Eight Effective Ways to Fight Procrastination at Work

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It’s not every day that people are always in the mood to do great things. There are just times that people feel like they don’t want to work or just get tired of doing things over and over again. These feelings often lead to procrastination.

Both neophytes and experienced workers have a tendency to procrastinate at times. This is because of many factors that trigger distraction and lack of focus.

If procrastination affects your productivity very badly, then do something to correct your habit. Do not allow less important things hamper your achievement of career growth.

What You Should Do

What specific things should you do to improve your focus toward your work? Heed the following tips:

1. Set your daily goals – Make sure that you have already prepared a to-do list right before you start your day in the workplace. If possible, you may put a checklist of your tasks for the day on your table. This way, you’ll be forced to accomplish all of your daily assignments. You may also use a planner so you won’t miss a single activity or any of your target. 

2. Come and leave on time – Always anticipate the problems that may affect your attendance. As much as possible, come early so you can still have enough time for some other things. This helps you focus more on your core tasks.

3. Practice proper prioritization – Know the deadlines of your projects so you can deliver the output on time. Also, have a good estimation of project completion. With good prioritization as your technique, you’ll be able to manage your time wisely and simplify your working pattern.

4. Know and fear the consequences of procrastination – Knowing the outcome of doing less significant things is but a helpful way to help you concentrate on your duties. Always remind yourself to fulfill your duties well so that you can reap positive results.

5. Identify your distractions and stay away from them – Know which things and activities waste your time so much. If they’re digital (social media or other web sites), then exert an effort to have them inaccessible on your end.

6. Get ready with your stuff – Even before you sit on your workstation, be sure that you have with you (placed near you) your glass of water or coffee, notebook, pen, tissue paper, and other things that you may need while working. This helps save time and minimizes distraction from other things.

7. Start with the “worst” task – Of your many activities, you may begin with the most difficult one. This will challenge yourself to work fast so that you can work on some other things.

8. Choose the right environment – Work setting plays a vital role in your productivity. Consider who you’ll be working with, as well as the presence (or more likely absence) of other objects, such as TV and radio. 

How about you? What do you do to combat the useless act of procrastination at work? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

6 Tips on How to Be More Productive during the Rainy Season

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Besides colds and flu, rainy weather also brings in the “lazy syndrome”. Most of us tend to stay under the sheets and enjoy the “bed weather” rather than go to school or work. No wonder late and absences are high during this season. So to help you fight laziness and be more productive, here are some tips:

1. Stay Healthy

Rainy season causes various diseases and you cannot concentrate on what you are doing if you are sick. So to avoid acquiring colds and flu, drink lots of water, take your vitamins, get enough sleep, and exercise whenever possible. It will not only give you energy but will also lessen your excuses for not working at your best.

2. Make a To-Do List

List your tasks for the day and make to you finish each item by the end of the day. Remove distractions and don’t let the gloomy weather affect you. Finish one task at a time and you’re done before you know it.

3. Take a Break

If you feel unproductive, instead of staring blankly on your monitor or sleeping, take a walk, socialize, or drink hot coffee or choco. Go back to work when you’re feeling energized.

4. Unwind

Unwind and relieve yourself from stress by doing what you love. Go on a date, watch movie, or go out of town with your family this weekend so when you get back to work, you’ll feel fresh and inspired.

5. Have an Energy Booster

Grab something sweet or gulp drinks with caffeine to boost your energy. A bar of chocolate, hot coffee or an energy drink will help you knock the sleepiness out of you.

6. Change Your Perspective

It’s a matter of perspective. If you let laziness kick in, then most likely you’ll spend the day looking at the clock waiting for it to hit the 5 p.m. mark. Maintain a positive attitude and make the most out of your time.

Don’t let the rain affect you and wash away your productivity! You have the control over yourself so it’s all in the mind. Enjoy the weather and make the most out your time.

Do you have other tips to fight laziness? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

How to Live Happily Being Single

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Whenever there are talks about single women, it is common to have some questions. Why don’t they settle down? Do they have a failed relationship?

For those who live a single life, it is their choice or the situation asks for it. It could be because of their partners’ death or a breakup. Whatever the reasons, you still have a good life to face.

We are in a society where there are single women. The good news is, they all cope and live a happy life. Here are ways on how to stay happy being single.

The Rules to Stay Happy

1.    Remind yourself that being single is not a weakness. It won’t be a bad mark on your personality. What will be a point against you is if you let this mess up your life.

2.    Create positive thoughts. There could be doubts on how you are going to live your life through the coming years. Insecurity may pull down your esteem. It is just normal to have a wavering feeling. But this should not weaken your aim to move on and live better. So look at yourself as a strong person who can live without relying on a partner.

3.    Bust out the old-maid myth. Don’t think that living without a partner will make your life less happy and meaningful. This is just an old adage to fill up a garbage can. You are a brave person that can redefine singleness into a fabulous concept. Isn’t it that behind every successful man is a woman? So who says that you can’t thrive on your own?

4.    Be thankful for what you have. Look around you and you have so much to appreciate. You still have your family, good friends, or children. They will always be there to listen and support you. What’s more, being single is not a glitch to solve. It is not as distressing as the problems on hunger, illness, and homelessness. You still have a worry-free life to take care and to endure.

5.    Focus on worthwhile things. Being single is not the end of the world. It should not stop you from you living. Now, you have all the time to improve yourself. You may take a new course to hone yourself to another field. If you are working, you can go for an extra job. These things will make you productive while forgetting past experience.

In truth, you should take pride to live in singleness. You are great and more than capable to live a happy and fulfilling life. You can find many benefits; thus, never regret being single.

Five Must-Do Ways to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

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As a person, we have to grow. Part of this is to face and overcome challenges. But one big block impedes us from taking the risk – we call it fear, right? 

And this great fright confines us in our comfort zone.

Your comfort zone, as always, is where you feel safe, at ease, and happy. You do the same routines or embrace things because you are comfortable with it. 

But, did you know that there's danger staying inside that zone? As you get too comfortable, it makes you weak. It denies you the edge to thrive in life.

Now, do you want to stand firm against challenges and grow maturely? Then create a big distance from your sweet spot. It could be hard, but there are ways to do it.

Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

If you want personal growth, then stretch out and try these things:

1. Accept that you are not perfect. 

And who is?  And why do you stay in your used-to ways? Is it because you avoid comments that will hurt you if you fail? The thoughts about pains and failures push you back to your comfort zone. You have to take that these are part of growing. In fact, everyone has to fall before she can get up. So accept that just like the rest you make errors. Perhaps, next time, you won’t be afraid to do new things anymore.

2. Pin down your limiting beliefs. 

You build your own safe area with thoughts that going beyond will be hard for you. Thus, this prevents you to step out and experience a wider place. Let’s say, you can’t stand and speak in many people. You said you don’t have the skills to convince people because you thought you can’t. So find your weakening beliefs and break them. Perceive that doing other things is easy.

3. Seek out different outlooks. 

Listen to other persons’ views. They could have experienced the same thing, and succeed in moving out. Get advice from them. Still, their words are just guides. You have to do things on your own.

4. Map out your moves step-by-step.  Start by adding new habits and changing your outlook each day. Work with it one step at a time. 

5. Direct yourself. You can create the right manual for your life. Reality is a complex matter. There are things that might keep you out of focus. So set your goals and steer to achieve them. This will drive you to change course and achieve more things.