What to Do If You’re a Professional Procrastinator

Everybody dreads deadlines, but if you find yourself constantly pushing up against the clock, you're causing yourself more stress than necessary. We understand that the residents of our Chicago apartments are busy people, so we've compiled these tips to help anyone who struggles with the problem of procrastination.

Keep a Running List

Don't rely on your mind to keep everything straight—that's the easiest way to let things fall through the cracks. Instead, keep a running list of everything that needs to get done, no matter how big or small. Need to make a dentist appointment? It goes on the list. Have a huge project at work? It gets tracked too.

Look for a to-do list app that'll help you stay organized, or go the old-school paper-and-pen route. In either case, the important thing is accounting for every item you need to do so you have a clear picture of your deadlines and available timeframes.

Schedule Your Tasks

A schedule may seem like an annoying, regimented way to go, but it'll help you get things done. If you have a ton of stuff on your list, limit your errand time to fifteen- or thirty-minute segments, ensuring you take a break and reward yourself so you don't get overwhelmed. The more stress you feel, the less likely you'll be able to complete anything on your list.

Break tasks down into bite-sized chunks so you can actually complete little pieces each time your to-do window rolls around, and set a timer so you know when it's time to move on to something else for a while. This way, you'll know there's an end in sight in just a few minutes.

You'll feel great when you've checked some items off your list.

Commit to Your List

Once you get into the habit of checking deadlines, creating space to get stuff done and crossing off tasks, it'll become a habit. The initial work is the hardest part.

Our River North Park Apartments are close to all the awesome things Chicago has to offer. Will a cozy coffee shop help you concentrate? Would a co-working spot help you feel inspired to get things done? We invite you to take a tour of our community so you can see how the right home can change the way you do things!