9 Tips for Overcoming Procrastination
*Repost: Originally posted 11/11/2014
Okay…I have a confession. I completely procrastinated writing this week’s post. Typically, that’s not a normal occurrence for me. Time management is usually a forte of mine, but I do tend to slip into bad habits and have a lapse of judgment from time to time. I know, shocking, right?!
Anyhow, I had good intentions of writing a little bit at a time and finishing up over the weekend. However, I did everything BUT that…graded papers and essays from my college classes, watched TV, went shopping with my mother-in-law for my birthday gifts (who could pass that up!), ran errands, and just really enjoyed not having to sit at football practice nearly every night (even though I usually did get a lot of work done AT practice).
When I finally decided to sit down and write, I prayed about what to write first (as I always do). I apologized and told God that I had been procrastinating and that I should’ve started sooner. I asked if He had any ideas for what He wanted me to write about. Guess what He said…Write about overcoming procrastination. Ha! He’s a funny guy. I love that God has a sense of humor. 🙂
Procrastination is a trap
Procrastination is such a trap because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We may put something off until tomorrow, and then when tomorrow comes something unexpected may come up that prevents us from doing that thing we procrastinated.
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)
“Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].” James 4:14 (AMP)
Overcoming procrastination is actually a topic we spend quite of bit of time on in the college classes that I teach. I love showing this comical video clip from Ellen DeGeneres because many can relate (maybe you can too):
I created a handout for my college students with some tips for overcoming procrastination since it was a problem that many of them said they were still dealing with. That’s what I’d like to share with you (and myself!) today. So here are some practical steps to overcoming procrastination…
Take Some Practical Steps with 9 Tips for Overcoming Procrastination:
When we actually put these tips into action (at least one or more of them), we’ll find ourselves procrastinating less and less. So to overcome procrastination, make a list (can either be written down or mentally noted)…
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List WHAT you have been procrastinating (state the problem).
Ex. I have been procrastinating writing my post.
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List WHY this task is important.
Ex. Writing my post is important because it helps people (and because God told me to, and it’s always important to do what God says!).
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List the BENEFITS of going ahead and completing this task (and not putting it off any longer).
Ex. The benefits of just going ahead and writing my post instead of putting it off:
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- It’s out of the way, and I don’t have to stress about it
- I’ll have more time later to do other things that I need or want to do
- It won’t be rushed if I give myself more time; therefore it will be a higher quality piece of work than something written at the last minute.
- I could get even get started on future posts if I get this one done early enough. It will give me momentum.
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List the potential CONSEQUENCES of putting this task off until later.
Ex. The potential consequences of waiting until the last minute to write my post:
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- I will get stressed out because I know it’s important and has to get done.
- I could lose sleep because I might have to stay up late to make sure it’s finished (If I lose sleep that’s no good for anybody!)
- I might not be able to do some of the things that I need or want to do because I won’t have time (clean, do laundry, get ahead on grading papers, help at the church, watch a movie, do fun things with the kids, etc.).
- I might take time away from my family because I’ll be locked away in my room writing instead of spending time with them (then this could have even further negative consequences).
- The post might stink because it was rushed.
- If I wait until the last minute, I might not have time to take a shower before I teach class (therefore=stinky, greasy-haired teacher. Yuck.).
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Writing potential consequences kind of reminds me of those old funny DirecTV commercials… “When you wait until the last minute to write your post, you don’t have time to take a shower before class. When you don’t take a shower before class, you’re stinky and have greasy hair. When you’re stinky and have greasy hair, your students give you bad reviews. When you get bad reviews, you get fired. When you get fired, you can’t pay your bills and when you can’t pay your bills, you end up living in a box. Don’t end up living in a box. Write your post, and start overcoming procrastination!”
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List how you could BREAK THIS TASK UP into smaller, more manageable parts and SET DEADLINES for yourself for each part.
This is actually my favorite tip for overcoming procrastination and the one I personally use the most often. I call them “bite-sized pieces”.
Ex.
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- Tuesday: Decide on a topic, write down some general ideas/thoughts
- Wednesday: Check previous resources I’ve already written (class materials, lecture notes, exercises, quiet time/journal notes, etc.) and gather that material together to include in the post
- Thursday: Create a rough draft of the post
- Saturday: Finalize the post, find/create images to go with the post, and set the post up to publish
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List WHO COULD YOU ASK FOR HELP with this task should you need it.
Ex. I could ask Eric to help me with overcoming procrastination by asking him to help with kids so I have time to write with limited interruptions. I should also ask God for inspiration and for the right words that will help the right people.
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List WHO COULD HELP HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE to complete this task.
Ex. I could ask Eric to make sure I get it done and to gently remind me if I’m doing something other than writing at my designated writing times (or ask him or my sister to send me a reminder text if it’s during the day).
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List WHAT ACTIVITIES YOU CAN WITHHOLD until you complete this task.
Ex. I can withhold TV, any kind of activity on my phone (checking e-mails, browsing the internet, social media, etc.). I could also withhold my shower—that will MAKE me get it done because I don’t want to live in a box (see #4). 🙂
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List HOW CAN YOU REWARD YOURSELF when you complete this task.
Ex. I can reward myself with the activities I withheld until I was finished. I could also reward myself with some extra time doing something I love (spending time outside, baking or cooking something new, window shopping, or a “spa” day at home with a Jacuzzi bath, facial, hair treatment, body treatment, etc.).
What are some tips you have for overcoming procrastination? Which of the tips listed above work best for you? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.
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