Personally, I’d rather sit for a root canal than do my taxes. Unfortunately, putting off an important task doesn’t get me any closer to feeling better about what has to be done. In fact, it adds unwanted pressure to an already busy life. Here are a few strategies that can make the challenge of taking on a crucial task seem less daunting:
The 15-minute Rule
Commit to working 15 minutes at a time on a project and then take a quick 5 to 8 minute break. During this break, do something that you enjoy, such as stepping outside to chew gum or reading an inspirational passage. Even a brisk walk around the department or building helps to restart your thinking engine. When you reach my 15-minute mark, you’ll feel confident in knowing that you’ve kept your word. You’ll feel better about yourself and your ability to follow-through. It helps to break up the monotonous day by inserting some personal rewards that stimulate your desire for accomplishment. Rewarding small accomplishments will motivate you to keep going.
Time Estimation
I can’t list the number of times I’ve underestimated how long it would take to complete an assignment, leaving me to feel rushed and pressured to get it done. Rationalizing the length of time it takes to accomplish a certain task isn’t always practical, especially if it’s a task you’ve never completed before. Recent advancements in technology often trick us into believing that we can get our work done in half the time. For example, we tend to think that researching for a report will take very little time using electronic resources, as compared to using actual books in a library. This is not necessarily true. It could take quite some time to find what you’re looking for, even electronically. Consider the time it takes to find a good database, print, and organize what you’ve found. When I have a research assignment, I estimate completion time according to how long it should take to do the research (one-hour per subtopic) and how long it should take to do write the rough draft (one-hour per page).
Think Positive
I’ve found that when I approach a project as though it’s the worst thing I’ve ever done, it usually is. Thinking this way can block progress even before the activity starts. If you associate unpleasant feelings with doing the task then you’re less likely to convince yourself to get started on it. It makes the work twice as hard if you doubt your ability. That problem can be solved by making a stern affirmation that you can accomplish anything that’s put before you. This is especially true if it’s something that someone else, at some point, has already done. Believe that you are just as capable as the next person. Once the negative thoughts are discarded, true progress is accomplished and quality work is produced. It’s a huge advantage to focus on the end results, rather than the difficulties you may encounter along the way.
Resolving the procrastination problem doesn’t usually happen instantaneously. It takes time to develop effective strategies that focus your mind to fixate on positive outcomes. You can reduce the effects of procrastinating by being proactive in two areas: (1) recognizing why you procrastinate and (2) changing the way you approach difficult tasks.
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