Techniques to change procrastination habits?

Question

Procrastination is a really bad habit that I have. I've tried making schedules, lists of "things to do" - don't really work, in the end, I end up doing something else. I was wondering if anyone had some way to motivate themselves to kick out of the habit. And I think my problem is more like side tracking with other errands even though I know I have priorities to deal with first.

Answer 1

Procrastination is perfectly normal, and can sometimes actually be beneficial. First of all stop beating yourself up about it, we're all guilty of it at some point so don't be too hard on yourself.

We procrastinate when the task we're faced with is mundane, repetitive and doesn't particularly interest us. It's easy to sideline tasks that we don't want to do in favour of tasks that we find stimulating, enjoyable or just plain easy.

The problem is those boring tasks soon become urgent and begin having penalties for not doing them, this is often the motivation required to get it done - in other works it's a push motivation not a pull motivation - we do them because of what we don't want rather than what we do want.

One of my favourite quotes on procrastination is this:- "If you do what you've got to do, when you've got to do it, you can do what you want to do, when you want to do it." Try and keep this in mind, that the reward for doing those tasks that don't interest you is getting to do the tasks that do interest you.

To-do lists and other time management techniques are only effective when applied with self-discipline, and that's the hard bit. Only you can make the conscious decision not to put things off, and you'll almost always feel a wave of relief when you've done them. Best of luck with it, don't expect overnight results but try and embed it into your life that you'll get a warm fuzzy feeling by doing it now rather than later.

Answer 2

I feel for you. I am in the same boat your in. I put off today what I can do later in the week. Then next thing you no its another week.

I can past the post office five times a day everyday and have a letter or billed to be mailed. But that would entitle me to get out of my car and have to go in and buy stamps. Oh and lets not forget addressing the envelope.

I have had a sympathy card sitting on my desk now for three weeks. I looked for the address once and could not find it. So I said I will have to do it later.

There is never enough time in the day for the important things. Heck I have even started putting off my work.

I have a home office last week my boss sent me a 250 page document to highlight and go through. I just printed it last night. and he emailed to see how the results were going.

I think procrastination is an illness. I think there should be support groups in which a person can turn to for help.

In collge I was the biggest procrastinator. I would have a 20 page report due, and I would not start it till the night before.

I did that wil all my projects. I was still able to graduate fifth in my class with honors. But those who spent weeks working on these projects would get a lower grade then me.

For this one class I had to stand up and give an hour and a half presentation. We had a month to complete it. I did mine in one weekend, sat and sunday. and I got an A.

But now procrastination is controlling my life. and I know how you feel. I do not know if mine is because I am lazy or what.

the saying goes.

don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.

I had major lung surgery the last day in March. So I guess I am still using that as an excuss....

Maybe Dr Phil could help us.....

Answer 3

The only way I have been able to kick my procrastination is to change the order in my life of how i do things. I turned off the TV and started to do things at the time they need to get done.

Try to reorganized everything. Not just some things.

This wont be easy, but Good Luck

Answer 4

My way of dealing with procrastination is to not let it bother me. Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow? If you are a procrastinator, then embrace it. It's a wonderful gift.

Answer 5

do what feels right. when you get hungry it will feel right to eat. procrastinate if it feels right, only you have to live with your decisions. Government agencies will step in and take care of your dependants, your freedom, your rights to neglect responsibilities. just be happy you made the decision to live the way you do. or you can be miserable and live like the rest of us. ain't life grand? only you can decide what is important to you.

Answer 6

advance all your clocks an hour early so that youll never be late for everything always an hour eraly i do this when i was in college

Answer 7

call me next week for the secret.....

Answer 8

and it's procrustination actually