Ending procrastination with this 3-point plan of action

Let me guess: if you're reading this blog post, you're already procrastinating.

"But it's reading about how to stop procrastinating! I'm taking positive steps here!"

I've told myself that before. You're still probably procrastinating, though.

But don't get me wrong: procrastination is a common problem, so I want you to read this post. And I want to help you to stop procrastinating.

But I've read enough articles about overcoming procrastination that they might've driven me to go back to the work I was initially procrastinating from. Though this post does add to that glut of articles, I want to give people something more concrete.

In other words, this is the last article you'll ever need to overcome procrastination. (Just kidding.)

Too-good-to-be-true promises aside, I intend this plan to be a quick-start tool, not a comprehensive guide. It gives specific, actionable steps you can take to chip away at your procrastination problem right away.

1. Break down a goal into small, actionable steps

If you've read David Allen's bestselling book Getting Things Done, you'll recognize this tactic as the "Next Action technique." Basically, a large task or goal will stop you dead in your tracks, so know which steps you need to take to get there.

This technique requires some thought and planning, and you might have to adjust yourself along the way, but it's the best way forward to making the smallest of progress.

• Break the task down into tangible, achievable steps that can be done over a given period of time.

• Give yourself enough time and set realistic deadlines for each step to avoid overextending yourself.

• Ask yourself, "What is the next (as in, immediate) actionable step that needs to be done, and when does it need to be finished?"

Eventually, you'll have a list of short deadlines for each actionable step in your project.

For an extra bonus, put your deadlines on your calendar, such as Google Calendar, so that you'll be notified. In fact, use something like Google Calendar as a commitment to yourself that whatever you put on your calendar, you will do.

You can also use a Gantt chart, a project management tool that shows you the actions you need to take, how long each action will take to complete when each action is expected to begin and end, and which actions may overlap with each other.

2. Use the Pomodoro Technique

(Note: If you're in retail or a fast-paced sales or eCommerce environment, the Pomodoro Technique may require adaptation for your specific needs.)

In the 1980s, Francesco Crillo developed the Pomodoro Technique, a time management system designed to keep you mentally fresh, focused, and productive.

Once you hone in on a project, work on that project for a 25-minute chunk called a "pomodoro" (from the Italian word for 'tomato') followed by a 5-minute break.

After four Pomodoros, take a longer break of around 15-25 minutes. Simple.

I enjoy the Pomodoro Technique because often I discover that the "insurmountable task" that I'm reluctant to start is easier to accomplish when I start working on it for just 1-2 Pomodoros.

(Funnily enough, the tasks we're dreading can take way less time to get through than we initially perceive.)

Try experimenting with different tasks using the Pomodoro Technique. With enough trial and error, you're likely to find a sweet spot for different kinds of projects.

One tip on what to do during your Pomodoro 'breaks': stay away from your computer, phone, or tablet. Go out for a walk, do the dishes, wipe down your kitchen table, read a few pages of a book, etc. Avoiding screens during some of your breaks can freshen your brain more than Instagram or Twitter can.

3. Make the "Non-Zero Day" commitment

If you're an inveterate Redditor like me, you've likely come across the "Non-Zero Day" philosophy.

A "zero-day" is a day in which you accomplish nothing related to your goal. Nothing. You didn't read a single word of that book, write a single letter of that paper, or make one of many phone calls you need to make.

However, you've decided that each day will be a "non-zero day" from now on. That is, you won't go to bed at night without taking a single step, however small, to achieve your goal.

For example, you took a five-minute walk, wrote a single paragraph, made a single phone call, responded to that one email, and so on.

A string of non-zero days can really add up. What's more, as you better grasp the task you're performing through your 'non-zero' effort, the more experience and comfort you'll have with doing that task, leading to greater amounts of 'non-zero' work and quicker results.

Mix and match these techniques to beat procrastination

Ultimately, the most workable system for overcoming procrastination is the one you build yourself.

Experiment with the three techniques above in various ways. Try them out for a week, take notes on what's working and what is not, and refine the system so that jumping into your daily tasks becomes second nature.