Now, let us define procrastination. According to Merriam-Webster.com, procrastination is "to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it."
STOP PROCRASTINATION AND LET'S GET PRODUCTIVE!
We all have the tendency to put something that we have to do aside especially when we are not interested in the task. You have to consider that the longer you put it aside, the more you have to do later on. As you can probably recall from my previous post, we talked about how to effectively use a planner. This planner can come in very handy especially when it comes to setting up your own deadline.
The image above is a sample of how to set up your own timeline/ due dates.
The benefits of being able to set up your own due dates are to remind yourself of what you should be working on and be on top of your project. Doing something in small increments can lessen the load of work that you have to do when the real deadline is closing on you.
It is hard to be a student especially when you are taking more than three class that require you to do some type of project. This tip is quite useful because this allows students to visualize how much time they have until their paper or project is due. Instead of stressing out about not being able to put together your best work at the last minute close to your deadline, do small parts of your assignment at a time.
Non-students:
For those who have a busy schedule, using your planner and setting up deadlines, such as when certain bills are due and when you should start preparing for your work presentation based on your research, will help tremendously. This will allow you to work on whatever you have to and still have time to do other things in your life.
Tip #2: Get AHEAD
Utilizing your time in a way where you do certain mandatory task ahead of time to allow yourself to be stress free and have more spare-time to do whatever it is that you want to do. If there are small tasks that you can do in advance, do them so that you do not forget to do them. You can even use a check list to list the things that you need to do and check them off every time you have finished them.
Students:
If you have assignments that you think you can do right away, do them. This allows you to make more time for your long-term assignments, such as research papers and studying for your class.
Non-students:
Since you are not taking classes, I bet you have small things to do such as get gifts for your friends whose birthdays are coming up and research something for your job. To avoid stressing over forgetting your friends' birthday gift, shop early and put them aside. Then, have a reminder on your calendar or planner when the occasion is coming up. In addition, if you need to do some kind of research for your job, do it and write down your findings so that if your boss ask you about it, you have the answer.
Tip #3: PRIORITIZE
Determine your priorities. Decide what is the most important thing that you have to do and focus on doing it so. Find something that will force you to do what you have to do whether it is to write down your goals to remind you that in order to achieve your goals, you have to do this specific task.
Students:
If you have to read something or work on an assignment, find a space where you know you will not get distracted. Ideally, find a place where you know you will be able to concentrate. For me, I either go to school or the library because my house is just too distracting that I end up not doing what I have to do, which can lead to procrastination.
Non-students:
Try to do your work away from family so that you can focus on what you have to do. This will allow you to also concentrate on your work and not get interrupted and end up not finishing.
Overall message this week:
STAY ON TOP OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO
AND
DO NOT END UP PUTTING THEM ASIDE!
Sample Scenario:
Angelica Kim is undergraduate student in her second semester taking six classes (18 credits), taking part as a leader of three different students organization, interning in two different places, working part time, and tending to her loved ones' needs. She is also trying to get into graduate school so that she can start in the fall semester for the next academic year.
What will you do in this scenario?
What she did:
- Utilized her planner and set up her deadlines for her assignments which are written down on her planner to remind herself of the upcoming deadlines)
- Finished her small assignments for her classes and kept them in her folders ready to hand in whenever they are due
- Wrote down:
- Dates and times for work and internship
- Due dates for her research projects, presentations, exams, assignment due dates, and what assignments are due at what day
- Used sticky note to create mini to do lists for her weekends to remind herself of what she has to accomplish over the weekend
- In the back of her planner, she wrote down her goals, such as graduate sumo or magna cum laude, which serves as a reminder that she needs to do well in her classes
What happened to her?
I hope that my tips for how to avoid procrastination will somehow help you reduce the stress that comes with it. As what I said in my last post, it takes awhile to adapt organization into your everyday routine but this is beneficial for everyone. Organization allows people to stay on top of things especially those who have super busy schedule. I hope these tips will help you avoid those panic attacks when you forget to do something. If you know someone who may benefit from my tips, do not forget to point them to my blog.
Spread the word :)
If you have any questions or need help, just send me a message and I will do my best to help you.
Very good tips! I, too, find that planning ahead of time is a great way to keep on top of assignments and avoid those last minute "surprises."
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