27Let’s face it; at one point or another, we’ve all been guilty of procrastination. It can be so easy to get derailed from the task in hand, especially if you aren’t feeling very motivated. 

If you often find that you end up prioritising the little jobs rather than tackling the big, all-important ones first, chances are, you’re a bit of a procrastinator! It can be difficult to get yourself into the zone and become focused on the bigger tasks, but it is possible…

To help you get a handle on your workload, we’ve put together a few ideas to make sure you keep on top of things and avoid stressing yourself out. 

Lists Are Your Friend 

It may seem cliché, but lists are an excellent starting point when it comes to being organised. 

• Step 1 – the first step is to write a list, starting with noting down the most important tasks first. Only you can decide what’s most important, so make sure you think about your priorities and put them first. 
• Step 2 – take the top 3 tasks and forget the rest for now. Concentrate on these 3, starting with number one. 
• Step 3 – put time aside to work on the first task on your list. If it feels like too much, break it down even further and try and turn it into an even smaller list of tasks. This will stop you from feeling overwhelmed and provide you with a sense of accomplishment as you work through the smaller tasks. 

Put a Small Chunk of Time Aside

If you have a lot on your plate – which you most probably will do – set yourself a target to do just 10 minutes of a big task each day. Alternatively, work out a schedule that’s more specific to your routine – but try and stick to it! Once you get started, it is much easier to continue. 

Avoid multi-tasking – concentrate on one task and see it through, then move on to the next. This is particularly important when you choose to focus on one big task. Getting bogged down with other things can take your eye off the ball and cause you to get easily distracted. 

Reward Your Hard Work

It may seem trivial but rewarding yourself for completing tasks can act as a huge incentive. Having a reward in place can help you see the task as more appealing and stop you from putting it off. At the end of the day, your business is of the utmost importance. So, do what you can to ensure you stay on track and in control.