Seriously, I have a huge problem with just getting the damn job done. I know I’m not alone here, that other people must have the same issue.
I’m a good writer, but when I have an assignment I invariably put it off until the night before and end up staying up late into the night getting things done. Each paragraph is like pulling teeth, unless the topic really interests me. And even then it takes serious effort to just get started.
For instance, right now I should be writing. Instead I’m whining at you people about my problems.
Anyone in the same boat? Anyone here successfully gotten over the dreaded procrastination monster?
The only thing that’s ever helped me with this is to schedule stuff. I have to say to myself “I will do Task A between 1 and 3 pm.” Write it down, then stick to it. Make deals with yourself: I’d rather watch TV, so I’ll work on this for an hour and then I can watch TV for half an hour. As soon as an assignment comes in, schedule time to do it, an hour a day, two hours a day, whatever. I also find it helps to go somewhere else where there aren’t so many distractions, like the library. No TV and no fridge there!
Mind you: I can still successfully put things off until I get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that prompts me to finally – tardily, probably half-assedly – get something done. But blocking time to do it (reasonably painless chunks, with as much lead time as possible) can help.
Wow. I’m avoiding doing my work by reading a thread about not getting work done. Um…I’m looking for self help for my problem…yeah that’s it.
Seriously though, I find the best way to get my work done is to clear my environment of all distractions. For me, that means going to the library with just my books and papers, turning off my cell phone, sitting way back in the corner where no one will see me and stop by to chat for half an hour. I guess that may be harder for you if you’re a writer and need to use the computer to type because solitaire and the internet is always just a click away.
I’ve learned to accept that this is just the way that I work. When I have something to write, I go over it in my head, get myself psyched up to write it, and then put it off until the last minute. Seriously, I once started a ten page paper four hours before it was due, and that includes research. It doesn’t help that I always get good grades on these papers.
I still feel horrible that I procrastinate, but I’ve accepted the guilt as part of the process. It works for me.
Some people work professionally this way. I think the trick is to have a immovable deadline. Too often in my life people don’t set deadlines, and things just don’t get finished. Last minute work isn’t so bad if it’s successful for you, and it’s your regular work practice, unless it stresses you out somehow. So I wouldn’t worry too much.
You might try taking more of a big-picture view of time manangement. For example, take a look at Stephen Covey’s book First Things First. What I’ve found is that when something is truly interesting and a priority to me, I procrastinate less. The things I would do just because someone or society expects me to do them, I procrastinate the heck out of. The way this has worked for me is to gradually spend more of my time working on things I see as high priority, and just realizing there’s some stuff I will never care a hoot about. For example, anything to do with yard work or gardening–I have completely written off that topic.
You talk about having a writing assignment. I’m not sure if that means you are a student or you write for a living. For me, when I’ve picked an interesting topic, I have no problem getting started on the research, because I want to know the topic. So the question becomes not “When is it due?” but “When can I start?” Whether it’s by picking your classes or guiding your career, the more you can direct your work to the topics that really interest you, the easier it will be to overcome procrastination.
There’s always some dull stuff in life no matter what you do, and for that the advice earlier about avoiding distractions and gutting it out is perhaps the best way to handle it. But you can reduce the need for those tactics by thinking big picture.
Ashes, Ashes are you me? Because that is exactly my modus operandi. I’m currently busy trying to figure out how one writes a 200+ page PhD dissertation the night before…because it seems like my usual method just won’t work for that. I guess I’ll have to find another way.
I’m terrible for doing that. However I don’t leave it to the last minuite. I start a week or two before. Each time I only write a little bit then end up doing something else. But it gets done eventually.
I habitually procrastinate. I had beaten the habit somewhat (starting the morning before, instead of the night before). However (and I am writing an essay as I post this) I’m slipping. For me it works, I need the extra time to think things over and have them ready to put down on paper, or word processor as the case may be.
I used to be like that. I’m not anymore, and I’m not sure exactly when or how the change came. In some ways, I have Nike to thank - their “Just do it” campaign resonates within me. I think about how much I hate that sick feeling that comes from procrastinating, and I think about that light, airy feeling that comes from getting something done and out of the way, and I sit down and just do it.
One thing that does work for me, however, is doing things as soon as I get them. If I put it off one day, I’ll put it off indefinitely. I have to make special efforts to finish things, too - I’ll get something almost done, then leave the last bit to the bitter end.
Can you say “kitchen timer”? That’s my secret. I’ll set the timer for a samll increment of time, 15-30 minutes, and work as dilligently as I can on the task at hand. When the timer goes off, I get a 15 minute break, for which I also set the timer so I can’t stretch the 15 into 20 or 25 or. . .well, you know. When I do things this way, I’m almost always amazed at how productive I can be in just 30 minutes. Also, if I’m tempted to stop what I am doing and, for instance, fill my coffee mug, I know I can wait because I’ve got a break coming up.
Yer askin’ the wrooooong person, buddy. I struggle with this all the time. Sometimes I overcome it and just get the damn thing done, and other times I let it sit until panic sets in.
My motto is, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”
I do the same, but I’ve accepted that’s the way I work. I do try to plan some if it’s going to be a ton of work, but I’ve realized that 1. I can stress and worry for two weeks and not do it til the last minute anyway or 2. I can not worry about it til the last minute, then do it, and still do the same quality of work.
Are you getting enough fiber in your diet? — Oh wait, this isn’t about what I thought it was about when I saw the thread title.
I think procrastination is a symptom of perfectionism, or at least of wanting to do as good a job as possible. Work expands to fill the time available; you’re going to keep working on it as long as possible in order to make it as good as possible. If you put off starting, at least it doesn’t consume all the minutes in your life, just the last ones.
What sometimes helps is to break it down into more manageable tasks. For example, if you have to write something, start by jotting down things you might want to say, in whatever order and wording they occur to you; then outline and organize; then write a rough draft; then polish it—each stage being something that you can work on a little at a time (an hour here, a few minutes there) and that doesn’t have to be perfect or complete.