9 answers
Takrim
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
3
Questions
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Procrastination ways to deal with it
1. How does a person stay consistent with anything?
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9 answers
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Takrim,
Procrastination for me comes from trying to tackle something that is too big all at once. I think that you need to consider how you can handle any task you are avoiding into smaller tasks or smaller time elements. When I think, it's going to take me hours to do this, I consider giving myself a time limit. I will do as much as I can in this amount of time. Then I allow myself to step away. That little bit of time - say 30 minutes - also gives me a sense of what time I still may need. At this point, this may be a time when I need to ask for help since it may take more time for me than I have left. Sometimes just getting started allows me to finish quickly. I was afraid or worried for nothing and I just get it done.
Gloria
Procrastination for me comes from trying to tackle something that is too big all at once. I think that you need to consider how you can handle any task you are avoiding into smaller tasks or smaller time elements. When I think, it's going to take me hours to do this, I consider giving myself a time limit. I will do as much as I can in this amount of time. Then I allow myself to step away. That little bit of time - say 30 minutes - also gives me a sense of what time I still may need. At this point, this may be a time when I need to ask for help since it may take more time for me than I have left. Sometimes just getting started allows me to finish quickly. I was afraid or worried for nothing and I just get it done.
Gloria
Karina Martinez
Clinical Laboratory Assistant
6
Answers
Palmdale, California
Updated
Karina’s Answer
I would recommend buying a whiteboard calendar and writing down a schedule of the things that you need to do. It doesn't have to be purely school related. You can add simple things like laundry, or adding in an hour of video games. I would suggest color coding by priority too! This worked for me when I was in high school/ college. I was able to visually set a timeline of things that need to be done, meanwhile still having time to enjoy my hobbies.
Hope this helps
Karina
Hope this helps
Karina
Onur K. Polat, PhD
Researcher
7
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Onur’s Answer
Everyone has their way of working on stuff. When I was in college, I realized I couldn't focus for more then 20 minutes at a task. So, what I did was I created a study paradigm that worked around this. I, for example read 10 pages of notes (think like 300 pages reading required in a week), then watch one episode that I liked. So work and reward type of thing.
Kelly Tripp
Senior Compensation Consultant
4
Answers
Woodhaven, Michigan
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
I highly encourage you to look up Mel Robbins and read about the "5 Seconds Rule". This technique has been so helpful to me when dealing with procrastination and very simple and straightforward. She encourages you to understand why we procrastinate in the first place:
Procrastination is not laziness or a matter of avoiding work; it’s a coping mechanism for dealing with stress. When you do something pleasurable instead of engaging stress, you feel relieved. The relief comes by way of a dopamine release which is literally, physiologically addictive. The more you give in to a pleasurable activity and get a dopamine reward, the more likely you are to repeat the behavior and get stuck in a pattern of procrastination.
Then she will teach you about the 5 second rule to get past it:
Putting off something important? Count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then DO IT! It may not sound like much of a technique but you'll be amazed how it bypasses the urge to procrastinate
*Note that this technique only works if you already know what you’re supposed to be doing and you have the time to do it.
Procrastination is not laziness or a matter of avoiding work; it’s a coping mechanism for dealing with stress. When you do something pleasurable instead of engaging stress, you feel relieved. The relief comes by way of a dopamine release which is literally, physiologically addictive. The more you give in to a pleasurable activity and get a dopamine reward, the more likely you are to repeat the behavior and get stuck in a pattern of procrastination.
Then she will teach you about the 5 second rule to get past it:
Putting off something important? Count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then DO IT! It may not sound like much of a technique but you'll be amazed how it bypasses the urge to procrastinate
*Note that this technique only works if you already know what you’re supposed to be doing and you have the time to do it.
Sonal Priya
Product Engineer - Specialist
9
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Sonal’s Answer
Hello Takrim,
Procrastination is something which most of us have to deal with at some point of time. Here are few tips which I follow:
1. Make a task or project list on notebook or digitally (OneNote, task manager, etc.)
2. Break them into smaller working level to-do list
3. Highlight which are most important, as other tasks might depend on them or they need more energy and try to accomplish them first
4. Put an estimated timeline for each with some buffer
5. Check the tasks when you complete them and pat your back! This will keep you motivated.
6. Also, award yourself with some breaks from time to time
Hopefully this will help you.
Procrastination is something which most of us have to deal with at some point of time. Here are few tips which I follow:
1. Make a task or project list on notebook or digitally (OneNote, task manager, etc.)
2. Break them into smaller working level to-do list
3. Highlight which are most important, as other tasks might depend on them or they need more energy and try to accomplish them first
4. Put an estimated timeline for each with some buffer
5. Check the tasks when you complete them and pat your back! This will keep you motivated.
6. Also, award yourself with some breaks from time to time
Hopefully this will help you.
Kevin Tran
Software Developer
4
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hi Takrim
In my experience, we usually procrastinate because the tasks we are trying to do seem too big and unpleasant. Thinking about them gives us anxiety, stress, and other unpleasant feelings, so we procrastinate to avoid those unpleasant feelings/emotions. However, the more we run away from those unpleasant feelings/emotions, by procrastinating, the more power they will have over us. If we face those feelings with mindfulness and compassion, the less power they have over us. And if we don't react or give in to those emotions, we can stop procrastinate.
