Tips to stop Procrastinating..

[Joel]

I've started using the 30-30 work cycle. For 30 minutes, just buckle down and work as hard as you can, put your phone away, turn off the TV, I usually put on classical music as it helps me focus (no idea why). Work as hard as you can, with no distractions for the 30 minutes, and then take a break for a half hour. On your break, do whatever, ps3, gtp, run, watch tv, drive, do something fun to get your mind off work and refresh. Then come back and with for a half hour again, and just repeat until the work is done. There's a handy website with timers for this work cycle, just google "magic work cycle" and you should be able to find it.

It works for me, because big assignments like essays and such are broken down into smaller, manageable blocks of working at peak efficiency. I stay motivated, because there's the promise to yourself of a half hour break soon, and you also are always working at that efficiency you have when you're getting down to the wire, because you know you only have 30 minutes to work, so I work harder that way. All in all, it cuts down on the "i'll just check facebook" interludes which are meant to be 5 minutes and end up being an hour of wasted time on the internet.

 

[OwensRacing]

I'll read this later.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

Noticing a lot of the posters here are full time students... My assignments are done in the evenings after work and I procrastinate a lot. I mean, I've done 8 hours of other work... Why should I then start something else for yet more hours in the evening? My PS3 never hurt anyone, I should give that some attention first.

Certainly shapes you up for later when you are constantly busy though, you realise how much you respect having full days for work like this. As other people have said, use the time wisely and disperse the breaks throughout. On my days off the best thing that can be done is to set an alarm. Its tempting to have a lie in since I've been getting up at 7.30 all week, but you maximise hours and ultimately that means more free time in the long run that isn't wasted.

I read someone mentioning the 30/30 cycle, but for me clock watching doesn't work. Its trying out a range of things and working out what works best for you. In my assignments for instance, I realise where certain break points are. So it may be at the end of the introduction I will take a quick break (introduction is 30 minutes work). Bulk of the report is broken up, but ultimately when done its over 50% of the work so I'll reward myself with a longer break. It means you don't stop to break in the middle of a good mental run. As I'm going I'll have good thoughts about what to write about next, and its best to keep that going whilst fresh, rather than be complacent (its too easy to say "I'll remember that later").

 

[Driving Park]

1. Get off the Internet. Turn off your computer entirely if necessary.
2. Get out said work.
3. Complete said work.

(Unless said work requires the use of the Internet)

Music that helps you focus is good. I would recommend music without words that you can listen to without focusing on listening to it. Try eating something and drinking a glass of water before you begin.

In the end, you've just got to suck it up and realize that you're going to have to put off your entertainment for a while and get the work done. That's it. Once you make the work your top priority (which it should be), it will get done.

 

[the Interceptor]

I have no tips as such. I just wanted to say that I suffer from procrastination pretty badly, and that its a quite serious problem many people don't realize as such. I have started reading an often recommended book (in German of course). I'm still at the beginning, but I am staring to see where the problems are.

The thing is that all the obvious arguments like rewarding yourself for done work or penalizing yourself if you haven't done it simply do not work. These are facile solutions to facile problems. Procrastination however is deep-seated within yourself and points to serious problems with your sense of self. Thus, it can't be circumvented with simple tricks. Another part of the problem is that people do not respect this, so they mostly think that you're just lazy or dumb. They do not understand the forces within yourself and how the inner struggle prevents you from seeing a task clearly.

The only true solution is to get help, either from reading a lot about it and starting to work on yourself, or even by talking to a psychotherapist. It is a long and hard process, but if you suffer from a serious case (and more people than you think do), it is the only thing to do.

Here are some good reads:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070110090851.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112110106.htm

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

I used to get my parents to proof read my assignments, adding that if the assignment wasn't complete for them to read by the deadline I had agreed with them I owed them £25 each.

Giving away hard earned money isn't in my nature, so the work always got done!

I did the same thing when I did my first half marathon and mud run, betting £100 with the friends that were running with me that I wouldn't walk, even if I had to jog on the spot at checkpoints.

If I really feel like i'm going to put off doing something, for example if i'm feeling ill or tired, i'll put a ridiculous amount of money on the line (£500-£1000). Obviously you have to have someone to hold you to this. In my case it's my girlfriend who is waiting, like a vulture, for the day when I mess up and have to add to her shoe fund. Over my dead body.

 

[Vince_Fiero]

Procrastination however is deep-seated within yourself and points to serious problems with your sense of self.

Sounds a lot like Emotional Intelligence, that topic might help you.

Just one approach: Do you want to succeed?
List what you need to do to succeed.
Make a plan to do this in the time available.
Find relaxation activities that are limited in time, but work like a charm for you.

Do the tasks you need to succeed and when you need to, take your relaxation (that is limited in time). Track your plan and adapt if needed.

The issues leading to procrastinating are:
1) Not clear what you want to reach => motivation issue.
2) Not clear what you need to do => preparation issue.
3) Not clear if you will make it => planning issue.

Relaxation is a trap, you need it, but you need to limit it. I gave up on simulators when I started university, since I have trouble limiting time with them.

Now if you do not want to succeed, procrastinating might not be that bad: keep that in mind, the choice is yours. You can avoid the things that distract you!

 

[AlexGTV]

Make yourself like the coursework. If that doesn't work or it is artificial (you can't fool yourself) motivate yourself through competition. Set a standard only YOU will know on how you think you can do. Often that standard will be lower than you think and you will work more to be better. Then what is left is to not procrastinate to finish, the little touches, don't be perfectionist, be yourself, fulfill the standard that you will choose.

Also, starting work early is the best tactic. Because if you are late then the standard is imposed by that, the time left. Which is usually pretty low. Second best advise I've heard is take breaks so that you read the thing from a second perspective, this will make it better.

 

[shmogt]

Omg I thought of a great idea to help you! Screw it I'll tell you later.

 

[OwensRacing]

Omg I thought of a great idea to help you! Screw it I'll tell you later.

Nice!

 

[RYAN]

employ a huge great ugly beast of a woman to whip and sit on you untill your done.

 

[shmogt]

It's a waste of time giving tips guys. The OP wants to know but he keeps putting off checking this thread for tips.