What's the best way to stop procrastinating?

Answer 1

If the "just do it" approach really worked, you wouldn't be asking this question. I have had trouble with procrastination because off ADD, but poor time management can happen to everybody. My biggest help is my planner. I can list everything I need to do in one place. If I know there is a project coming up that I would normally procrastinate getting started, I break up the task into smaller pieces and schedule time to complete each step.

Say you have a research paper due in a month, set deadlines for each part, and schedule time to complete each step. My planning would look like this:
1. Pick topic-due Nov. 10th,
2. Meet with professor Nov. 15th
3. Research- finish by Nov. 22
In the days before each step I would schedule time to complete it, like "internet research" 1-3 Wednesday, "library" 4-6 Thursday, etc.

For me, to break each piece down to something I could do in a few hours a day or less helps keep me from being overwhelmed and avoiding the task altogether. It also keeps me from getting burned out on doing any one thing for too long and avoiding it the next scheduled time. Even if you have to break it down into 15 minute increments to complete the task-schedule it, get it done. You can get a lot done in 15 minutes, even if it sucks terribly, its only 15 minutes.

You just have to set your priorities and stick with it. If you schedule "library research" on Wednesday afternoon and a friend wants to go to the movies, tell them you're busy. Better yet, go when you finish your scheduled task. Then you feel rewarded for sticking to your schedule and you don't have to sit through a movie thinking "oh man, now when am I going to finish that research..."

This can be generalized over a variety of tasks and projects.

Since I've graduated college and I am now a mom of 2 toddlers and a part-time therapist, even simple things have to be scheduled for me or they just won't get done. I actually schedule my laundry this way. Since I don't have a deadline, I don't get so obsessive about the details, but it's much better to be a little weird about my schedule than living with mountains of dirty clothes. I also hate cleaning the bathroom, so I schedule it for a day that I don't have anything else that's unpleasant. Then I can say "hey, I cleaned the bathroom, I'm done for the day!"

A Franklin Covey planner worked best for me (but they are expensive), but there are a ton of varieties, or you can just use a simple notebook. Or your computer if you are so digitally inclined. The key is that it works for you and keeps you on task. (Without my planner, I am that guy in the blackberry commercial that stops walking and looks bewildered when his friend takes it away! I really would get nothing done! I hope you're not that bad.)

If it is a consistent problem, talk to you doctor about ADD. And even if it's not, the ADD community has a ton of products that can help (special planners, computer programs, products like watches with reminder alarms, etc.) Search for some websites and you might find something useful. I didn't know about these things until after college and boy would they have helped my gpa!

Well, hope this helps! Good luck! And get started already!


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Answer 2

The payoff you receive for procrastinating is most likely the reason why you find yourself repeating the pattern. Procrastinators put off tasks until the very last possible moment because, at that l a s t moment, there is a burst of energy from adrenaline and neurotransmitters released in response to the extreme stress the brain is under. Procrastinators get a natural high, a natural euphoria, by waiting until there is no more time to wait for completing the task, if he/she wants to succeed. Many procrastinators are known for saying, "I do my best work under pressure." That is actually not the truth, but it justifies the waiting as a worthy cause. The fact that you are feeling so tired and would rather not do the work right away is another factor. If you are tired all of the time, it may be that you unknowingly look forward to the rush at the last minute because you need a lift out of the typical daily fatigue. I've learned the hard way that early and steady preparation actually prevents the daily fatigue to some extent....I get a "second wind," a new burst of energy because I'm tackling something that is hard and I know I will conquer the task. Now THAT brings a REALLY good feeling....and it is MUCH better than the last-minute stressed-out energy lift and subsequent energy crash. (Okay, Saccade, be nice!) Consistency is what your body needs, what your brain needs, and what you as an individual need to find escape from the ever-present mental fatigue.

Answer 3

Place value on what you do and consider that time is a valuable commodity that waits for no one. Opportunities are often lost to others that are non-procrastinators....

Procrastination is:
Procrastination is the deferment or avoidance of an action or task and is often linked to perfectionism. For the person procrastinating this may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of productivity, the creation of crisis, and the chagrin of others for not fulfilling one's responsibilities or commitments. While it is normal for individuals to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.

The word itself comes from the Latin word procrastinatus: pro- (forward) and crastinus (of tomorrow). The term's first known appearance was in the 17th century, during a sermon by a Reverend Anthoney Walker on procrastination. The sermon reflected procrastination's connection at the time to task avoidance or delay, volition or will, and sin.

The links below can help you better understand why things are.

Answer 4

Never go to yahoo answers again! I'm procrastination right now, just like you probably are!

Answer 5

i'm having the same problem. make someone you live with hit you with a baseball bat everytime you procrastinate.

Answer 6

I'll get back to you.

Seriously if you ever find an answer you will be a millionaire.

Answer 7

just do it. decide to stop putting things off & act on that decision.

Answer 8

I will let you know if I get round to it

Answer 9

something to motivate you maybe. I don't know, that was just a guess.

Answer 10

hold on let me think about that one.