We've all been there. There's a project, paper, assignment, reading or even chore you're supposed to be doing. Procrastination isn't something you're not going to just stop doing. You'll have spurts of motivation and progression, but what about that one paper you don't want to write? There's plenty of things you can do about it.
1. Set time for yourself
I have always found it easier to do stuff when I just have blocks in the day that I know I don't have to be anywhere. I'm free after seven? Well, I can be productive until 9 p.m. Whether you like three-hour blocks or small 30 minute breaks, this especially helps.
I highly recommend getting up early and completing work. Always revise later, however. Most of everything isn't done right or the best on the first try.
There're 168 hours in a week. They get filled up pretty quickly. Even two hours a day devoted to just looking over notes or reading takes 10 hours. 158 left to use, mostly for sleep, let's be honest.
2. Set a place
Surround yourself with people you don't know. When you're with friends, you're so much more likely to deter from your work. Get a seat at Starbucks, chug down that coffee and get to it. It's relaxing, I promise. Your campus library if you're a college student is a must-try. Associate your studying, workflow, productivity with a workspace.
You don't want to do anything in your bed because your bed should be associated with sleep. If you eat in your bed, you'll start getting those nice cravings for some Reese's peanut butter cups at midnight, or maybe that's just me.
3. Give yourself a reward
Work for something other than stress relief. It can be something like watching that new episode of "Grey's Anatomy" or something else...
We don't work just to get paid and to relieve ourselves of stress. We work because we want to earn something. I write because I like creating content. I don't write because it cures me of my stress of deadlines.
4. Figure out the value of your time
Most college kids are getting paid hourly wages. Even on a salary, you should figure out your hourly pay. Are you getting paid enough?
If not, how do you get more? College kids, it's pretty simple. Get a degree, right? Yes and no because no one cares enough about you to just give you a job. You've gotta work for it in order to work.
Could you be using this time to further your portfolio? Yes. Yes. Yes. Also yes. The more attractive your resume and experience looks, the more doors for you there will be to open. This is all stresses the importance of picking a major that is best for you. Does programming interest you enough to do it as a hobby? Animating? Writing? Point is, work with your strengths and build them up with your time and energy.
5. Prioritize
It's a nice gesture to accept tasks from people, but you need to know your limits. Schedules are important. Sleep, work, hobby and social life pretty much make up the majority of everyone's time. Learn to say no when stressed out. There's a lot of power in that word, so use it wisely.
Being social is a necessity even for the most introverted people, just in different amounts. Dedicate some time to actually talk to and have fun with people! Even you introverts have coworkers that can be way more fun out of your work environment. Work, sleep and social life. They usual say pick two. Work being either studying or actual work in this case. Sleep is often the most tiresome to keep up with. Luckily there is coffee! Bringing Starbucks full circle.
There is but one life to live (as far as we can tell anyway). So don't waste it and do something you enjoy. Let your portfolio of Etsy creations, food pictures on Instagram or even projects from your classes speak for themselves. Get out of your normal routine if you find that you aren't completing tasks.
