how do you deal with procrastination?

Question

i am a big procrastinator and have a big school assignment due soon. i need help, like, getting ideas of how do get it done.

Answer 1

tell yourself to do a little bit everynight. for example if it's a paper write a paragraph every day. a project you could plan it out the first day, start it 2nd day, construct any visula mosels the 3rd. day etc.
Good Luck

Answer 2

I hear ya Jenna, I need to get off my butt also and get some more packing done. But no, here I sit writing in Yahoo Answers. So I guess we both need to get off our butts and get busy. I always wait until the last minute then I run around like a chicken with my head cut off.
Good luck and go get an "A" on that assignment and I will go pack a couple of boxes.

Answer 3

I'll tell you later. no, just kidding, but i couldn't help myself.
i used to be pretty bad with that, until i realized that i could go ahead and perform the task as soon as it was presented before a deadline then i had time to refine the solution before it was due.
some people work better under pressure but most times it isn't their best work, that being said, you could lose out on better grades, or a promotion at work. i still kinda s**k at doing things around the house though, but i got a big fat raise so it's all good.

Answer 4

I don't, I procrastinate too much to think about other things that get in my way!

Answer 5

Reward yourself. I asked my psych teacher the same thing and she said to put something that you can reward youself after your done. I tried it, but i hav ea major project due tomorrow and eh,.. Its a matter of self control and pushing yourself to do it. Good luck

Answer 6

Wait until tomorrow, I am sure you will have thought of something by then.

Answer 7

I'll tell ya later!

Answer 8

Can I get back to you?

Answer 9

organize, prioritize, push yourself

Answer 10

heres what i found for you its got solutions at the end...


Mini Lesson
Bringing Procrastination
to its Knees


Not everybody procrastinates!

It's a dirty little secret that none of us likes to admit to, but nearly all of us engage in. We procrastinate. Sometimes, we even have to postpone activities that we like so we can catch up on all the other tasks that we've neglected. Procrastination is a frustrating habit of poor time management that can mercilessly sidetrack relationships and careers.
Procrastination is probably the single most common time management problem. Those who procrastinate consistently do so to varying degrees, and experience a wide range of repercussions. Effects range from a minor slowdown to a major catastrophe. Highly effective people have learned to stave off procrastination; just how have they done this?

The following suggestions may help you get out of the cycle—and may help you set a good example for those with whom you interact. By using specific, concrete steps, you can confront and diminish your own tendency to procrastinate.

Take a close look at your own procrastination. Do you put off similar tasks every month, such as paying your bills? Or do you postpone every task, no matter how small?

Recognizing the self-defeating cycle of procrastination is often a motivator in itself. Procrastinators often cannot enjoy a personal life like others. They often end up working late and at odd hours, leaving them tired, cranky, and behind on all the other work that is piling up. Commit to improve your procrastination habits to yourself . . . and others, too. Losing face can be a powerful motivator.

Discover your pattern of procrastination, and note when and where you use procrastination as a crutch. Consider the following possible sources for procrastination and how they can be overcome:

Fear—Some procrastinators actually fear doing the task or project at hand because the task or project requires them to move out of their comfort zone. The thought of doing something different or unknown freezes them into immobility. For example, when people defer making phone calls, they may do so because they fear that the other party may not like what they have to say or will somehow reject them.

Becoming aware of your fear can help you eliminate it. Write down your strengths and skills; then recall previous successes. By becoming aware of and acknowledging your weaknesses, you can leverage them into strengths. A coach or mentor can help you identify weaknesses that are really hidden strengths. Focus on your own needs and expectations rather than those of others.


Perfectionism—This is probably one of the more common reasons for procrastinating. Perfectionists avoid starting a task because they fear they might fall short of their own high standards. They sometimes become absorbed in the details of a project in an attempt to control it. As a result, they ignore moving it along until the very last minute: They don't have to face their fear of imperfection if the task is not done.

If you suspect that you are a perfectionist, closely examine your standards and values. Are they really yours, or someone else's? Are they set so high that they are causing you distress? Work at shifting your thinking about standards and values, and set realistic goals.


Crisis making—If you have spent many years feeling thrilled or rewarded by being under time deadlines, you are probably a crisis-maker—one who thrives on adrenaline. Crisis-makers truly believe they cannot get motivated until the very last minute. As much as they complain about having no time, they get a charge out of running late for appointments, barely getting to the airport on time for a flight, and rushing from one unfinished project or task to another.

