Anti-Procrastination Tips

Tips to help you to do it when you want to

These are similar to the "Motivation" tips as the issues are similar! Most of us have trouble working on the less exciting tasks ahead of the deadline.

Set yorself realistic and reasonable goals. Put a to-do list where you will see it frequently, such as in your diary. Enjoy the buzz of completing a task ahead of schedule, and give yourself a reward.

Tell people. Try telling people about your goal to stay ahead of your task lists, and ask them to remind you and chase you. Telling people also helps you feel committed to your new intentions.

Reminders for you. If a timeline is not evident to you then you may not remember. Write up a version of your plan, or reminder bullet points, and have them visible where you work and anywhere else you spend a lot of time (in the car, by your bed, above the TV?). If you use computers, a mobile phone, and/or a personal organiser, set up reminder pop-ups, alarms, or emails to yourself.

Make your plans sequential. If you have one task at a time to achieve, it will be easier than trying to complete a whole list of things before you "tick it off".

Success is easier if the plan and the tasks are realistic and do-able. So if you slip, revisit the plan to adapt tasks so that you are sure you can achieve them.

Carrot and Stick: Having set clear targets, reward yourself when you achieve them. And have a suitable "punishment" task to do if you miss the target of your deadline. As before, write these down in advance so that they are clear to you!