Procrastination is one of the greatest enemies of getting things done in an orderly and timely manner. Whether it be an English paper in college or a major business project at a marketing firm, procrastination can cause serious stress or problems if left unchecked. Luckily, you can stop the procrastination and get things done without having to wait till the last minute.
Step 1
Set firm, smaller and more detailed goals to help you realize exactly what needs to be done, vs. just having one large goal in mind. Smaller goals also seem less insurmountable, which may help you overcome the urge to delay getting started on them.
Step 2
Ban distractions such as cell phones, social networking sites, TV, radio and anything else that could prevent you from focusing. If you are tempted by email alerts to new comments on your Facebook or MySpace pages, or just emails in general, turn off your automatic alerts.
Step 3
Schedule in time for a break. When facing one or more large projects, write down how long you are going to work before taking a 10- to 15-minute break. When taking a break, step away from your workspace, walk around to get blood moving or eat a small snack before getting back to work.
Step 4
Use a helpful tool such as a timer. Setting a timer for how long you are going to work before taking a break can help keep you on task. Take your deadline time and divide it into one- or two-hour blocks separated by breaks. Set the timer for each break and work diligently up till the timer goes off. The timer helps you break up your time between breaks and work, while still getting the tasks you need to finish done.
Step 5
Break up larger tasks into smaller, manageable ones. Along with setting smaller goals, divide each goal into manageable sections. Set a goal to finish a section during each block between breaks.
Step 6
Give yourself a concrete deadline even if there isn't one. Having a deadline helps keep you motivated to finish a project. When there is a real deadline, set a personal deadline to finish before the real deadline. This will give you extra time to relax if you finish, or extra time to finish if you need it. This can relieve the stress of the last-minute rush to the deadline.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider methods such as the Pomodoro Technique to help practice better time management and lower time-related anxiety. The Pomodoro Technique uses a timer to break up work time into 25-minute intervals with a break between each interval. This can help you learn time management skills and focus better on completing your task.
Things You'll Need
- Timer
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