What can I do to stop procrastinating?

Question

I do a lot:
I own a small bussiness, I go to school full time.
I seem to always have a long to do list.
I try, and yet always put things off, do everything the last minute.
I run late alot.
It drives me crazy, and yet I keep doing it.
Any ideas?

Answer 1

this works!
write down a top 10 list of the top 10 things that you have been procrastinating on, but simplify them.
ie. go to dentist becomes make a dentist appointment
wash your car becomes go to car wash
take clothes to cleaners becomes get clothes together to take to cleaners

etc complete the simpliest step the first step in getitng these things done

list 2 might look like

go to dentist apointment on 15th at 2 pm (appointment was made)
take clothes (already ready) to cleaners on way to dentist appointment
while at car wash on way back wash car

list should only be top 10 things that you have been procrastinating on

give yourself a month to complete the list its important that you feel that you have time to get it done (you will see youself get it done in a week anyway)

always simplify list this is the most important

use a big calander at home & write down any dates while planning your list.

look at it every morning & every night

write down anything that you are doing that day on a sheet of paper from your calander & that is your daily to do list . take that paper with you thoughtout the day write down any new plans on the back of the paper & scheldue it to your calander when you get home if something needs to be rescheduled from that day that did not get completed then reschedule it on the calander as well, then my favorate part is to throw that piece of paper away.

don't get a pocket planner if you lose that you lose your whole years worth of planning.

hope this helps

ss

Answer 2

The payoff you acquire for procrastinating is obviously the cause why you discover your self repeating the sample. Procrastinators eliminate duties till the very final feasible second due to the fact, at that l a s t second, there's a burst of power from adrenaline and neurotransmitters published in line with the severe strain the mind is below. Procrastinators get a usual prime, a usual euphoria, via ready till there is not any extra time to watch for finishing the assignment, if he/she desires to be successful. Many procrastinators are identified for announcing, "I do my great paintings below strain." That is truthfully no longer the reality, however it justifies the ready as a invaluable purpose. The proven fact that you're feeling so worn out and might as a substitute no longer do the paintings instantly is an extra aspect. If you're worn out all the time, it can be that you just unknowingly appear ahead to the frenzy on the final minute due to the fact you want a boost out of the normal every day fatigue. I've found out the rough approach that early and regular education truthfully prevents the every day fatigue to a point....I get a "moment wind," a brand new burst of power due to the fact I'm tackling anything that's rough and I recognise I will triumph over the assignment. Now THAT brings a REALLY well feeling....and it's MUCH higher than the final-minute pressured-out power carry and next power crash. (Okay, Saccade, be fine!) Consistency is what your frame demands, what your mind demands, and what you as an person have to discover get away from the ever-gift intellectual fatigue.

Answer 3

This is a cognitive change, which are the hardest in the world. It is possible to stop, but it's a matter of seriously forcing yourself to do so. If you want it bad enough then you can stop. It's a cognitive change, but yet, it needs to be physically changed by you. It's all just a matter of getting up and doing whatever needs to be done.
I will study the art of procrastination at some point in my life once I'm a researcher. I think a pill would be an ideal way to fix this. Ideal but probably not feasible.

Answer 4

Trust me, I have a problem with this as well. My solution? Figure out which ones on your list are the most important. Write 5 of them down and do the 5 for the day. Keep that up and eventually you can add one each day until you can get them done a little at a time. If you overwhelm yourself, you'll need ulcer medicine.

Answer 5

have you tried a schedule? An actual one that is in writing. Make a list of your tasks to complete and start with the small ones, you can get alot of them out of the way, then start with the bigger ones. Break the bigger ones down into smaller sections and tackle tasks that way. Every time you have a few minutes, try to cross something off your list so you can have your evenings to yourself.

Answer 6

i agree w. the first response. definitely make a schedule. make it as big as you need to; make as many as you need to. i used to have really really bad problems w. this. i would procrastinate making the schedule. but just take a piece of paper, write down times you know you will be occupied, including travel time. and make a checklist of all the things you have to get done, trying to give yourself a realistic time amount to do it. it will be hard. and make yourself a check box for later that night that says to make a schedule for the next day so that when you wake up, youll know what you have to do. eventually it becomes a habit to make it, and youll be very proud of yourself, i promise.

Answer 7

Digg has a few submitted articles on Procrastination that you might want to check out:

http://digg.com/search?search=procrastinating&submit=Submit

Answer 8

I do this as well. My answer would be to work on self discipline. Set reasonable deadlines for yourself, and stick to them. Good luck!!!

Answer 9

Stop fighting it. Just go with who you are and let it all sort itself out naturally.

Answer 10

I'll have to think about it and get back with you later.