How to Motivate a Procrastinator

Procrastination is delaying an activity or action under one's control. Procrastination effects millions of people in all walks of life, including children, adults, professionals and students. There are many causes of procrastination including fear, anxiety and indecision. Procrastination can become debilitating if not controlled. Motivational thoughts and activities can be used to battle procrastination and its effects.

Setting Goals

• If you or someone you know is battling procrastination, try setting goals. Start with small goals. As each goal is accomplished, set a bigger goal. The satisfaction received from achieving a goal is motivation to go forward to achieving greater goals. Keep your focus on the goal and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Rewards

• Give yourself a reward for each goal you accomplish. If studying for a big test, take a break and a short walk after learning each section. Whether the person battling procrastination is you or a friend, looking forward to the reward at the end of a task can be enough to stay focused on accomplishing a goal. The satisfaction received from accomplishing a goal will be a reward in itself.

Praise

• A person who suffers from procrastination could also be facing low self-esteem issues which keep him in a state of indecision. This indecision keeps a person from engaging in the actions necessary to complete tasks. A word of encouragement or praise can go a long way towards restoring a person's faith in her own abilities.

Let Go of Perfectionism

• Perfectionism can be a cause of procrastination. The person may have unrealistic goals and expectations and will not attempt a task for fear that the results will not be perfect. Rather than fail, this person would rather not try at all. Try assuring this person that his effort will be good enough and that it is impossible to never make a mistake. Remind him that we can learn and improve from our mistakes.