How do you avoid procrastination?

[Bvenged]

I need some help, guys.
I've got two 2,500 word assignments to write by the 10th. I planned them back at the start of my time-off in December and have even written an introduction; but I just can't seem to settle down to do it for the long periods of time that I require.

It's not a lack of motivation, per se, as I get a degree at the end of it and it's a subject that sort-of comes naturally to me, but it is because of procrastination however.

I get up in the morning (7-8am), hop on the cross-trainer, grab a coffee and read the escapist & BBC news. Then I get lost on Cracked.com, check twitter & facebook briefly, check Xbox.com, grab something to eat with another coffee, followed by telling myself "I'll start after this.". Realise it's lunch, have lunch and watch TV then go "oh, it's 4pm. I said I would do all my work in the morning, I've still got a week and a half to do it - time to play some Xbox before I go out tonight".

I'm also not an evening person when it comes to concentration and I'm a bit of an internet addict. So basically, what tips have ya' got for me to stop all this procrastination and get back into a working routine? I don't think having 6 months off any kind of work helped me there at all.

I'll post the first tip to help get things going & also for anyone else interested.

 

[Bvenged]

OP's Tip

Have as early a night as you possibly can. Get up early the next morning (7-8am) grab a coffee and don't go anywhere near anything electronic if you can help it. Go in a completely different room if you can and do your work there.

For revision: use many different colours, make sure you're in a quiet location, draw where you can, try and repeat things back from memory that you've read. All of this helps no matter what kind of learner you are.

For assignments: play so quiet music, block out anything that can interrupt you, have a hot drink as well. I'm still working on the rest.

If in need of a computer: create a hot link on the startmenu/taskbar to a folder that contains nothing but work. Add a picture to the icon and use a different internet browser, even one you don't like, to stop you from checking up on your favourites and bookmarks bar (which you will not import when you install it).

Now I've got a tricky situation where my own guidelines have faulted me; so help me out guys, please?

 

[Lectori Salutem]

I'll tell you sometime.

 

[Esotera]

Plan out your day, and aim to get 100% of everything you've planned done. You should expect to complete about 80%, and that should be good enough.

Have definitely broke my own rule for the past week though.

 

[Logiclul]

Well, I'm just going to say that I also want lots of responses, because I'm just about to start a massive research report that is due tomorrow as well as edit an essay due tomorrow which I've had a month to do for both. But yeah, I think I'm in good shape.

 

[HardkorSB]

what tips have ya' got for me to stop all this procrastination and get back into a working routine?

So what you're asking is:
"How do I put down the controller and start working on my assignments?"
I've got a solution. It's very avangarde but it's just crazy enough to work. Are you ready? This might blow your mind but here goes:

PUT DOWN THE DAMN CONTROLLER AND START WORKING ON THE ASSIGNMENTS!!!

 

[JesterRaiin]

Now I've got a tricky situation where my own guidelines have faulted me; so help me out guys, please?

You're making it too complicated.

Get up, do your job, case closed.
The important part is : DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. Try to have perfectly clear mind void of anything what's not crucial to your task. Every time you'll think some thoughts similar to "damn, i need to do this", "man, so much work to do", "it's been 5 hours and still not done", "maybe a little distraction will help" - smack yourself in the face.

Welcome to the world of Geburah.

 

[WafflesandBacon]

Negative reinforcement. Wear a rubber band, or several if needed, and any time you feel yourself slacking off, snap it.

 

[DPeteD]

Why you asking me? what do you think im doing on this site? matter of fact what are you doing here mister? got bored of your work and decided to waste time on the escapist? tsk tsk

Well anyway the best way is to just remember that the thought of doing work is worse than actually doing it, well thats what I tell myself anyway.

 

[DPeteD]

what tips have ya' got for me to stop all this procrastination and get back into a working routine?

So what you're asking is:
"How do I put down the controller and start working on my assignments?"
I've got a solution. It's very avangarde but it's just crazy enough to work. Are you ready? This might blow your mind but here goes:

PUT DOWN THE DAMN CONTROLLER AND START WORKING ON THE ASSIGNMENTS!!!

But...but I dont wanna!

 

[craftomega]

Do, Dont think.

Dont think about what you need to do, how much time it will take, how much effort it will be, just DO IT.

It does not aloways work but I find that it helps.

 

[Bvenged]

good answers so far; will initiate all of them at once tomorrow. Minus unpluging the internet, I need that.

 

[thespyisdead]

i do not, though when the time draws near, i usually kick my self in the ass, and get it done

 

[TheRussian]

I just tend to roll with my procrastination, which results in quickly executed decisions that end up working out for me.

 

[Baby Eater]

I just put off procrastinating to another time. Yes, I procrastinate procrastinating.

Fuck logic.

 

[kasperbbs]

Wait for the last day and then work like mad, because if you dont, youre screwed. Thats what i do.

 

[PureIrony]

Don't let yourself give you bullshit. Procrastinators are, at heart, inveterate liars. "oh, I can totally get that done tomorrow". Don't let yourself do that.

Also, you need to come to terms with the reason you procrastinate. Do you procrastinate because you like the thrill of rushing at the last minute, because you're afraid if you try to do an assignment, you'll fail, or because you can't decide what to do?

 

[Blackmagic1515]

I tend to work on a reward system. I'll do an hours work, with a half hour break, then another hour work. That way I don't get uber bored and my work gets done. Win win.

 

[alen456645]

Its an impossible question anyways, your talking about procrastinating your procrastination.

 

[BishopofAges]

The best way I avoid procrastination and cause my subconsious to motivate me is by telling someone I respect that I am going to do the task, because my subconsious will never let me become a lier to someone I respect.