It’s a feeling we’ve all experienced. The prospect of study, or finishing an assignment hangs over you and all you want to do is just relax. You need to get it done, but what do you do? Spend hours flicking through pointless Youtube videos, catching up on your favourite show, or even, in a severe moment of desperation you decide to clean your room. All in an act to avoid doing the work you have to get done. I’m guilty of it too. Right now, I’m procrastinating, writing this article (in the hope that it will help you), avoiding the stack of readings I have to get through for uni tomorrow.
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But there are ways in which you can put procrastination in its place, and though there are times when procrastination will get the better of you if you follow these foolproof tips, you’ll start becoming a more productive worker, and not leave everything to the last minute. You might even see your grades improve!
Wake Up Early
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why do I have to wake up earlier, just to do my work? I’ll have plenty of time to do it, later in the day without having to sacrifice my precious sleep. Well, I speak from experience when I say that waking up earlier and getting your work down in the early hours of the morning, rather than pushing it back further and further, will not only get you better grades but will give you the mindset to achieve your best self.
Studies have shown that people who wake up early are more likely to not only achieve their goals but have a higher chance of becoming more successful compared to their lazy counterparts who sleep in past 8 am. Don’t you trust my word? Ask Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg and David Cush, who all wake up before the sun has risen.
Make a Schedule
If you plan out your day, and tick of each item as you go along then there is more of a chance that you will get things done. The tip is to not make each task a huge ordeal. Take baby steps, and gradually knock of the work one small payload at a time. That way, it won’t even seem like an arduous journey, and you’ll have the rest of the day to be free afterwards. Or if it’s a task that will take more than one day, prioritise one thing each day.
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Reduce Distractions
Depending on what the task is, try and keep off the internet as much as possible. Tell your parents to take your devices and tell them not to give them back to you until a certain time. We all know the temptation of a good Instagram feed calling us, so reduce that distraction and possibility of procrastination to as small as possible.
Set Goals and Incentives
We all need the motivation to do our best work. Ambition is an important thing that drives us to be successful human beings. Setting yourself goals, whether they be big or small, are a great way of keeping on track. Your goal could be to improve your ATAR or GPA so you get into the university course you want, or even just to feel good and excel your capacity to learn! It’s also a great thing to incentivise, everyone needs rewards. Give yourself short breaks, and reward yourself when you’ve finished a certain task, whether that’s a short ten minutes on social media or a yummy treat to keep you sated. Basically, TREAT YO SELF!
Start the Assignment the Day You Get It
Now, this may sound a best too keen, but it works, trust me. If you start the assignment the day your teacher or lecturer hands it out, the more likely you won’t just push it back to further and further. The sooner your brain starts engaging with the content, you’ll remember to do it more!
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If you follow these tips and tricks, you will be able to nick your annoying habit of procrastination in the butt! When all things fail I turn to my two leading mantras of inspiration: Britney Spears and Shia Lebouf. Britney demands, “You better work, B****!” and Shia Lebouf shouts, “JUST DO IT!” That’s all you need in life, trust me!
If you have anymore great tips to fight procrastination, why not head over to our forum so you can continue the conversation with out friendly community.
