As a frequent procrastinator, I'm always looking for new ways to approach a task while avoiding my habit to procrastinate. And while my "procrastination-extremity-meter" will vary from project to project (meaning that the tasks I find more appealing are less likely to be procrastinated, and the tasks that are not so appealing are more likely to be procrastinated), I have found some helpful tips and tricks that I have followed. These tips have helped to avoid my tendency to procrastinate, especially when it comes to work that I absolutely dread having to do. So here are some of the most simple and effective ways that have helped me to avoid procrastinating, and maybe you'll find something of your style in here to and give it a try! :)
1. The Eisenhower Decision Matrix
This method of prioritization has worked so well for me when it comes to figuring out how I can best use my time to get things done!
Essentially, this decision matrix is used to organize tasks into four categories: urgent + important (needs to be done ASAP), not urgent + important (set some time in the future to get it done), urgent + not important (choose a time in the near future to get it done or ask for help to get it done with), and not urgent + not important (the last thing on your list that should only be done when you have no other pressing tasks). I recommend looking at that To-Do list you keep avoiding eye contact with and sorting it into these categories. This method can be used to list off things to get done today, tomorrow, this week, this month, etc.
This method is especially helpful with avoiding procrastination when you get home and don't know what needs to be done first. This can cause you to put off everything until you have to get to something. As an example of my efforts, I usually make a weekly to-do list box and keep it near my desk. As soon as I get home from school, I can see what needs to be done. I won't have to procrastinate because I realize the importance of getting something done.
2. Divide Study Time
One of the major reasons that I struggle to study for long periods of time is that it often feels like there is no end. I will be unsure how long I'll be sitting in my chair and reading this textbook or filling out this graphic organizer. To help with avoiding the urge to just pick up my phone and watch YouTube or text a friend for a bit, I divide up my study time into work periods and free-time periods. For example, I'll start a 20-30 minute timer and work/study until the timer goes off. Then, I'll reset the timer for 15-20 minutes and go grab a snack, play a game on my phone, or go for a short walk while this timer is running. When this timer goes off, I'll go back to my "working timer." Usually, I'll just repeat this cycle for the duration of my study time.
Not only does the timer encourage you to make the most of those 20-30 minute intervals that you spend working, but it also allows you to take breaks and de-stress.
Also, if you use a timer on the Google browser (while on Chromebook or laptop), you can see the progress of the timer in the tab bar! This has really helped me keep up a good pace with my work and even pushes me to finish a task before the timer is done. If you prefer to not see this timer, you can always put your device in full-screen mode or pin the tab so that you'll just hear the alarm go off when it's finished. If you decide to pin the tab, you can always hover over the Google icon to quickly check the status of the timer as well.
3. Write Down Important Information as You Get It
Oftentimes, something will get put off until the last minute because I completely forgot about it. I will also sometimes write it down, but won't put it somewhere that I would check and remember about. To help with this, I started keeping an actual planner in my backpack and have been using an online tool called Todoist to keep track of important dates/times on my calendar. This could be for the due date of a project, the date of a test, the time of an appointment, etc. I record anything that I may forget about and could end up scrambling to get to or prepare for. If you decide to use a planner, remember that it doesn't need to be anything fancy. You can keep a small notebook, a pad of sticky notes, etc. — whatever works best for you!
Here's a post I wrote about Todoist a few months ago. It contains tips about its many cool features as well as information on another online organizational tool called Evernote.
You can also keep track of things using a reminder app on your mobile device. Whenever I have to write a quick note down for myself, I simply open up the app on my iPhone (it's the default app called Reminders). I will quickly type in an abbreviation or simple phrase to remind myself later about what I need to do. Then, I'll set a date/time and the reminder will automatically pop up on my lock screen on the day and time I entered.
4. Look to the Future!
I know it sounds a bit cliché, but the quote "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" by Benjamin Franklin is actually a great way that motivates me to get things done as soon as I can. It reminds me that doing as much as I can today will make tomorrow more free and more productive. I truly believe everyone should keep this quote in mind as we work to accomplish our goals and be more productive people.