Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

Here's how you can beat procrastination and maintain motivation as a program coordinator.

As a program coordinator, you understand the importance of staying on track and pushing projects forward. However, like many professionals, you might find yourself struggling with procrastination and a lack of motivation at times. It's a common challenge, but there are effective strategies to overcome it and maintain your drive. By recognizing the signs of procrastination and implementing techniques to boost motivation, you can ensure your programs run smoothly and successfully.

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1 Set Goals

Clear and achievable goals are the cornerstone of productivity. As a program coordinator, break down your projects into smaller, manageable tasks with specific deadlines. This will provide you with a roadmap to success and help prevent the overwhelming feeling that often leads to procrastination. Remember, each small victory brings you closer to your ultimate objective, keeping your motivation levels high.

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Sarah Dawson, MBA, MEd, BA

Leadership | Innovation | Business | Education | Healthcare | Inclusive | Diversity | Empowering Others | Unicorn Finder | Culture | Technology | Nerd at Heart | Building Teams | Shaping the Future | Analysis | Brand
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One thing I have found to be helpful is have the deadlines visual. Using calendar white boards have been helpful as when upcoming events, projects and other pending tasks that may come up.

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Lionel Owino

- Child Protection & Safeguarding - Project Management - Community Development
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In my experience, setting SMART goals helps provide direction. 1. Specific 2. Measurable 3. Achievable 4. Relevant 5. Time-Bound Setting realistic goals, breaking down tasks, and allocating the tasks help track progress and who is in charge.

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2 Prioritize Tasks

Understanding the hierarchy of your tasks is crucial. Identify which tasks have the highest impact on your program's success and tackle them first. This not only ensures that the most critical aspects of your program are addressed promptly but also gives you a sense of accomplishment that can fuel your motivation to continue working through less critical tasks.

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Sarah Dawson, MBA, MEd, BA

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One thing I have learned is once the projects with their deadlines are visible, that is when you can start setting up a schedule with incremental deadlines and time to work on and to be able to work on all items. It is also best to leave notes of where you left off at and what items you are waiting on.

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3 Time Blocks

Time blocking is a powerful technique to manage your day efficiently. Allocate specific blocks of time to work on different tasks or aspects of your program. During these blocks, focus solely on the task at hand without distractions. This method helps you maintain a steady pace and prevents burnout by allowing for scheduled breaks and changes in activity.

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Sarah Dawson, MBA, MEd, BA

Leadership | Innovation | Business | Education | Healthcare | Inclusive | Diversity | Empowering Others | Unicorn Finder | Culture | Technology | Nerd at Heart | Building Teams | Shaping the Future | Analysis | Brand
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I find color coding the projects and blocked off times to work on the items works best also setting reminders to go off when needing to move on to next with notes of what you still need or waiting on. But allow buffer time in case something comes up that needs to be handled immediately or is pressing or if you had to work on a project longer.

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4 Beat Procrastination

Combatting procrastination often requires a change in mindset. Recognize the triggers that cause you to delay tasks and actively work to counteract them. Whether it's the fear of failure or a lack of interest, finding ways to overcome these mental barriers is key. Sometimes, simply starting on a task for a few minutes can break the cycle of procrastination and get the momentum going.

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5 Stay Organized

Organization is essential for maintaining motivation. Keep your workspace and digital files tidy, and use project management tools to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. A clutter-free environment and a well-organized project plan can significantly reduce stress and make it easier for you to stay focused and motivated.

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Lionel Owino

- Child Protection & Safeguarding - Project Management - Community Development
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In my experience, staying organized will help you avoid last-minute rush. Having daily or weekly to-do lists and monthly or quarterly work plans helps you work smart towards the achievement of set goals. Using project management tools like calendars, and project management tools like MS. Project will help you see where you're headed and if you are on track.

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6 Seek Support

Don't hesitate to reach out for support when needed. Whether it's delegating tasks to team members or discussing challenges with a mentor, having a support system can provide you with different perspectives and solutions to keep you motivated. Remember, being a program coordinator is a team effort, and leveraging the strengths of others can help you achieve your goals more effectively.

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Lionel Owino

- Child Protection & Safeguarding - Project Management - Community Development
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In my experience, seeking support and asking for help is important. Asking for support from colleagues, delegating tasks, and discussing challenges during huddles will help you leverage other experts' skills which will help tackle various challenges the program is facing and help you remain on track.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can beat procrastination and maintain motivation as a program coordinator.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set Goals

2 Prioritize Tasks

3 Time Blocks

4 Beat Procrastination

5 Stay Organized

6 Seek Support

7 Here’s what else to consider

Program Coordination

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Here's how you can beat procrastination and maintain motivation as a program coordinator.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set Goals

2 Prioritize Tasks

3 Time Blocks

4 Beat Procrastination

5 Stay Organized

6 Seek Support

7 Here’s what else to consider

Program Coordination

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