If you want to be more productive in life, say goodbye to these 8 procrastination habits

Productivity and procrastination. They’re like oil and water, they just don’t mix. As someone who’s spent years diving deep into the practices of mindfulness and Buddhism, I’ve learned a thing or two about the power of focus and the perils of procrastination.

Procrastination is sneaky. It disguises itself as harmless habits, making it even harder to shake off. But if you want to be more productive in life, it’s essential to recognize and say goodbye to these habits.

In my journey as the founder of Hack Spirit, I’ve identified 8 key procrastination habits that can seriously hamper your productivity. And I’m going to share them with you so you can kick them to the curb.

Let’s get started. 

1) The illusion of multitasking

Multitasking might seem like a productivity hack, but it’s actually quite the opposite. It’s one of the most deceptive procrastination habits we fall into.

In Buddhism, we often talk about the power of mindfulness and being fully present. When you’re juggling multiple tasks at once, your attention is fractured. You’re not really present with any of them. It’s like trying to watch a movie, read a book, and cook dinner all at the same time. None of those tasks gets your full attention, and they all suffer as a result.

Research backs this up too. Studies have shown that multitasking can actually reduce productivity by as much as 40%.

If you want to be more productive in life, it’s essential to say goodbye to the illusion of multitasking. Instead, focus on one task at a time, giving it your full attention. This is where the magic happens.

Quality over quantity. Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to do everything at once. Prioritize, focus and execute one task at a time. That is true productivity.

2) Perfectionism paralysis

Perfectionism can be a real productivity killer. It’s something I’ve personally grappled with in my journey as the founder of Hack Spirit.

You know the feeling: you’re so worried about making something perfect that you end up not starting at all. This habit often leads to procrastination, as the fear of failure becomes more overpowering than the desire to achieve.

Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” Perfectionism is just that—a familiar form of suffering that hinders us from fully embracing the beauty of the process and the learning it brings.

If you want to increase your productivity, it’s essential to let go of perfectionism. Embrace mistakes as part of your growth and remember that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

3) Attachment to comfort zones

There’s a certain comfort in familiarity. But too often, this attachment to our comfort zones leads us straight into the arms of procrastination.

Buddhism teaches us about the impermanence of life and the importance of embracing change. But when we’re stuck in our comfort zones, we resist this natural flow of life. Instead of pursuing new opportunities or tackling challenging tasks, we opt for the path of least resistance.

While this might feel safe in the short-term, it’s detrimental to our productivity and growth in the long run.

It’s hard, I know. Change can be intimidating. But as Buddhism teaches us, change is inevitable and it’s only through embracing it that we can truly grow and improve.

If you want to be more productive in life, it’s time to say goodbye to your comfort zones. Embrace change, take on challenges head-on, and watch your productivity soar.

4) Mindless distractions

In this digital age, distractions are everywhere. From social media notifications to endless news feeds, it’s easy to lose ourselves in a sea of mindless distractions.

Mindfulness drives us to be fully present in the moment, to engage with our environment and our actions purposefully. When we allow these distractions to consume our attention, we’re stepping away from mindfulness and productivity.

These distractions might seem harmless, a quick break or a momentary diversion. But these moments add up and before you know it, hours have slipped by with nothing productive accomplished.

If you want to be more productive in life, it’s time to say goodbye to mindless distractions. Practice mindfulness, be more intentional with your time and attention. As you cultivate this habit, not only will your productivity increase, but you’ll also experience a greater sense of peace and satisfaction in your daily life.

5) Overloading your to-do list

I’ve been there. You start the day with a long list of tasks, feeling motivated and ready to conquer the world. But as the day progresses, you find yourself overwhelmed and barely making a dent in your to-do list.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I discuss the importance of understanding our limits and focusing on what truly matters.

Overloading your to-do list can lead to procrastination. The sheer amount of tasks can be overwhelming, leading us to avoid starting at all.

If you want to be more productive in life, it’s crucial to learn to prioritize. Not every task is equally important. Figure out what tasks have the most impact on your goals and focus on those first.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most.

6) Neglecting self-care

It’s a common misconception that productivity means constantly pushing yourself to the limit. But this neglect of self-care is a procrastination habit in disguise.

In both Buddhism and mindfulness practices, self-care is essential. It’s about understanding that our minds and bodies need rest and rejuvenation to function at their best. If we’re constantly running on empty, our productivity inevitably suffers.

But it’s not just about physical health. Neglecting self-care can lead to mental exhaustion, making it harder to focus, make decisions or handle stress— all crucial aspects of productivity.

If you want to be more productive in life, it’s time to stop neglecting self-care. Start prioritizing rest, nourishing food, exercise and mindfulness practices into your daily routine. 

7) Ignoring your emotional state

Emotions have a profound impact on our productivity. When we ignore our emotional state and try to push through, we often end up procrastinating instead.

Buddhist teachings remind us of the importance of acknowledging and understanding our emotions. As Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh puts it, “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”

When we ignore or suppress our emotions, it’s like trying to hold a beach ball under water—it’s exhausting and eventually, it’s going to pop back up.

If you want to be more productive in life, start by acknowledging your emotional state. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. By recognizing these emotions without judgment, you can better navigate them and prevent them from hindering your productivity.

8) Skipping breaks

This might sound counterintuitive, but taking regular breaks can actually improve your productivity.

In our quest for productivity, we often feel the need to power through without taking breaks. But mindfulness teaches us the importance of being present and listening to our bodies— and sometimes, our bodies are telling us to take a break.

Working nonstop can lead to mental fatigue, making it harder to concentrate and increasing the likelihood of errors. On the other hand, taking regular breaks can help refresh your mind, improve focus and maintain steady performance throughout the day.

If you want to be more productive in life, start embracing the power of breaks. They’re not a sign of laziness or lack of commitment. They’re a tool for maintaining mental sharpness and sustainable productivity.

Conclusion

Productivity isn’t just about working hard. It’s about working smart, being mindful of your habits and knowing when to take a breath.

Getting rid of procrastination habits is no quick fix. But by saying goodbye to these eight habits, you’re taking a significant step towards a more productive life.

Remember, it’s not about doing more but doing what matters most. And sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is to take care of yourself.

If you found this article helpful and want to dive deeper into mindfulness and productivity, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It’s packed with insights on how to live a mindful and productive life.

Here’s to your journey towards greater productivity and peace.