What's ironic is that I'm procrastinating on my homework by writing this article. I've also procrastinated on writing this article.

But in all honesty, I have definitely improved my habits with a few tricks. Be aware; there is no easy, over-night pill to take that magically makes you wake up and manage your time well. Time management is not built into someone's DNA; time management is a skill and skills need to be developed. However, it really helps to know why and how you are procrastinating because most of procrastination is unconscious mechanisms we aren't aware of until we realize we've watched five hours of cute animal videos on YouTube. This skill can definitely be developed and we can become experts in any skill if we practice enough. Here are some ways to develop your time management skills. "I don't know though!"

1. Figure out WHY you procrastinate.

Most people that procrastinate are perfectionists; trust me I am one too. The problem with perfectionism is that we are terrified of making a mistake so we avoid starting anything that might create failure.

Other factors that contribute to procrastination are laziness (obviously), indecision (should I start my homework or would maybe getting a snack right now so I can focus better when I do my work be the best?) and a confusion of priorities (my final is tomorrow but my teacher is also collecting this worksheet; so therefore I will do my worksheet).

What do all of these causes have in common? They are completely irrational when you consciously think about it. Most of these fears are subconscious and we reach for our phone to look at Snapchat instinctively. When you feel that mindset kicking in, kick it out. For me personally, I feel like a haze as my brain refuses to think and then before I know it I'm suddenly watching the latest "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared" and wondering how I even got to such a dark part of YouTube. As a perfectionist, it is hard for me to start tasks but once I start and know what I am doing, it is a lot easier. Therefore:

2. Just Do It

Just start it and push away your thoughts of "what if I mess up?" and just start. Write your name, brainstorm about how you will go about finishing the task. Personally, it helps me study when I know what to do.

2. How do you procrastinate?

Figure out what you procrastinate with; YouTube videos? Snapchat filters? Texting friends? Netflix? Try going cold turkey without these; for instance, I blocked YouTube and Facebook from my browser. It will be painful and your brain will cry of boredom for a few minutes, but afterwards it will welcome any form of activity, even studying!

3. Doing our work is painful

Psychologists have reasoned that another major reason to why procrastinators procrastinate is that doing our work is painful. I know isn't that funny but totally true? However, think about it reasonably: if you procrastinate you will be in more pain afterwards. It helps me when I imagine myself in my common panic-induced frenzy to finish a last minute studying session. That usually forces me to do some work.

4. Promise to treat yourself after you finish your work

Your brain operates on "pleasure vs pain". When you are doing your work, your subconscious thinks "hey why are we doing something boring when we could be doing something fun like watching YouTube? Hey...just a suggestion, but how about we watch YouTube?"

Fight back with: "we get to eat that whole pint of Ben and Jerry's if we study for the next thirty minutes!"

5. Imagine studying as a fun activity

Look at how happy this girl in the stock photo is to do her work! Train your brain to enjoy studying as much as she does to be more productive.

6. Associate doing your work with pleasure

When thinking about starting your work don't use the words: "Ugh, I can't believe the professor actually expects us to do this" or "I can't do this." Instead, use words that make you want to start your work like "I love doing work! I am so excited to enrich my brain!"

7. Mentally picture yourself doing the work with pleasure

Much of why we associate pain with doing our work is that we find it boring. If we could fix that image, then it might fix our procrastination problem.

8. Do your work while doing something that provides some sort of pleasure

Personally, I enjoy starting to study with a bit of music and then when I start to focus, I turn it off. This will give you an incentive to study!

Look at how silly and how much fun this girl is having while doing her work!

9. Shut down the voices that say that you hate doing your work

Again, it is all in your head. Kick out those voices that say you shouldn't, you can't, you don't want to. Here's an explanation that you could use to look at when you don't feel like doing your work:

10. Practice these skills

Practice makes perfect! Again, these skills do not come to anybody as a gift, people who have excellent time management have been practicing it for years.

I hope this helped you and good luck!