And I'm tired of it. I'm sick of delaying everything to the very last minute, but sometimes I just don't feel that I have the power to deny my brain that which it desires, which is to delay the assignment just that single moment longer . I would probably be best described as a class B procrastinator. It's not that what I do is entirely counterproductive, it's just always counterproductive to the task at hand. I start wanting to do chores. I start wanting to catch up on the events going on in today's world. I start wanting to catch up on the events going on 2000 years ago. Then later on in the day I'll finally decide to set some arbitrary time to begin devoting myself to school work, usually 6:00. It's just such a logically sound number to embark on, isn't it? When the time finally reaches the allotted hour, I bump it up to 7:00, or maybe even 7:30 if I want to increase the false sense of security a bit more. This process continues until sometime very late at night, in which I then proceed to struggle at a manic rate to finish everything from writing assignments to studying for exams. It feels as if my mind's gaze is always completely centered on the now, rather than other points at time, such as the consequences my future will hold if I don't get a grip on things. From what I gather, the majority of hard workers and self-described "go-getters" seem to be able to tell themselves: "Ok, if I get all of my assignments out of the way, I'll be able to pursue my recreational interests with a complete peace of mind." This self-inhibitive mechanism so readily employed to keep people on track seems to lie completely inert within me. Not only do I welcome distractions such as reading, watching TV, and random chores around the house, I seem to embrace and enjoy these activities twice as much as normal. I love the adrenaline of getting a paper done only hours or minutes before it's due, and likewise goes for test taking. Test cramming is such a rush, and I dare anyone to try to convince me otherwise. There's nothing like the feeling of struggling to retain and glue incongruous bits of information in my head by means of mnemonic devices that were just improvised on the spot. Those types of cram sessions generally turn out well. The same cannot be said about papers. I tend to be obsessant and perfectionist about word choices and insignificant details, when I should instead just focus on the whole and revolve everything around that.
Ok, so does anyone have any strategies for beating procrastination? If so, I would really be interested to hear them. I know I have the willpower in me, I just can't seem to go about finding it. Maybe I am just lazy by nature. Sigh, I just don't know anymore
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7 comments:
I think the problem is not that you procrastinate, its just that you really really procrastinate. I work the best under pressure so if I know that i have a lot of time to work on something it doesnt usually refelct my best work. Surprisingly enough I actually have a couple of suggestions for you.
1) find somebody to study with. This person doesnt necessarliy have to have the same classes as you but if ya'll can agree to meet at a certain time and place to work then maybe you will be more focused and structured.
2) assign a specific time, maybe right after your classes so you wont have time for familiar distractions, to go to the library or starbucks or somewhere and begin your work. Hopefully you'll be motivated to finish everything so you can brush up on some historical facts or whatever.
3) do as much of your work as you can with out a computer. if you need to write a paper try to use books or print out pages that you need and then write out your paper. If its a blog then write it in a notebook and type it later. A blank computer screen can be so distracting and tempting when youre bored so its better if you can distance yourself from them when you try to work. definitely dont do your work with one sitting right in front of you.
I cant think of anything else right now but hopefully this stuff will help you. It has worked for me and Sam.
I totally agree with Lauren about working without a computer. Do an outline, or free-write, with NO INTERNET available.
You're a good writer, Phillip, you should do it more often!
The working on the computer thing is definitely what's slowing me down lately. My problem is that I type on the computer sooo much faster than I can write by hand, so I never make myself do too much off of the computer. Plus I don't have much of a work space other than where my computer is..
Good blog, Philip! Keep it up, man.
Beating procrastination? Take a shower, clean your room, and hey! all of your excuses are gone. I don't beat procrastination ever so don't listen to me.
Definitely - lose the computer. My laptop has been my primary source of procrastination throughout the history of Caroline ever procrastinating. At least you go do productive things. I will either relapse into a WoW-athon or stalk people on Facebook for six hours. I also agree with Lauren when she said study with someone - that way you might feel obligated to meet the times you designated to study, and will have to get stuff done. Or you'll just blow them off and not care, lol xD
Yeah, let the computer go.
I think it's just discipline. Some waiting is okay, because, like Lauren said, some people can work better under pressure. But consider how significant the things you're going to be doing are in comparison to what you NEED to be doing. Just yell at yourself. Haha, it sounds awfully negative, but get pissed at yourself for not doing what you're supposed to. I used to procrastinate all of the time, but now the presence of something lingering over me makes me just get up and do it.
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