Given that I have recently posted about sensitive, hard-hitting subjects this post will beat about a more light hearted subject...procrastination. As a law student this is something that I struggle with all the time. In this article I will give you my 4 top tips to beat procrastination. Of course these will not only work for law students although the examples of each tip I give will be aimed at law students. These tips are not limited to just students either, unfortunately procrastination is as big a problem for adults at work as it is students. Therefore I hope you find these tips useful and I would greatly appreciate any feedback at the bottom of this post, Twitter, Facebook or Google +.
1. Relaxation
The first and most important thing when combatting procrastination is to break the cycle of procrastinating--> panicking because you have not done any work--> feeling as though you are going to fail--> procrastinating again. The first step to take is to slow your panicked thoughts down and relax. In order to do this you can try a number of things.
My personal choice is meditation. You can search for a short guided meditation in YouTube or look for a meditation guide on google or an app to help you learn the art of meditation. I would recommend this 11 min quick motivational meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ub9kncj5J0
If meditation is not your cup of tea you could try exactly that... a nice cuppa. Go to your kitchen boil the kettle a take that time to slow your breathing and calm down to a point where you realise that you can complete the task that you need to finish. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee or just a nice cool juice if its hot and allow yourself 15 mins in a quiet room to enjoy in preferably without a TV or music on in order to just take some time to slow your mind.
Alternatively you may like to take 15 mins to do some yoga, go for a run/swim/ cycle or any other physical activity you may enjoy. The physical exercise will not only relax you but also distract you from your mental dilemma and allow you to take some time out. Warning: Do not spend more than 30 mins on your relaxing activity or else you risk getting carried away in the activity and forget your work all together.
2. Positivity
Once you are relaxed focus on why your sitaution is not as bad as first thought. Perhaps look through old exam results or essay feedbacks if you are struggling with procrastination during exam season. Alternatively look at the positive things you have done in your job if it is career procrastination that is bothering you whether that be a recent bonus, promotion or complimentary emails from your boss.
If the exam/presentation/ piece of work you are struggling to complete is needed in order to help you achieve an ambition you may also like to watch a TV programme based on that ambition. For me this involves a few minutes of the new episode of Suits. In order to reinforce in my mind what I am working for and how much the work will be worth it in the end.
Source : http://mettelray.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/suits-2x01/
3. Perspective
Third is ensuring that your panic is only proportionate to your problem. Take 5 mins to realise that if you do fail it is not the end of the world. Remember all the times you have failed in your life. You were upset, disappointed, angry at yourself and felt let down. However, you got through those failures. You got knocked down but you got up you carried on and you came out just fine. Also remeber that failure is not always a bad thing. It can create opportunities to improve yourself, your career, your grades and your work. Some of the most sucessful people on the planet have failed. For example Winston Churchill was estranged from his political party because its members disagreed with his ideology, Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first TV job, Walt Disney was fired as a newspaper editor because he ' lacked imagination'. Therefore however bad your situation may be always ensure you keep hold of perspective and know that no matter what happens on your death bed this will not matter.
Source: http://www.bammel.org/blog/perspective
4. Goals
The final stage is setting goals. This can be writing down a 'To do' list, creating a timetable or just a simple folder of work that you can see fill up as you get closer to the end of the job at hand. Whichever system that works for you, all that matters is that you feel accomplished everytime you complete a short/ manageable portion of your work.
Source: http://crossfitlittleton.net/2013/09/15/tips-for-successful-goal-setting-and-achievement/
Final Note
The above does not mean that you have to do all 4 tips in order or even at all. It is designed to be a pick and mix list of ideas whereby you can design your procrastination beating strategy based on the nature of the work that you need to complete, the deadlines that you need to meet and the feelings you are experiencing at the time. Most of all remember my key quote:
"Winners never quit, quitters never win" Vince Lombardi