Avoiding Procrastination

I was planning to work on this, but then I remembered that there was some reading I needed to look over first. And then I needed to get some lunch, which reminded me that I had to go grocery shopping. But then I sat down at the computer ready to start, just as soon as I checked my email and read my friend's latest blog, which mentioned this new YouTube clip, so...

Procrastination. We've all been there. So here are a few ways to avoid, manage or overcome procrastination.

Top Ten Tips

Definine your time: Procrastination is deeply connected to time management. Taking steps to organise your time - developing a semester, monthly, weekly or daily schedule - can help to clearly define the times when getting work done is your priority.

Make a task list: Often we procrastinate when work seems overwhelmingly huge. Making a list of the tasks required to complete or even just start the work can make it seem more managable. Identify tasks as individual actions that you can take, and that you can complete in a defined period of time. For example, find five relevant article on SuperSearch before lunch. Then you get the fun of crossing tasks off your list!

Reward yourself: Set goals, and reward yourself for meeting them. Rewards can be things like a trip to the cafe, phoning a friend, playing with your dog for ten minutes or a Tim-Tam (when you have been very good!).

Find an anti-procrastination partner: Make yourself accountable by telling a friend or family member what your goals for the day (or week) are, and updating them at the end of that time.

Create preliminary deadlines: If you are one of those people who 'can't work except when the deadline is looming', make your own deadline before the real one. (This is where your anti-procrastination partner can come in handy. Promise that you will give them your essay one week before the official due date). Preliminary deadlines also give you time to edit your work.

Control your environment: If you know that going online will lead you into hours of internet surfing, don't connect until your tasks for the day are done. If Jerry Springer is your downfall, try working at university rather than at home next to the TV. Remove your procrastination temptations from your workspace.

Use technology for Good: If it is important to you to catch up on the latest online updates, subscribe or use feeder services to get all your essential reading in one place. That can lessen the temptation to just keep clicking on links.

Create some options: Develop a range of writing techniques to get you started. Mind mapping, freewriting, writing in short bursts: these are some methods that can jolt you out of a writing rut.

Lower the wall: It doesn't all have to be done at once. It doesn't have to be perfect from the beginning. Give yourself one small thing to do that will get you a step closer to the end, and break you out of procrastination mode.

Links

Overcoming Procrastination
A general consideration of causes of procrastination, with some strategies for overcoming it.

Just Do It: Tips for Avoiding Procrastination
Aimed particularly at university students, particularly for dealing with written assignments.

Academic Coach: Getting on with it...
Some useful starting points for overcoming procrastination, with a very motivational tone.

Structured Procrastination
An amusing article on using the evil power of procrastination for Good.

Jump Start: Time Management

Survival Guide: Avoiding Procrastination

Review

Fred Orr. Study Skills for Successful Students. Allen & Unwin. NSW, Australia, 1992.

At a glance, this appears to be a simple little book written in a conversational style that includes humorous examples of student struggles and quirky cartoons. However, once you start to look through the index and refer to the relevant sections you will find it to be most useful, offering sound and practical advice on successful study skills.

The first chapter is on Personal Management Strategies, which is an excellent place to start and where you will find information and tips on how to deal with procrastination. The author has very insightfully linked the topic of procrastination with the related topics of Motivation, Concentration and Memory Enhancement, highlighting the fact that procrastination is not something to be dealt with in isolation but is part of the study process that can be targeted through successful study habits.

The book cleverly looks at not just how to avoid procrastination but also looks at some of the reasons behind the behaviours associated with procrastination. This is particularly helpful because if you can identify why you procrastinate then you have a better opportunity to deal with it. Ultimately, the book is concerned with changing behaviour patterns in an intelligent and practical manner. I love this book because it is quick and easy while remaining relevant and insightful.

Now get back to work!

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