Many individuals don’t like the fact that they are procrastinators and when they try to pinpoint why it happens they find they are easily distracted. This can happen to the best of us, but once you are able to identify those distractions you can start making changes to stop them. You just may find that distractions are actually an excuse though to put off what you really don’t want to do.

In most cases, other people are a huge distraction that leads to procrastination. Yet other people don’t intentional distract you. How many times have you been working on something but your heart really isn’t into it such as studying or cleaning out the garage when someone calls you or comes over to visit. Rather than saying you are in the middle of something you engage in conversation with them.

Even though they made the initial contact, you are responsible for letting your own needs by known. Who knows that person may even be a good study partner or they can help you clean the garage up while the two of you visit.

If you really need to focus on a project then let it be known in advance to others that you won’t be available unless it is an emergency. Then dedicate your time to accomplishing your task regardless of how distracted you get. Reminding yourself why you need to stay focused on a project can help too.

Children can be a huge distraction for parents and thus procrastination starts. I might be cleaning the house or painting the kitchen. Depending on the age of the children they may be able to help you. If not, consider working early in the morning or late in the evening while they are sleeping. If you can finish the entire job in only a day then ask someone to help you out with the children and get it accomplished.

Some individuals do have medial conditions that cause them to be very distracted. This can lead them to procrastination because they don’t have the cognitive ability to focus on a task long enough to complete it. Intervention that involves a proper diagnosis, medication, therapy, and behavior modification can all help.