Procrastination support 101: How a 'needle list' can help you get to small tasks you've been putting off

You know all those small tasks that can take five minutes to complete but you keep putting it off because it might make you feel a bit anxious?

Here's a life hack that might help, thanks to EB's research.

According to the Huffington Post and Serena Wolf, a chef and the author of 'The Dude Diet', a life hack called the 'Needle List' might help with those small tasks that are often not done due to procrastination.

Wolf describes the 'needle list' as those small tasks that NEEDLE you to the point of annoyance because you know you need to do them but getting to them seems impossible.

These are tasks that live rent-free in your head because you can't stop thinking about doing them while procrastinating.

Tasks on a 'needle list' are typically personal (yes, not work-related), non-urgent and mildly inconvenient, and they can usually be completed in under 30 minutes.

Examples might include mailing thank you notes, responding to a personal email, cleaning the fridge, putting away all that stuff on your 'clothes chair' (you know the one) or getting that light, watch or necklace repaired.

Creating a 'needle list' by listing all the things you need to do with a designated schedule can lead to a decluttered mind and leave you with more time to do things you want to do.

Start your needle list by:

Listing things you need to do on paper or with an app on your phone.
The key is to keep the list in a visible place and make an effort to do them, one task at a time.
Cross each task off your list as and when you do them.

If you're struggling with mental health like having anxiety, for example, a 'needle list' list might help you sort, keep track and cross important tasks off your list.

Okay, the time to stop procrastinating starts... NOW!