mentors in your field. Then, plan how you can achieve your goal. When you have your goal and plan don't wait just get started. Sometimes, you may doubt your abilities but, don't let it hinder you from achieving your goals. Don't forget 'practice makes perfect'! 

If you want motivation to recharge your spirit read this: A NOTE FROM A TEEN TO FELLOW TEENS.

d. Don't be too hard on yourself!

Most of the people underestimate themselves and end up never endeavouring what they want to achieve. Life demands courageousness, boldness to stand with right and sportsman spirit to keep hustling. You are capable of achieving anything you want, it is self-doubt which is hindering you from conquering the unconquerable. Read inspiring books, be positive and always believe in yourself. Don't be too hard on yourself and replace can't with can!

e. Rewards are great!

Rewards are always cherishing, isn't it? Do you remember the last time somebody rewarded you for your efforts? I do remember my rewards, what about you? The next time you finish a substantial amount of work or abide by your promise reward yourself. Your reward can be anything in adequate amount. It could be a piece of chocolate or an extra scoop of ice cream in your dessert.

 Reward, reward and reward yourself!

Conclusion

• A strong will to change can tackle procrastination. 
• Success can be achieved by making small yet productive changes in our lifestyle.
• Self-doubt is the thief of joy. You can do anything if you think you can!
• Don't keep today's work for tomorrow.
• Don't cross the deadline.
• Prepare a 'to-do list' and abide by it.
• Start small but start now!