Often they make others mad because they manufacture a crisis and then solve it at the last minute. In so doing, they either make themselves look good, or they totally blow it, infuriating their friends and colleagues and making themselves look bad in the process.

If this defines your style, you will have to work to bring balance to your life. Learn how to develop a rewarding life outside of work. Avoid trying to get esteem or personal emotional needs met at work, and learn how to increase your productivity and quality of work while eliminating the adrenaline rush.


Expectation anxiety—This is a tough one. If you stop trying to become a "better person" for other people, you'll realize that the person you are is just fine. Once you learn that your faults can be wonderful teachers, that mistakes are golden, and that your weaknesses are usually just hidden strengths, you begin to accept yourself.

Once you accept yourself, you realize that you always do your best and then the expectations of others become less important. Work with a coach or mentor to get past this one.


Overextending—Those who overextend themselves, the over-doers, have the hardest time recognizing themselves because to them, everything is important. Prioritizing, delegating and saying "no" are not the strong points of over-doers.

If you fit this description, identify what is necessary to accomplish the task in a given amount of time. Try to get a sense of the entire project and what is required to complete it. Set goals for what is to be accomplished and when, and break goals into smaller sub-goals. For example, concentrate on one section of a report at a time.

Most of all, try to under-promise and over-deliver.











Developing solutions

Schedule your tasks—Start with the most unpleasant task—to get it over with—and work through your list until you get to the easier ones. Do something daily on your project, adding new tasks and projects as they appear, even if it is only for five minutes. Write down two or three things you can do toward task completion that you can accomplish in five minutes, and then do one of them. Then, reward yourself.

Schedule work on one of your avoided tasks so that it is contingent upon something you already normally do and enjoy. For example, tell yourself, "I'll work on my monthly report for half an hour before going to play golf."

Make a list of the tasks you must undertake to complete your project. Set priorities for each task, and mark each one off as you complete it. Then, reward yourself.


Take action—When it comes time to do your task and you are tempted to procrastinate, make yourself sit down for five minutes and think about what you are about to do. Envision the emotional and physical consequences of procrastinating—and of following through on your plan to work. After you think this over, go ahead and do what you decide is best, with no apologies or second thoughts.

Imagine how you would behave in the next hour or day if you were not a procrastinator. Get a clear picture in your mind, and then act out that role. Pretend, for the next hour or day, that you are not a procrastinator. When you are done, evaluate your "acting." Did you do a good job? How did it feel?

When you feel an impulse to work on your project, follow up on it. Do it at the moment you think of it, and keep at it until you don' t feel like it anymore.

Decide on a specific reward for completing your project on time. Make it realistic and follow through.

Watch for mental self-seductions into behavioral diversions. These often take the form of, "I'll do it tomorrow," "What's the harm of a half-hour of TV now? I've still got time," "I deserve some time for myself" or "I can't do it." Don't just give in to these arguments . . . battle them. Create a dispute in your mind. These disputes can sound like this: "I really don't have that much time left and other things are sure to come up later," or "If I get this done, I'll be better able to enjoy my time" or "Once I get started, it won't be that bad."

If getting started is a challenge for you, create a "10-minute plan." Work on a dreaded task for 10 minutes, and then decide whether to continue.

If you become stuck in the middle of a task, change location or position. Take a break, or switch subjects or tasks.

Listen to some thoughts on dealing with procrastination.


Rely on your friends or a coach—Make a contract with a friend or coach to get a specific task done.

Consult with a mentor, coach, peer or friend to help you with your project and offer advice about how to proceed.

Make a lunch or dinner date with a friend, or call your coach. Tell these individuals that you want their support, and that you want to talk about your feelings about your project; that you want them to encourage you.

If you have something frightening to do—such as an important presentation—ask a friend or your coach to listen while you rehearse what you have to say. This will help you face, and then cope with your fear.


Keep a journal—Write in your journal every day to give yourself credit for what you have accomplished, to genuinely forgive yourself for backsliding and to plan your next anti-procrastination activity.

In your organizer, identify rationalizations, confront yourself and redirect yourself to your task. Recognize negative attitudes and write down positive, encouraging attitudes. If you get mad, write out your frustrations and anger in your organizer. If you make a mistake, write out the interesting, beneficial things you learned from it.


Maximize your energy—It also helps to identify and take advantage of your personal energy levels. If you are most energetic in the early morning, plan to accomplish your toughest tasks when you first arrive at work. Match your most challenging task with your peak energy time. And don't lose sight of your hope for changing your habits.


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