Nobody wants to miss a deadline, yet we willingly distract ourselves from meeting our end goals. This is a clear illustration of procrastination. Many of us are guilty of it, whether we like it or not.

If you find yourself delaying work projects, then you will benefit from these four effective solutions to beat procrastination:

1. Begin with Smaller and More Attainable Goals

Divide your projects into more manageable tasks to make them less intimidating. Create a master list of all the duties. Consider each task as its own unique objective which will help you work towards your bigger end goal.

Work one step at a time.  As you complete each task, you have more motivation to move forward. Having this mindset can make end goals seem more achievable.

Before you know it, you reach the finish line. And, you will be less likely to procrastinate because you will be making small triumphs as you go along.

2. Think of Small Rewards

Establish a micro-reward system.  Small rewards can help you accomplish your set task as you enjoy the positive effects of a reward.

For example, if you need to accomplish five tasks, select other activities that you find pleasurable. For every finished task, you engage in one happy activity. The more difficult the task, the more enjoyable the activity should be. Imagining the rewarding experience at the end of every task can propel you to act quickly.

Rewarding yourself at the end of each task can help you push forward as you move closer to your end goal.

3. Use a Timer

When you find yourself procrastinating, you may want to investigate what is it that that made you procrastinate. Usually, it is something that is pleasurable and unrelated to your project.

If you have a full workload, get a work timer to avoid distraction. You can also include your micro-reward system in this procedure.

Setting a schedule is an effective solution to beating procrastination. Set a time period in which you will concentrate only on the current task. You can use your smartphone for this. Once the timer goes off, you can engage in your rewarding activity. It can be drinking a cup of coffee, reading a chapter of a book, or listening to your favorite music. Once you finish with your small reward, return to accomplishing your task at hand.  Repeat the cycle.

Effective planning with these time schedules can help you finish your daily goals. You have the choice to organize your whole day or prepare time intervals the night before. Preparation can force you to complete a set amount of work in a given time frame. You may even find mini-reward breaks satisfying, pushing you to become more productive.

4. Re-assess Your Goals

If you find yourself consistently procrastinating, then it is time to re-assess your goals.

Many people procrastinate because what they are doing is unsatisfying. Find time to think about what you really like doing and create a plan to accomplish it.

Make sure that your goals are aligned with your interests and passions. A coach can help you to plan and reinforce your goals to avoid procrastination and help you stay on track.