This post is a paradox because it’s about tips to stop procrastinating but reading blog posts online (which you probably found because you were on Pinterest, no less) is procrastinating in and of itself. That’s okay, though, after this you’re going to exit Pinterest and get some books out, right?
So I’m going to give you some tips to end procrastination but if these don’t work and you are going to procrastinate, you might as well Procrastinate Productively. Ahem. This isn’t about that, though, today you’re going to stop procrastinating and get things DONE! Let’s jump in.
1. Figure out what your biggest enemies of productivity are.
Admitting you have a problem is definitely the first step but figuring out what the problem is is definitely the second. Your “biggest enemy” of productivity is essentially the worst source of procrastination. Try to look deep for this one instead of just saying, “literally me.”
This can be something like Facebook, your housemates, doing homework with friends, YouTube videos, etc. What usually stops you from getting your work done? Whatever these things are, find a way to cut them out or limit them, it can be as easy as leaving your phone in another room, heading to the library alone or blocking certain sites.
2. Set timers for yourself.
This works very well for me and those of us who are like, “I’ll just watch/scroll through YouTube/Netflix/Facebook/Anything for a little bit and then do homework” and then end up still doing that thing like an hour later.
Setting timers allow you to have a sense of how much time you’re procrastinating while allowing you to control it. Personally, I have a pretty crappy sense of time and how much time I’m spending when it comes to procrastinating, so setting a time limit to procrastinating is very helpful. Usually, I’ll set fifteen minutes for watching YouTube videos and then I’ll set half an hour for doing homework.
3. Balance fun and work.
Like I just mentioned, setting timers is perfect for this. Sometimes when you jump into work and force yourself to do it, you can have a crappy attitude and lack motivation. Sometimes letting yourself have fun first is a good thing, but don’t let it become prolonged procrastination. Set a timer or alarm to limit this and give yourself timed breaks between doing work so you don’t get burnt out.
{ Related: How to Balance School, Work & A Social Life }
4. Go to the library and sit near others who are doing work.
I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel incredibly competitive and like I also need to be working. Sitting somewhere quiet where everyone around you is also doing homework will likely force you to give in to a positive sort of peer pressure a.k.a doing work.
5. Limit the amount of tabs you have open.
If you only allow yourself to have a Google Docs tab open and your assignment tab open online, you’re creating a small barrier to online procrastination. I currently have 19 tabs open so as I switch from paper to assignment to research I’m bound to get mixed up or distracted by something else open–when I’m working on an assignment I usually open a new window and limit my tabs. (Instead of closing my other tabs because I have a problem.)
6. Make a to-do list ranked from most difficult to easiest or least want to do to most want to do; Alternate.
Most people suggest doing all of the most difficult things first but I’d say to do a mix. Do the hardest thing or the thing you’d like to do the least and then do something simple that you don’t mind doing as much. Alternating between really bleh and just meh will make the to-do list a little bit easier rather than forcing yourself to do the things you don’t want to do one after the other to the point of frustration and eventual giving up and further procrastination.
7. Find someone to make you accountable.
Give your phone to a friend and tell her not to give it to you until your paper is done. Have your sister text you in an hour to see if you started your paper yet. Tell your housemate if she sees you not working on your final project to call you out on it. This obviously isn’t always possible, but sometimes being held accountable can motivate you to get your ass in gear and get to work.
8. Give yourself a nice environment and plenty of fuel.
Get all of the energy and nourishment you need and then get to work. Also, don’t turn that into procrastinating by making a huge, fancy meal. Make what you need and then get to work. Wear something comfortable, but don’t get too comfortable to the point where you’d rather curl up than work. Also, avoid doing work in your bed!! Bed is for sleeping, not for getting your work done.
9. Get creative with it.
This one’s a little weird. Sometimes you need to just try different methods to get things done. The other day I sat really uncomfortably across two chairs and did my reading for class that I’d been procrastinating. I told myself I’d sit like that until I finished the reading, which thus motivated me to actually read and do so without procrastinating or adding distractions.
Another time I told myself after each page of my research paper I completed I’d eat a piece of my cookie. Sometimes making weird little bets or games out of things will make you more motivated to do them.
10. Think of all of the pros.
If you get your work done now, you can do anything you’d like afterward without your workload hanging over your head! If you get your work done sooner rather than later you’ll have more time to relax. You’ll have more time to look it over so your grades improve! It can help you get straight A’s.
This can be really helpful if you’re someone who prefers logic; it’s common sense that getting work done now will give you free time later. Remember that next time you’re procrastinating.
What are your favorite ways to stop procrastinating?
