It definitely does not take a genius to notice that my best commitment to the blog comes during essay deadline time - and exam time. What can I say? Blogging is my favorite form of procrastination, and I am genuinely about to write a post about procrastination while I procrastinate from writing my politics essay....
So, as a form of my elaborate procrastination, I have been researching tips to stop procrastinating - and I am hoping some of the ones I have found, help me, and everyone!
OneMake a to-do list (this one kind of works with me), write a list of all the things you have to do. Although this makes it seem like you then have a massive list of stuff to do, it also gives you the opportunity to split all of your tasks up into little day to day tasks over the next few weeks. I also use time windows to help!
Two Finish all the hardest things first, the one thing you don't want to do, is what makes your procrastinate from doing all of the others. The hardest task might not be able to be done in one sitting, but if you split it into small parts that you cannot accomplish in one day, and then you'll find it easier to handle and work it all out. For example if its an essay you're attempting to tackle (like me) you can split it into tasks like 1. Pick title & make a small plan2. Find books & references to support/oppose the line of argument throughout the plan3. set word limits throughout the essay: if it is 1,500 words you can make your introduction 200 words, three paragraphs 350 words and your conclusion 250 words.4. tackle it paragraph by paragraph.5. read over it once finished (a day later, so your brain isn't frazzled, and check for mistakes etc.)
Three Switch it up - change your environment. Different environments can have different impacts on productivity. I can't decide whether I can work well in my room, because its the place where I sit and watch films and sleep, so I think I work better in the library, even though my desk is super cute and practical, it makes me sleepy and I can't focus! If this sounds like you, then you should try what I have been doing lately, I have started to go to the library - kind of. It is quite possibly the hardest thing trying to get out of bed to actually go to the library but I neeeeeed to get out of this place!
FourMotivate yourself - give yourself something to look forward to.If you get that essay you can't even begin to think about done - then you can go out with your friends, or you can go to see the new hunger games movie. ANYTHING - this is like positive reinforcement.One form of motivation I refuse to try is the money motivator - if you don't get your tasks done you have to give your boyfriend £5 and keep doing that until you get the task done. (you won't get that money back..).
FiveDon't beat yourself up about it.Procrastinating is not all that bad, you can accomplish things that you need to do at whilst procrastinating - like how I am currently writing this blog post, or how I put a load of washing in earlier - every little helps! Relaxing whilst procrastinating is important for settling your mind for studying. It refreshes your mind and leaves you time to get back to chilling out.
I hope that this has helped you procrastinate/tackle procrastinating!
muchos loveysabelle xxxxxx
