Do you have any doubts that it is possible to overcome procrastination once and for all? Maybe you have tried various methods and relied on your willpower, but did not succeed in the end?
The struggle of trying to do everything on time is real. And you are not alone in it: many thousands of people all around the world have such difficulties, too.
So, to fight procrastination, you can either use some self-awareness tools for everyday growth like the ones listed here, or take a peek at the ways of stopping procrastination with self-help apps & their tools.
Why procrastination happens: the emotional side of delaying tasks
Some think that procrastination grows from laziness, but that is a false idea. In fact, people tend to postpone because they feel emotional discomfort and overwhelm. A fear of failure plays a big role, too.
So, procrastinators won’t work better under punishment or criticism. On the contrary, if you feel like you always put everything off until the very last minute, you likely crave emotional support, clarity, and structure. And that is where self-help apps can come in handy.
How self-help apps make change easier
To get all that, you need some sort of planning tools with quick access to them. Mobile apps are a perfect option. A lot of them have plenty of features effective for clearing the clutter in your head and giving you a schedule where your ‘musts’ get balanced by ‘treats.’
To pick the best app for you, you can read user reviews. That’s how you will know how you can benefit from each app and what its most efficient functions are.
For example, if you take a look at the Liven app review, you will see that this app has a routine builder that perfectly fits the intention of overcoming procrastination.
Four tips to beat procrastination
So, when you have chosen your helping tool in your battle with procrastination, consider these four tips to choose the right features and get the best results from the app you have picked.
Journal to make things clear
Journaling is a great tool to declutter your mind. If you want to capture your thoughts and reflect on your feelings, this is the simplest action you can take. So, open the journaling app and write from your heart, share what you feel, and the ideas why it is that way.
This practice reduces inner chaos pretty well, so the tasks you have to accomplish will feel less intimidating.
Build habits to create constant action
Building habits means acting constantly for no less than 21 days—that is when it starts to settle in your routine. So, to make it work and not be boring, use apps for gamification!
Try keeping streaks, and use visual trackers to keep yourself motivated. You can add to it by making habit trackers by hand; there are a lot of colorful and creative DIYs online.
The longer you keep it, marking each successful day in your habit-making progress, the more emotional weight falls off your chest.
Focus and tackle tasks without overwhelm
What is the cornerstone of focus? It is clarity. Clarity in plans and intentions, clarity in the tools you are going to use. And to get that clarity, you need structure wherever you can have it.
So, the self-help apps usually support you well in that. They give you tools to break your tasks down into smaller steps, making them look achievable and lowering your stress levels.
Also, you can set timers to work in the Pomodoro technique and divide working hours from healthy breaks. This way, your chances of having a clear mind and being more productive go up drastically.
And finally, structured focus sessions that you can build up with a no-distraction policy prevent the avoidance you might catch from snowballing. Your tasks don’t just sit in your head anymore; they are carefully listed and scheduled so you can breathe freely and do everything little by little, one thing after another.
Mood tracking: spot your patterns
Are you always aware of your emotions? A lot of our feelings can pass unnoticed or unnamed. And also, sometimes it is hard to tell whether what you feel is, for example, overwhelm or anger, gratitude or relief.
Mood trackers in the apps can help you define your emotions and make them clear to you. And after some time of tracking, you will have the chance to see your patterns. It gets especially clear when you don’t only check in your mood, but also add some details about where you are and what you are doing at that moment. This way, you will be able to see how this data is connected.
For instance, you can notice that every time you come to the office, you feel anxiety, whereas at home, on the contrary, comforts you and causes peace. So, for better productivity, you can consider working from home if that is an option.
Mood patterns can be a great working tool in your hands in various areas if you give them a chance.
Summing up
Procrastination is an issue that requires various methods to fight against it. You can use apps to help you, but the key to successfully overcoming procrastination is being mindful in everything you do. No matter what apps or tricks you choose, remember your goal, set a clear intention, and become more self-aware. The better you know yourself, your thoughts, and reactions, the easier it is for you to do what you need without unhealthy postponement.
