Wednesday, October 27, 2010

How to Combat Procrastination...READ NOW!

We've all felt defeated by the big, bad procrastination monster at one point or another, and it doesn't feel good! Putting off tasks and problems for another day only brings on more headaches and not-needed stress.  Today, I'm going to offer some college-inspired tips on how to start acting now and stand up to this stress inducing problem.

1. Break down the problem!  From the mouth of the wise Martin Luther King, Jr., "you don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Anything can seem relatively impossible if you look too far ahead, so break the problem down into smaller, more manageable segments.  You will not only be able to focus more intently on each part of the problem, but you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you start checking off parts that you've solved.  Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day!  And your 10-page research paper won't be typed in a night either.

2. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill! AKA Don't blow a task out of proportion.  You can make any task or problem seem more difficult than it actually is by over thinking it and putting it off.  It's only natural that the more hours and days you delay something the worse it seems in your mind.  The best remedy: look at the problem, do a little planning as to how you're going to attack it, and then dig right in!

3. Start with the hard tasks first!  If something on your to-do list is really bothering you or making you anxious, do it at the very beginning of your day.  If you get this yucky task out of the way first, the rest of your to-do list will seem simple and easy! 

4. Finally, finish what you've started!  Not starting a big project or task will have you feeling stressed and anxious, but starting something and not finishing it will make you feel just as bad.  So before you begin something else, tackle your unfinished business.  This will leave your mind feeling clear, refreshed and ready to handle something new!

Written By: Kayla Molczan

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