I suppose there isn't really a long term cure, but how do you pull yourself out of it in the immediate? Sometimes I'm quite motivated and just get on with things, but I often procrastinate to a ridiculous extent and it's starting to p*ss me off. How do I break the cycle?
2007-03-05 14:49:50 · 8 answers · asked by The Mad Shillelagh 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Think about how you will feel to get whatever it is you are procrastinating about done. Focus on that, and just get started.
You can also try breaking things up in chunks, and work on it for 15 minutes. Sometimes once you get started, you stay motivated to get even more done.
Also - maybe set a fake deadline that's earlier than your real one.
Just a few thoughts and tricks I've used over the years. I'm a procrastinator by nature.
2007-03-05 14:58:57 · answer #1 · answered by Jen G 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi "Mad". Often procrastination is the product of avoiding something that scares us or is perceived as hard to do. The solution is to employ a process known as "Eat the frog first". Obviously, eating a frog is an unpleasant/scary thing to do. So, if you have to eat it, eat it first. Then you can enjoy the rest of your meal. If you procrastinate eating the frog, you will not enjoy your meal (you may skip it entirely just to avoid the frog!).
Do the hard or scary thing first. Then everything else will be easy and you will lose the feeling to procrastinate.
Best wishes and good luck. (Note: frogs are best eaten in one big, quick bite!)
2007-03-05 15:25:44 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from decisions raising in ones favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
This helps me a lot. Pass it on. ;)
2007-03-05 15:06:12 · answer #3 · answered by sustasue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Write down when things are due or need to be done. Pretend like it's due the next day. Kick yourself to start doing it. Think about what happened the last time you procrastinated and the consequences it held.
Little tid bits of advice...
2007-03-05 15:01:40 · answer #4 · answered by ydoyoucare 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Start small....don't look at the big picture, set small goals then finish, then add some more small goals. for example cleaning the house...instead of dreading the whole house, start with just the bathroom, say today I'll clean the bathroom, then do it, then plan for tomorrow the living room, take on the big picture in small reasonable goals...reward yourself at the end....good luck!
2007-03-05 14:59:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I know this may sound dumb.....
But try to envision the shame, humiliation, and let-down before its going to happen because you didn't act....let it be s driving motivator to complete your task now.
2007-03-05 14:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by Experimental876 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a habit .nothing else . what's the worst that can happen if you do things right away ?
2007-03-05 14:56:44 · answer #7 · answered by Maka 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll let you know tomorrow.
2007-03-05 14:58:36 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