We've all done it. Kids, college kids and adults. We're all guilty of it. Procrastination. It's a hobby that we all share and it might be everyone's favorite past time. Either way it needs to be stopped or better yet controlled. It's easy to procrastinate. Even when you're trying your best to focus on the task on hand, there's this gnawing urge to just go do something else. Here's are some tips to deal with it.
1. Chill Out!!
The more stressed out you are, the harder it'll be to get your work done. Don't be angry with yourself. Move on and focus on what you've got to do instead. Guilt and regret are draining emotions. Wasting time yelling at yourself for not starting that 2,000-word essay two weeks ago Isn't going to make the essay go away. It will only make you extra tired and frustrated. It will also stress you out, likely making it impossible for you to finish your assignment at that time.
2. Have a Power Song.
Anybody at the gym knows that when you need to hit that last rep, that one song pushes you. So you need that one song to help you flex your mental muscles. Pick a song that really gets you energized, and play it whenever you want to tackle something you've been procrastinating. The brain likes to have a trigger to create a new habit, plus you're more likely to follow through when you're feeling good in your body.
3. Multi-task.
I know that sounds crazy, but it has worked for me. Keeping yourself busy will help you focus. The catch is, that whatever tasks your juggling, they have to be important. I don't mean do the dishes while doing laundry while writing a paper. The tasks have to be building blocks onto something else. So if your working on a paper or a spreadsheet, you should come up with a to do list for next week. You could come up with a grocery list. Have a journal next to your computer containing your thoughts. This way your not distracting yourself but still being productive. Do something that prepares you for the next task. This does work for me, but it might not work for everyone.
4. Get someone who'll hold you down.
Get a buddy to keep you honest. Someone to give you tough love and keep you on the straight and narrow. Ask a friend or family member if they'd be willing to partner up with you to check in on each other's work habits and accomplishments.You can plan fun outings with your buddy to reward both of you when you meet your goals. If you keep procrastinating, cancel these events as a little bit of punishment. That way you both know the risks and can lean on each other.