Procrastination getting the best of you? Try these tips!
Dealing with procrastination in college.
Break up complex projects or assignments into smaller units of work that you can complete in one sitting.
Reward yourself for completing each part of the assignment. Being firm, but kind to yourself is important. Even simple rewards can make boring or difficult jobs more tolerable.
Set realistic goals.For example, trying to read eight chapters of chemistry or a difficult novel in one sitting only reinforces the feeling that studying is an unbearable load. Instead, read twenty pages and then switch to other material.
Set aside free time. Set aside time for doing the things that make you feel good and stay healthy—jogging, watching a favorite TV show, calling friends, etc. Place your study times in your schedule first and then place these fun activities in your schedule as well. In this way, you will be less troubled by guilt when you play and less tempted to goof off when you need to study.
When hesitating to begin studying, try to tackle the task for just fifteen minutes. Often you will overcome the obstacle of having to begin and can stick with the task a little longer.
Realize that your paper or project will not be perfect, but it can be your best effort. A fear of mediocrity or a fear of failure can keep a person from really tackling projects.
How to quit procrastinating.
Create A Plan! Break the projects into a list of mini-tasks. Write each mini-task down.
Work One Hour! Work one hour without distractions on the task and see how much you accomplish. From that you will be able to gauge how much time the project will require.
Make A Calendar! Chart deadlines for each mini-task. Include rewards for having finished each portion of the project and schedule time on a weekly planner for each task.
Ask For Help! Make good use of other people as resources. There is no reason to be ashamed to ask questions or to seek help for a project.
Make A Contract With Yourself! Create a contract to complete a task and reread it when you hear yourself making an excuse. Have others sign as witnesses and hold you accountable to completing the tasks you need to do.
List Your Priorities! When you feel overextended, list your tasks and prioritize them. Focus your time on the most important and let the others go until you have finished what needs to be done first.
Set Boundaries! Say no to distractions and people who demand your time when the demands are not your priorities.
Face Your Fear Of Failure! Then focus on your positive traits. Use positive self-talk to change your perceptions. Talk to yourself as you would to a close friend you are encouraging.
Relax Your Personal Standards! Humans are incapable of perfection. Strive for excellence instead of perfection. Make it your goal to improve with each attempt. This goal rewards effort and allows for failure.
Why we procrastinate and some solutions.
PROBLEM: Unpleasant tasks
EXAMPLE: I put off a paper because it's boring and a waste of my time.
SOLUTION: Find something to write about that pertains to the subject you need to cover AND interests you.
PROBLEM: No structure
EXAMPLE: Watching "one more" Netflix show before starting homework.
SOLUTION: Go to an area with poor internet connection or take your notes on paper and NOT your laptop. Remove the temptation.
PROBLEM: Timing
EXAMPLE: I work better under pressure.
SOLUTION: Use the reward system. I will read my chapter and then get a smoothie.
PROBLEM: Anxiety
EXAMPLE: I'll wait to start this project. What if it doesn't work?
SOLUTION: Some procrastinators have a fear of failure. Shift your focus to an immediate reward. I'll start this project and talk to my professor to see if I'm on the right track.
PROBLEM: Self-confidence
EXAMPLE: I'm not good at math so I'm going to wait until my last semester to take it.
SOLUTION: Take the class first. When you pass it, your confidence increases and other goals seem more attainable.
