4 answers
Sabia
Student
Worland, Wyoming
2
Questions
Asked
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What are some tips to keep oneself motivated in their studies?
There are days that I feel soo lazy that I don't want to read or do my assignments. I procrastinate too much.
#procrastination #focus #reachmygoal
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4 answers
Sheila Jordan
Lead Network Proj/Prog Manager
712
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Sabia:
Thank you for your question. Procrastination is not a time management problem; rather, it's likely due to difficulty managing negative feelings like boredom or anxiety. But avoiding negative emotions and important tasks tends to lend to much worse outcomes in the long run, including more stress and regret. Changing your mindset, rewarding yourself for progress, and letting go of perfectionism can all help you overcome procrastinating tendencies. Everyone has put off a task at some point in their life. Here are a few tips to help you get things on the right track:
• Stop making a huge deal out of it
• Focus on your long-term goals
• Mark it down on your calendar
• Set yourself up for success
• Stop making excuses
• Partner with someone on the task
• Choose a good environment that maximize your productivity
• You don't have to be a perfectionist
I hope this was helpful. Best of luck to you Sabia!
Ways to Overcome Procrastination • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/better-perfect/201703/11-ways-overcome-procrastination
Thank you for your question. Procrastination is not a time management problem; rather, it's likely due to difficulty managing negative feelings like boredom or anxiety. But avoiding negative emotions and important tasks tends to lend to much worse outcomes in the long run, including more stress and regret. Changing your mindset, rewarding yourself for progress, and letting go of perfectionism can all help you overcome procrastinating tendencies. Everyone has put off a task at some point in their life. Here are a few tips to help you get things on the right track:
• Stop making a huge deal out of it
• Focus on your long-term goals
• Mark it down on your calendar
• Set yourself up for success
• Stop making excuses
• Partner with someone on the task
• Choose a good environment that maximize your productivity
• You don't have to be a perfectionist
I hope this was helpful. Best of luck to you Sabia!
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Katherine Boyle
Communications Specialist
25
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
That's a great question, Sabia! I feel like it's important to acknowledge those feelings upfront, like you've done, and then let yourself feel them–take a day to be lazy and procrastinate, but form a plan for when you're ready to really dive into your assignments and get some work done.
I agree with the other answers on this thread that it's important to keep you end goal in mind and remind yourself why you're studying these materials in the first place. I also think it's key to design your setup to be productive and enjoyable–maybe that means organizing your desk a certain way, listening to music (the Intense Studying playlist on Spotify is super helpful!), or scheduling breaks. Whatever it is, make sure that your environment is set up for success.
Good luck!
I agree with the other answers on this thread that it's important to keep you end goal in mind and remind yourself why you're studying these materials in the first place. I also think it's key to design your setup to be productive and enjoyable–maybe that means organizing your desk a certain way, listening to music (the Intense Studying playlist on Spotify is super helpful!), or scheduling breaks. Whatever it is, make sure that your environment is set up for success.
Good luck!
Tirzah Buie, CPA
Operations Strategy & Planning Leader
12
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Tirzah’s Answer
Hi Sabia. It would be good to identify why you aren't motivated. Is it because you are bored, stuck, overwhelmed, no interest or maybe you work best under pressure. You can try a few things to help stay focused:
1. Remember your end goal. You want to graduate or move on to a career at some point and you want all the best opportunities that are available to you.
2. If you have a lot to do, just figure out one thing that you wouldn't mind completing and then take it from there.
3. If you are stuck, get out of the house, listen to music or go talk to someone about their day or something to get your mind off the assignments for 30 mins to an hour then try to come back and see how you feel.
4. Divide up what needs to be done and tackle the hard part first. After finishing that the rest becomes easier.
5. Figure out the times of day when you work best and try to plan to complete assignments during that window of time (ex., are you an early morning fresh idea thinker or a night owl).
1. Remember your end goal. You want to graduate or move on to a career at some point and you want all the best opportunities that are available to you.
2. If you have a lot to do, just figure out one thing that you wouldn't mind completing and then take it from there.
3. If you are stuck, get out of the house, listen to music or go talk to someone about their day or something to get your mind off the assignments for 30 mins to an hour then try to come back and see how you feel.
4. Divide up what needs to be done and tackle the hard part first. After finishing that the rest becomes easier.
5. Figure out the times of day when you work best and try to plan to complete assignments during that window of time (ex., are you an early morning fresh idea thinker or a night owl).
Christopher Wolters
Help create and execute the customer experience during trade shows and conventions.
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Sabia...This is a tough question because there are so many ways to answer it. The good news is that procrastination is a habit, not a personality flaw, so you can put an end to it. But to put an end to it you first need to understand the habit. I suggest you put together two lists. On one list, write down things you frequently put off. On the second list the tasks for which you never or rarely delay. Compare the two lists. Patterns may emerge. Here's a couple reasons why you might be procrastinating:
1. You don't feel you have the right skill-set - In other words, would you enjoy it more if you were guaranteed to be successful at it? If yes, identify ways you can build your skill set to improve your confidence (take a class, discuss with a colleague who you think is very good at these type tasks, etc.) in performing these tasks.
2. This task is overwhelming - If this is the case, I suggest breaking the task down into smaller, 'bite-sized' pieces. For each piece identify what needs to be done to complete this portion of the task. Be specific and clear about what it is you need to do to complete this portion. Write down when and where you intend to do this task. Statistics show that people are much more likely to succeed at their intended task if they have a concrete plan, so whatever it is, add it to your calendar. Also, set an interim deadline for when you plan to have it complete. This last part is important because setting interim deadlines are important in meeting the overall deadline.
3. Lack of focus - This can usually be whittled down to managing distractions. First you need to prepare for distractions by creating an ideal working environment. This is done by shutting down social media and closing your e-mail. Place your phone in another room or at a location where it takes effort to go check it. Then shut your door and get to work. If other tasks pop in your head, jot them down to do on another day's list of things to do.
Wishing you the best of luck.
1. You don't feel you have the right skill-set - In other words, would you enjoy it more if you were guaranteed to be successful at it? If yes, identify ways you can build your skill set to improve your confidence (take a class, discuss with a colleague who you think is very good at these type tasks, etc.) in performing these tasks.
2. This task is overwhelming - If this is the case, I suggest breaking the task down into smaller, 'bite-sized' pieces. For each piece identify what needs to be done to complete this portion of the task. Be specific and clear about what it is you need to do to complete this portion. Write down when and where you intend to do this task. Statistics show that people are much more likely to succeed at their intended task if they have a concrete plan, so whatever it is, add it to your calendar. Also, set an interim deadline for when you plan to have it complete. This last part is important because setting interim deadlines are important in meeting the overall deadline.
3. Lack of focus - This can usually be whittled down to managing distractions. First you need to prepare for distractions by creating an ideal working environment. This is done by shutting down social media and closing your e-mail. Place your phone in another room or at a location where it takes effort to go check it. Then shut your door and get to work. If other tasks pop in your head, jot them down to do on another day's list of things to do.
Wishing you the best of luck.