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long term ways to remove procrastination.
A student who needs to grow up, am in SYEP #career-counseling #psychology #student
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Matthew’s Answer
Hello Jerry, in trying to find long term ways to remove procrastination you are really asking about a change in your behaviour. But the first thing that I would say, and I agree with Irene's answer, is that the word procrastination simply has taken on a negative meaning. I think that you have to understand that everyone procrastinates for very good reasons. It's a matter of understanding what those reasons are. So. ask yourself, what benefit do I get when I procrastinate and write down your answers.
So, when I procrastinate, I get more time to think about how to approach the problem. I also get to take care of a few less important things that may distract me when I finally stop procrastinating and start working on the bigger task. I may need more time to build skills. I may need time to ask someone for help.
It's really important to understand that procrastinating is not something to 'get rid of' like a disease. It's important to understand it and how to use it well. It's also really important to be kinder and more patient with yourself as you are building these skills. Become your own best friend. Talk kindly to yourself.
There is a program that is called Odyssey that can help you discover the reasons why you procrastinate. You can find information about the program here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2euIGy9SjM
Keep searching and know that you are not alone in this.
Understand that people procrastinate for good reasons.
Find the good reasons that you procrastinate.
Write down the reasons.
Find the problems that procrastinations causes.
Can you find a solution where you get the benefits of procrastination without causing the problems? Odyssey!
So, when I procrastinate, I get more time to think about how to approach the problem. I also get to take care of a few less important things that may distract me when I finally stop procrastinating and start working on the bigger task. I may need more time to build skills. I may need time to ask someone for help.
It's really important to understand that procrastinating is not something to 'get rid of' like a disease. It's important to understand it and how to use it well. It's also really important to be kinder and more patient with yourself as you are building these skills. Become your own best friend. Talk kindly to yourself.
There is a program that is called Odyssey that can help you discover the reasons why you procrastinate. You can find information about the program here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2euIGy9SjM
Keep searching and know that you are not alone in this.
Matthew recommends the following next steps:
These were really good points Matthew. Thanks for sharing your approach.
Tracy Griggsby Leonard
Tracy - thank you for your kind words. I have to admit that this approach was taught to me by my mentor Dr. Eli Goldratt some years ago. So, basically, like all of us, I am standing on the shoulders of giants. Have you read "The Goal: A Process for On-Going Improvement?" yet. If not, based on your interests, I'll recommend it highly. Cheers!
Matthew Eby
Updated
Irene’s Answer
Hi Jerry, I think, to begin with, you need to understand what procrastination is and why YOU procrastinate (because every individual has different reasons on why they procrastinate). I recently listened to this podcast by Adam Grant that explores procrastination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIs_zfHF8Cg
More often than not, procrastination is deemed as a negative trait, but it actually is not. I procrastinate too, but I realise I procrastinate a lot more when I only have very few tasks to do with no deadline. That makes me do 101 other unimportant things because I don't have any sense of urgency. In this case, my solution to tackling it is to set my own deadline for the particular task.
Another reason I procrastinate is because I feel scared or anxious of not being able to do my tasks well. As a distraction, I would spend hours scrolling social media or answering emails that no are not urgent at all. Knowing this behaviour helps me challenge myself to try doing my task at increments. I block 30 minutes a day to write on an article, no matter how good it is, until I find it satisfactory and tick the task off my list.
In summary, find out the reasons why you procrastinate first. There could be multiple reasons, so there would be multiple solutions. Listen to the Youtube link I shared above and hopefully it would help to shed some lights as to why you procrastinate and how can you manage it.
More often than not, procrastination is deemed as a negative trait, but it actually is not. I procrastinate too, but I realise I procrastinate a lot more when I only have very few tasks to do with no deadline. That makes me do 101 other unimportant things because I don't have any sense of urgency. In this case, my solution to tackling it is to set my own deadline for the particular task.
Another reason I procrastinate is because I feel scared or anxious of not being able to do my tasks well. As a distraction, I would spend hours scrolling social media or answering emails that no are not urgent at all. Knowing this behaviour helps me challenge myself to try doing my task at increments. I block 30 minutes a day to write on an article, no matter how good it is, until I find it satisfactory and tick the task off my list.
In summary, find out the reasons why you procrastinate first. There could be multiple reasons, so there would be multiple solutions. Listen to the Youtube link I shared above and hopefully it would help to shed some lights as to why you procrastinate and how can you manage it.
Irene - excellent response. I also listened to Adam Grant's podcast through TED and it was especially rewarding to hear someone as productive as Margaret Atwood describe her struggle with procrastination. Thanks again
Matthew Eby
Updated
Niya’s Answer
Hi Jerry,
I think, to begin with, you need to understand what procrastination is and why YOU procrastinate (because every individual has different reasons on why they procrastinate). Here are a few tips to remove procrastination:
1. Create a To-Do List with Specific Deadlines.
2. Break Bigger Projects into Manageable Chunks.
3. Set Aside Time and Space for Work.
4. Remove Distractions.
5. Tackle the Hard Stuff First.
6. Do One Thing At a Time.
7. Reward Yourself with Breaks.
8. Try the 2 Minute Rule.- When you think about doing this dreaded task for only 120 seconds, it doesn’t seem so bad.
Hope this helps Jerry!!
I think, to begin with, you need to understand what procrastination is and why YOU procrastinate (because every individual has different reasons on why they procrastinate). Here are a few tips to remove procrastination:
1. Create a To-Do List with Specific Deadlines.
2. Break Bigger Projects into Manageable Chunks.
3. Set Aside Time and Space for Work.
4. Remove Distractions.
5. Tackle the Hard Stuff First.
6. Do One Thing At a Time.
7. Reward Yourself with Breaks.
8. Try the 2 Minute Rule.- When you think about doing this dreaded task for only 120 seconds, it doesn’t seem so bad.
Hope this helps Jerry!!