How often has this happened to you…?
You have less than a day before the Big Test. You’re cramming like crazy to read the books or write the papers on which your final grade depends. Waves of sheer terror overwhelm your ability to concentrate. Exhausted and bleary-eyed, you ask yourself, “Why didn’t I start this weeks ago???”
The sad fact is, we’re all guilty of procrastination. Too often we wait ‘til the last minute to start important projects, often with less-than-wonderful results. We know procrastination is bad, yet we often find ourselves powerless to resist its pull.
There are many reasons why we procrastinate. We may feel overwhelmed by the size and complexity of the task ahead. We may fear the assignment will be boring or unpleasant. We may be distracted by more interesting or exciting activities. Or we may simply feel we’re not up to the task at hand and fear “failure” will prove painful or embarrassing.
Whatever the reason, procrastination is a bad habit that must be overcome. At least if you want to get the things you want out of life. This is true for your studies. It’s true for your social life. And it’s true for the job you hope to one day have.
If procrastination is a problem for you, here are five simple ways you can address the problem:
- Imagine the “Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow.” Begin by thinking not about the task itself, but about the reason you’re doing the task to begin with. What’s the end result supposed to be? What’s the ultimate reward? Are you going for good grades? To receive a degree that will open doors to greater career opportunities? To acquire skills that will earn you the kind of money need to buy the things you want? Keeping the “end” clearly in mind can give you the motivation and energy you need get started.
- Go "On the Record.” Sometimes you need the promise of another’s approval – or the fear of letting someone down – to both kick start you into action and keep you going when things get difficult. Tell someone what you intend to do and when you intend to complete the job. Make it a “promise.” Simply not wanting to look like a flake – or worse – may be enough to keep you motivated.
- Begin to Work in Short Intervals. Instead of looking at 10 hours of work as a single, intimidating obstacle, look at it as a series of 20 simpler half-hour tasks. Promise yourself you’ll work for a half hour, and then do something else for another half hour. Once you get started, you’ll probably find you can work in longer stretches than you first imagined.
- Reward Yourself. Everyone performs best with positive reinforcement. So when you complete part of your larger task, give yourself a treat. Maybe it’s a bowl of ice cream. Maybe it’s going out to a movie. Make sure to remind yourself how and why you’ve earned this reward, and even praise yourself with a little positive “self-talk.” The more you mentally associate your work with a successful outcome, the less you’re likely to put it off.
- Remember, “Perfection” is the Enemy of “Excellence.” Never let perfectionism – or the fear you’ll fail to measure up – stop you from starting or completing a task. Not only is something always better than nothing, but perfection is a bar too high for anyone to reach. If you’re set on delivering the best product possible – and excellence is always an admirable goal – keep in mind, the sooner you start, the more time you’ll have at the end to fix the defects.
Always remember, time is the one truly unrenewable resource. When it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Make the most of the time you have. Avoid procrastination and you’ll get a head start on the rest of your life.
