The Top 12 Ways to Instantly Stop Procrastinating

Project procrastination - we've all felt it! But what's the best way to deal with it?

We reached out to the Hometalk community and asked everyone what they do when procrastination strikes. The answers we got were actually pretty brilliant! Save these to pull you out of your next slump:

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Here's the full list:

1. Use Peer Pressure

Tell friends and family about your goal, so that you have to see it through.

Hometalker Lou Devillon recomends making a pact with a friend or partner. That way, you can "keep each other on task."

Another great peer pressure trick is throwing a party, says Hometalker Susie LeeMacomb. 'If that doesn't kick your productivity into high gear, nothing will!"

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2. Find Your Happy Place

Create a comfy situation where you want for nothing and have no excuse to get up and move around. Make sure you've used the bathroom and pull up a comfortable chair. "Try Music and your favorite beverage!" says Hometalker Ana Illausky says,

Viki Quick also reccomends music, but, she says, "absolutely do not turn on the TV! Once the boob tube is on, I literally cannot remove my eyes from the screen!"

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3. Switch Projects

If you're feeling uninspired while doing one project, keep up the productivity by switching to a different project for a short time. "I go work on another project and, if I am doing something mindless, like scrubbing grout, I often come up with an idea or inspiration missing from the first project." says Hometalker Jacalyn.

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4. Try the "Swiss Cheese Method"

Like a piece of Swiss Cheese riddled with holes, your 'to do' list is probably filled with tasks of all sizes and shapes. Focus on the little "holes" first, by knocking the small things off the list before moving onto the larger tasks. That way, you can get yourself into a productive mode, cross a couple things off your list, and be ready for the big projects. "The entire job starts to look less daunting when all the preparatory bits are done. it really works!" says Hometalker Dinah

Another plus of tackling the small things first? Hometalker Linda Deutscher says that starting small and setting realistic goals "motivates you to stay on task." Just tell yourself to "start in a corner" (thanks Judy Meli!) and it will be over before you know it.

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5. Work When You're Angry

Take advantage of a bad mood, and channel all that passion into productivity. It might not work for everyone, but some Hometalkers have found that they can get a lot done when they're in a foul mood.

According to Hometalker June H says, "If I get really upset with someone (like my husband sometimes), I can get a lot done in a short period of time, doing things that have been put off before."

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6. Lie to Yourself

Instead of psyching yourself out for a full project, tell yourself a white lie by saying, alright, I'll just do a little bit today. More often than not, you'll end up getting into a swing and doing much more than you planned (maybe even everything!)

"I tell myself that I'll only spend 10 minutes on a project. More often than not, that 10 minutes turns into 30 and I find it's worth staying with the task until it's completed." says Hometalker Denise Elkins.

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7. Put Something in Your Way

Take out the materials you'll need for your project - or even just a bulky reminder - and place it right in the way of your daily activities. Leaving a sander in the hallway or a couple planks of wood on the kitchen counter will be just the nagging you need to get the project done!

Hometalker Dorlis says this is her key - "I have found that I will get tired of walking around it very fast and take care of it!"

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8. Set Deadlines

This one might sound obvious, but giving yourself a deadline will keep you in line no matter the project.

"The only reason I get anything done," says Hometalker Mary Kalpos, is because I have deadlines." If you leave to much freedom around your finish date, you might find your project dragging on forever.

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9. Think About Tomorrow

If you don't feel motivated today, just think about how good you'll feel tomorrow when this is over and done with! "I have a saying on my kitchen wall," says Hometalker Carol Richardson, "that says 'This time next year you'll wish you'd started today.' Works for me!!"

Hometalker Barbara Valenti adds that "it will start to bother me and knowing that it will help my room look better when it's finished" helps get the job done.

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10. Remember: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect

If you're having trouble starting, it might be because you're a tinsy bit of a perfectionist. Try to remember that doing it now is better than waiting until it will be perfect. You can always improve it later!

According to Hometalker Sandra Hellewell, "one saying that gave me an AHA moment was 'Done is better than perfect.' I'm on a 2016 mission to just start!"

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11. Start with What You Want to Do Least

Knock that one dreaded thing off the list and everything else will be much easier. Hometalker Lorraine Deffenbaugh says that, "the rest of the list looks

better with the least desirable task crossed off!!"

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12. Give Yourself a Break

This might sound counterproductive, but actually, giving yourself a break may be just the lull you need to recharge your batteries. The most important thing to remember when you're trying to get a job done? Don't stress yourself out. Then you'll be uninspired and unhappy, which could even delay you further.

"I have to be in the 'zone' to get anything accomplished," says Hometalker Lisa House. "I may "plan" on doing a certain task tomorrow but if I wake up and can't get my head into the game, I won't even attempt to work on the project because I won't be giving it my best try. My grandmother would stop sewing if the thread would knot itself while she worked...she would say " it's just not my day to sew"...so I guess I inherited the tendency from her."

Next time your stuck, these tried and true tips should be just the trick to get you moving again.

Good luck, everyone, and happy Hometalking!