We procrastinate because we mindlessly reacting to the unpleasant feelings/emotions, that arise when we are thinking about some tasks. The first thing you can do is when you are procrastinating, be mindful of what is going on in your mind. Try to recognize the unpleasant feelings/emotions that are present when you are procrastinating. Compassionately looking at them without judgement, and without trying to avoid or run away from them, no matter how unpleasant they make you feel. By doing this, you will train yourself to face the unpleasant feelings/emotions that arise when you are thinking about your tasks, without reacting/giving in to them. The more you do this, the stronger your resolve will be.
After you are able to recognize those unpleasant feelings/emotions, and not reacting/giving in to them, the next step is to just start the task you are trying to do. Don't think about it too much and just start it, no matter how unpleasant it feels. After you are able start the task and work on it for about 5 - 10 minutes, you will see that all those unpleasant feelings/emotions, are no longer present. Good feelings/emotions will arise because you are making progress.
This is how I work through my procrastination. I hope you find this somewhat helpful, thank you and good luck on your life journey.
In my experience, we usually procrastinate because the tasks we are trying to do seem too big and unpleasant. Thinking about them gives us anxiety, stress, and other unpleasant feelings, so we procrastinate to avoid those unpleasant feelings/emotions. However, the more we run away from those unpleasant feelings/emotions, by procrastinating, the more power they will have over us. If we face those feelings with mindfulness and compassion, the less power they have over us. And if we don't react or give in to those emotions, we can stop procrastinate.
We procrastinate because we mindlessly reacting to the unpleasant feelings/emotions, that arise when we are thinking about some tasks. The first thing you can do is when you are procrastinating, be mindful of what is going on in your mind. Try to recognize the unpleasant feelings/emotions that are present when you are procrastinating. Compassionately looking at them without judgement, and without trying to avoid or run away from them, no matter how unpleasant they make you feel. By doing this, you will train yourself to face the unpleasant feelings/emotions that arise when you are thinking about your tasks, without reacting/giving in to them. The more you do this, the stronger your resolve will be.
After you are able to recognize those unpleasant feelings/emotions, and not reacting/giving in to them, the next step is to just start the task you are trying to do. Don't think about it too much and just start it, no matter how unpleasant it feels. After you are able start the task and work on it for about 5 - 10 minutes, you will see that all those unpleasant feelings/emotions, are no longer present. Good feelings/emotions will arise because you are making progress.
This is how I work through my procrastination. I hope you find this somewhat helpful, thank you and good luck on your life journey.
Puneet Kumar
Business Analyst
4
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Puneet’s Answer
Just like how other have suggested, make list of items that you need to do. I like to note it in a diary/notebook. I always ignore the digital version because I have multiple devices. I could use one app like To Do / One Note which is synced and available in all devices but I am not good at it hence I prefer a physical notebook or post-it. I do better when I have that list with me, hard part is having it all the time with you but still that's the best option which is working for me. I will leave you with a Ted Talk by Tim Urban, and most likely you may have seen it already but just in case if you have not then enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU&t=2s
Good luck for your future!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU&t=2s
Good luck for your future!!
Megan Nerad, CPA
Consulting Manager at PwC
43
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Good question!
Think about how you like to celebrate your achievements - no matter how small.
Do you derive satisfaction from crossing things off a to-do list?
Do you take action when you remove something until you earn it back (i.e. I can't watch TV until xyz)
Do you take action when you incentivize yourself (i.e. If I do xyz, then I'll add dessert to my shopping list at the store as a treat)
Do you have an accountability buddy?
Hopefully a few of these things help or are good food for thought!
Here's a Harvard Business Review article, if you're interested, too: https://hbr.org/2022/05/how-to-stop-procrastinating
Think about how you like to celebrate your achievements - no matter how small.
Do you derive satisfaction from crossing things off a to-do list?
Do you take action when you remove something until you earn it back (i.e. I can't watch TV until xyz)
Do you take action when you incentivize yourself (i.e. If I do xyz, then I'll add dessert to my shopping list at the store as a treat)
Do you have an accountability buddy?
Hopefully a few of these things help or are good food for thought!
Here's a Harvard Business Review article, if you're interested, too: https://hbr.org/2022/05/how-to-stop-procrastinating
Damien Power
Workforce Planning
6
Answers
Jersey City, New Jersey
Updated
Damien’s Answer
Procrastination may be a sign that you're not ready yet, I don't automatically dismiss it when I think "maybe I should just do this later." Sometimes, I'm just thinking laterally and need to give myself some space to think "on the back burner" while I'm taking a jog or catching up with friends. That being said, there's a right way to do it!
Plan: what are the steps to get the work done, how long does each step take? (you should have plenty of time for fun)
Anticipate: where do you think you'll run into trouble and need extra time, what other commitments (e.g. sports) have you made with your time?
Knock out the simple stuff: finish parts of the assignment that come naturally, then take a break, it's okay to come back multiple times
Prepare: for the parts of an assignment you KEEP putting off, name one thing you can do to make forward progress and do it
Be honest: if you're out of time, then you're out of time, you can't avoid work forever!
Damien recommends the following next steps: