Kick procrastination to the kerb with these micro-habits
Does the idea of homework sometimes feel so overwhelming that you just decide to ignore it and do something else instead? Whether it’s a new project, revision for an exam, or a hobby you promised yourself you’d start, putting something off until tomorrow is natural. We all do it!
But it’s way better to avoid procrastination’s sneaky, time-consuming ways, and just eat the frog instead. And by ‘frog’, we don’t mean dining on any actual amphibians… The saying comes from a quote by American writer Mark Twain, who said: ‘If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.’
In other words, he’s suggesting tackling the hardest or most important task first before getting on with your day.
How to eat the frog
Whether it’s a tricky project to start or a difficult letter to write, it can be easy to put things off, but that won’t stop these tasks from buzzing around in your mind like an annoying wasp. The eat-the-frog idea can be adapted to anything that’s proving tough, whether that’s making up with a friend or starting a difficult conversation with your parents.
But first, you need to identify the biggest frog. This is usually the task you’re fearing the most – such as difficult homework or studying for a much-feared exam. It’s generally the one that will take the most energy or focus.
Ignore the temptation to distract yourself or to put the task off completely. The frog won’t go away.
So, next time you’re faced with a tricky task, ditch scrolling through Netflix or TikTok and try to prioritise eating that frog and taking the first step.
Prefer tomatoes?
Eating the frog is not the only option if you find yourself putting off tasks. The Pomodoro (tomato in Italian) Technique is a work method developed by former student Francesco Cirillo, who used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to study in short, sharp intervals.
Start by setting an alarm – 25 minutes is generally a good length of time to maintain focus – then work solely on the task at hand until it rings. Allow yourself a five-minute break before setting the timer and starting the cycle (the pomodoro) again.
This allows your brain to focus on a single task for a manageable amount of time but not long enough to feel overwhelmed by it. Once you’ve completed one pomodoro, take a break and then start another, and slowly you will chip away at the job until it’s completed.
Use confidence boosters
Lack of confidence is another reason people put off tasks. If you’re feeling nervous about your ability to do the work, or think you might fail, step back from it for a moment.
Check your posture, take a deep breath, and recall times when you’ve done well and all the things you’ve achieved. It’s also a great idea to revisit a piece of work that you’re proud of to remind yourself that you can do it.
Need a confidence boost? Discover powerful ways to adjust your body movement and posture to reduce stress and promote self-belief
Developing other micro-habits
Whether it’s drinking water more regularly or cutting down on screen time, it’s a good idea to try to develop healthy habits to keep yourself happy and balanced.
Of course, it’s not always easy to stick to them, so it can be useful to start small with quick and simple actions that don’t require much effort. Choose micro-habits that slot easily into your day, like drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up or going to bed five minutes earlier each night. If you want to reduce screen time, for example, you could decide not to check your phone until after breakfast each morning. This will feel more manageable than not logging on at all but still get you to where you want to be.
Be kind to future you. If you always feel rushed in the morning, take a moment the night before to get your clothes organised and pack your bag ready for the next day. It takes only a few minutes, but it can ease the stress.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by social invitations, try delaying your responses. You could, for example, tell friends you’ll think about a request rather than replying yes or no immediately. This will give you time to work out what you’d like to do without making a firm plan straight away.
Whichever micro-habits you work on, however, you can be sure your amphibian friends will be safe and sound.
Words: Tracey Davies
