How to Overcome Procrastination and Launch Yourself Like a Rocket Daily

Procrastination is killing productivity, affecting academic performance, causing health challenges, hurting the economy, and so much more.

1. According to a study conducted by the University of Calgary, about 95% of people admit to procrastinating to some degree.
2. Research by Piers Steel, a leading expert on procrastination, suggests that procrastination costs the U.S. economy around $25 billion annually in lost productivity.
3. A survey conducted by Salary.com reported that 64% of employees visit non-work-related websites every day during work hours, indicating a significant amount of time wasted due to procrastination.
4. A study published in the Journal of Behavioural Addictions revealed a correlation between higher levels of procrastination and increased levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.
5. Procrastination has been linked to poorer academic performance. A study published in Learning and Individual Differences found that college students who procrastinate tend to have lower grades compared to those who don’t procrastinate.

A very interesting plug for fixing procrastination is the 5-second rule. The 5-second rule, popularized by Mel Robbins, is a technique aimed at overcoming hesitation and taking action. Here’s how you can leverage the 5-second rule to enhance your productivity:

1. Identify the task: Determine the specific task or activity that you want to tackle. It could be something small like sending an email, making a phone call, or starting a project.
2. Countdown from 5: As soon as you have identified the task, begin counting down from 5 to 1 silently or out loud. The countdown creates a sense of urgency and interrupts any overthinking or hesitation that may prevent you from taking action.
3. Take immediate action: When you reach “1” in the countdown, commit to taking action without overanalyzing or second-guessing yourself. Start working on the task, making a call, or initiating the activity you identified.
4. Focus on momentum: Once you have started, aim to build momentum by continuing to work on the task or project. Often, the initial step is the hardest, but once you get into a flow, it becomes easier to maintain productivity.
5. Celebrate progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognizing your efforts and progress can boost your confidence and motivate you to continue being productive.

Hope this helps. Remember to share, like, and subscribe.

Kind Regards,

Adeolu Akinyemi.