Techniques to Manage Procrastination

Top 4 Anti-Procrastination Techniques:

1. The 2-Minute Rule:

   • If a task takes less than two minutes to complete (e.g., sending an email, filing a paper), do it immediately. Do not add it to a to-do list.

2. The Pomodoro Technique:

   • Set a timer for 25 minutes. Work on one single task until the timer rings. Take a 5-minute break.

   • Why it works: It creates a false sense of urgency and lowers the barrier to entry (anyone can focus for just 25 minutes).

3. “Eat the Frog”:

   • Identify your most difficult or anxiety-inducing task. Do it first thing in the morning before looking at emails or messages.

   • Why it works: It provides a dopamine hit of accomplishment that fuels the rest of the day.

4. Salami Slicing (Chunking):

   • Don’t write “Do Monthly Report” on your list.

   • Slice it down: “Open Excel,” “Download data,” “Create pivot table.”

   • Make the steps so small they feel impossible to fail.