You know you should be getting work done, but you just can't seem to force yourself to get started. Procrastination is more than just being lazy - it's a genuine mental disorder.

There are many reasons why people find it hard to start working on something they know they have to do, but there are ways of dealing with procrastination. If you're struggling with procrastination, here are some tips that might help.

Know The Signs Of Procrastination

Everyone procrastinates from time to time. The key is knowing when you're doing it and why. There are multiple signs that may indicate that you're procrastinating:

• You put off a task because you know that there's a better way of doing it, or a more enjoyable way of doing it, but those ways won't do the job well enough.
• You have trouble focusing on something for an extended period of time.
• You avoid projects because they seem too big or too hard to do.
• You avoid work because it seems like there's no point in putting in the effort, even if the results will be good.

Identify The Triggers

The first step is to identify the triggers that cause you to procrastinate. For example, do you get distracted by checking your phone or social media? Do you put it off because you don't know where to start? Do you avoid it because it's unpleasant? Whatever the reason, identifying the trigger will allow you to develop a plan for how to deal with it. If checking your phone causes you to procrastinate, turn off notifications and give yourself a specific time limit on when you can check it. If you don't know where to start, break the task down into smaller pieces and tackle them one by one.

Set A Schedule

Working on a schedule is the first step to overcoming procrastination. The more specific your schedule, the less likely you are to procrastinate.

If you have a general idea of what you need to do, it's easier for you to get started. For example, if you know that it's time for you to work on your blog posts, but you don't know what to write about, look at your list of previous articles and pick one that is linked with the current time of year or event in the news.

Having a schedule can help with other aspects of your life too! If you set aside time each day for cleaning or cooking dinner, for example, then there's no excuse not to do it.

Create A Productive Environment

If you want to be more productive, the first step is to create a productive environment. Research has shown that people are more likely to procrastinate when they're surrounded by distractions. If you're easily distracted, try working somewhere quiet without many other people around. If you're prone to social media addiction, then it might be best not to work at your desk with easy access to your phone or computer.

Don't Be Afraid To Change Your Habits

We all have our habits that are hard to break. It's okay to change them! If you're procrastinating, it might be because of your habits.

If you think changing your habits will help, try this: focus on what you can accomplish in one minute. You don't have to worry about how long the task should take - just concentrate on the little things.

If you can make yourself concentrate on doing one thing for a minute, it might be easier for you to start tackling more complex tasks that are related to that first task.

For example, if you wanted to clean the kitchen, but you were having trouble starting, try cleaning out just one drawer first - then move onto another part of the kitchen. Eventually, you'll have cleaned the whole kitchen!