How to Stop Procrastinating as a Digital Nomad
Freedom, flexibility, and the ability to work from anywhere…it’s not hard to see why digital nomads are commonly perceived to be ‘living the dream’.
But for many nomads, the very freedom that makes this lifestyle so appealing is also what leads to a persistent problem: procrastination.
Without the structure of a fixed schedule or location, staying focused and productive can be a challenge. And this can impact not just work, but also our mental and emotional wellbeing, leading to increased anxiety, stress, and the risk of burnout.
But fear not, procrastinating nomads! There are plenty of ways to kick procrastination to the curb and take back control of your productivity.
Read on to learn more about the curse of digital nomad procrastination and how to get yourself out of a productivity-sapping slump.
Firstly, why do digital nomads procrastinate more?
1. The “infinite possibility” problem
As a digital nomad, the world is your oyster – and believe it or not, that’s part of the problem.
With an endless array of possibilities for how and where to spend your time, it can be hard to narrow your focus and commit to work tasks.
The freedom to work whenever and wherever sounds ideal, but too much flexibility can lead to a lack of urgency or accountability, making it all too easy to put things off.
2. Distractions are EVERYWHERE!
Whether you’re replying to emails in a beachside cafe in Bali, writing a blog in a bustling co-working space in Berlin, or working with a mountain view in Japan, distractions while travelling abound.
The allure of exploring a new city, chatting with other nomads, or simply enjoying your surroundings can easily pull you away from work.
Without a structured environment, it’s easy to procrastinate because the fun, exciting distractions are just too tempting.
3. Decision fatigue is real
As a digital nomad, you make more decisions in a day than most people make in a week – where to work, what time zone to coordinate with, how to balance work and travel, and more.
This constant decision-making can drain your mental energy and leave you with little left to focus on the tasks at hand.
The result? Procrastination sneaks in as you struggle to choose which task to start.
4. A lack of clear boundaries
Without a defined workspace or work hours, the lines between work and leisure blur.
You might find yourself thinking, “I’ll do it later,” only to push tasks back indefinitely because there’s no formal start or end to your day.
This lack of boundaries creates the perfect breeding ground for procrastination.
6 Proven Techniques To Win Back Your Time
1. Use time blocking to create a daily structure
At first glance, time blocking may seem rigid – but this proven productivity technique can actually give you more freedom and help you get more done each day.
By scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks and including everything you want to achieve on your calendar (including personal tasks), time blocking allows you to create boundaries that make it easier to focus while still leaving room for flexibility.
How to implement it
2. Eliminate minor decisions to avoid decision fatigue
Defined as “difficulty in making a good decision experienced as a result of the number of decisions one needs to take”, decision fatigue is a silent productivity killer.
By making decisions in advance for minor repetitive tasks, you free up cognitive space for higher-value considerations.
How to implement it
3. Set a timer for laser focus
Did you know that a simple online timer or physical stopwatch can be your best ally against procrastination?
By setting a timer, you create a sense of urgency that helps kickstart your brain into action and stay focused as it races to complete the task by the (self-imposed) deadline.
How to implement it
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