20 strategies to stop procrastinating
Everyone procrastinates some of the time and for a variety of reasons!
The secret to dealing with procrastination is to:
- analyze why you are procrastinating in a particular situation
- choose a start-up strategy (or several) from the list below, matching the strategy or strategies to the specific situation and to your personal style
- Start simple. “Warm up” by doing a part of the task that requires little effort.
- Try the 10 Minute Rule: Set your timer for 10 minutes. No stopping for at least 10 minutes….
- Subdivide tasks into smaller chunks to reduce difficulty.
- Make a list of these small tasks and check them off as you complete them.
- Do a high priority task to give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Sandwich difficult tasks between more pleasant activities.
- Set up a ritual to help you get started on tasks you must do regularly.
- Set up a reward or incentive for finishing something.
- Make a game to finish a task within a time limit.
- Cut off temptations: turn off your phone, shut your door, study away from TV, or bed, etc.
- Lower expectations and do the best you can within the time limit.
- Suspend your criticism to get through the task. Just get it done!
- Substitute the mental message "I should…" with "I’d like to…"
- Imagine the worst possible consequences if you don’t do what you are avoiding.
- Imagine how good you will feel to get this thing started or done!
- Cooperate with a friend in working on assignments.
- Appoint a "buddy" to help discipline you to stay on task.
- Go public. Tell people what you plan to do. You’ll feel guilty if you don’t.
- Believe in yourself. You can do it!
- JUST DO IT!