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How do I stop procrastinating?

27 Answers
Last Updated: 06/16/2020 at 5:50am
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Top Rated Answers
danica
December 6th, 2014 4:18am
Do not fear failure. Do smaller tasks first. For large tasks, split it up into parts and arrange a schedule to do it a little at a time. It will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Reward yourself, never punish.
RalphBG
December 7th, 2014 10:13am
Stopping procrastinating can be very difficult. I struggle with that all the time. What you should do is whatever you get distracted by (e.g books, cleaning up, tv, lets and others), you should do all that earlier, or put it all in one room and do whatever you need to do in another room. Focus on what you are trying to do. Close your door and just maybe relax for a minute and let all your worries go away. Then try to accomplish the activity you are trying to do. I also suggest telling yourself positive things to keep you motivated. :)
Jules1232
December 18th, 2014 5:48am
One of the biggest skills for overcoming procrastination is taking away the emotional approach and attitude towards it. Instead of pretending as if you have all the time in the world or as if it does not matter, think as logical as you possibly can about it. Knowing you have to get it done- and do just that. Getting it done in a timely fashion not only allows you to produce quality work, but helps prevent the last minute cramming and anxiety of the procrastination itself. It is always easier said than done; however, sometimes the hardest part, is just getting started.
Anonymous
January 4th, 2015 5:05pm
Procrastination has been a problem for me since middle school. The best way too stop procrastinating is to manage your time when doing work, map out your work beforehand (for example: I will study for chemistry for 45 minutes then take a break, then do math homework for an hour, etc). Do your work as far away as possible from electronics and other distractions (unless you need it for work). Also, taking breaks in between work helps your mind re-fresh.
TheLastBeforeTheStorm
November 29th, 2014 3:30am
I have worked on my procrastination by creating incentives and punishments. If I achieve all my goals, I get something that I really enjoy, such as pudding. If I don't, then I have to skip dessert for 2 days.
Erynn
December 25th, 2014 3:33am
Schedules help, and breaking a task into small parts can help - only do part at a time. Positive self talk can be very important if your procrastinating is largely to do with anxiety. Taking only things you need to do your work, and sitting in a new/different setting may help. Turning off computers/phones if possible may help. Setting time limits and working for 15, 20 minutes without standing up or doing anything else can help too. Study buddies are often a bad idea if you or they get distracted easily, but sometimes helpful. Rewarding yourself after making small pieces of your goals can help too - like, finish this chapter and buy a coffee, but then make sure to return to work.
SocialButterfly31
March 13th, 2015 5:54am
The way I kill procrastination when I really need to get things done is I do the following: 1.) Make a list of what needs to be done. 2.) Cross of the things off the list for doing so it is like a time you can celebrate as you are getting things done. 3.) Put away things that can distract you like computer, phone, iPod, not watch tv, 4.) Reward yourself when you get things done for example, I got my math homework done now I am going to make myself popcorn. 5.) Remember that you can accomplish anything you set your mind too.
Anonymous
January 11th, 2016 6:14pm
I have exactly the same problem... So I can't give you "been there, done that" advice. It's an ongoing journey for me. But recently I've discovered a site called habitica.com , and it's really helping me to get things done. I don't know if it would help you, but you could try it out.
Ana4hear
June 26th, 2018 9:56pm
Count 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. And do some activity....move your body or start taking action. If you do it like this it will be good to start the activity. Slowly You will start taking actions rather than waiting and watching things happen automatically. As it is not going to happen till you do it . If it’s a big goal break it into small , measurable, achievable, realistic,time bound(smart) steps.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2014 3:09pm
I guess you basically kind of just 'stop' by doing things slowly and building the momentum. Of course there is a balance between idle and over-worked.
Anonymous
December 21st, 2014 5:47am
Usually, we procrastinate when we are intimidated by something, whether it's a paper or an exam or anything that could intimidate you. Try breaking up the material into smaller chunks and work toward your goal, one day/chunk at a time!
Anonymous
November 17th, 2014 1:11am
the best answer to that is also hard to do. you just have to force yourself to start. i found that once you start your work you are find but it is hard t get motivated so you kind of just have to push yourself to start
SpitfireWitch
December 17th, 2018 12:08pm
I've been there, done that. It's hard. To this day I'm still doing it. But a little tip, if you have a deadline that's not due anytime soon and you have nothing to do, DO IT. I may seem like a waste of time, like why should I do something that isn't due in like a week. Trust me, do it straight away. Get it done and over with! Sleep early. Don't sleep at 12 in the morning just for studying. Sleep at normal times so for the next day, you have the energy to present whatever you are presenting.
delicatdreamer16
October 7th, 2018 11:57pm
Make yourself a schedule! It's hard to stop yourself from procrastinating if you're not sure what needs to be done. Figure out what you need to get done. Then, decide what smaller tasks need to be done (i.e. when writing an essay, one smaller objective would be writing your thesis statement). Next, take those smaller tasks to make a general schedule. (I.e. by Monday be done x and by Tuesday be done y.) From there make yourself a DETAILED schedule. I mean detailed! Break it into 15 minute or half hour increments and write exactly what you need to be doing. Don't forget to schedule breaks and food time, though! This way, when you find yourself procrastinating you can look at your schedule and see exactly what you need to be doing!
CalmWhisper22
April 2nd, 2018 1:26pm
What I do to stop procrastinating is make a schedule and stick to it. I put stuff that I need to do on my calendar and then that day I set alarms on my calendar so I don't forget to do the things I need to get done that day.
Anonymous
March 12th, 2018 10:35pm
There are ways to stop procasinating either by using time management on a task in which once you're done with a task you can kick back and relax another way is a reward system.
Leila22
January 30th, 2018 5:15am
Procrastinating is easy to do and hard to stop. Instead of putting something to the side over and over again, make a schedule so you know what you need to do. Keep an agenda that helps you stay organized with what you need to do and set time limits to get the specific things done.
Greatlistener87
March 21st, 2016 6:07am
Once you have rethink a situation or thing more than 3 times you are already procrastinating. You can second guess things but u will never really know how it really ends up till u try. So tell yourself that and try.
mysteriousButterfly2020
June 16th, 2020 5:50am
Procrastination is definitely a kicker and can really affect our productivity negatively at times when we really need to be productive. Here are a few tips that help me beat procrastination: #1: I would suggest removing any distractions from your study/workspace. Distractions can come in many forms such as your cellphone, social media, or even other tasks that are more appealing. #2: I would suggest to make a list of items you need to complete. At the top, list the items that need to be done right away and cannot wait. Towards the bottom of the list, you will write down items that can be completed later on. #3: Set a timer for 30-45 min intervals during which you must stay productive. Then take 15-20 min breaks in-between your "working" time intervals. I hope these tips help :)
Flinch59
December 22nd, 2015 8:57pm
Try giving yourself incentives, such as rewarding yourself with some chocolate after completing a set number of tasks. Don't overburden yourself with too much at once, but rather start small, and work your way up. It also helps to buddy up with someone, as you can each make sure the other doesn't procrastinate.
Anonymous
December 22nd, 2015 12:40am
Do not fear failure. Do smaller tasks first. For large tasks, split it up into parts and arrange a schedule to do it a little at a time. It will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Reward yourself, never punish.
MyBrainIsSickButThatsOkay
November 2nd, 2015 9:09am
I make a list of everything I need to get done for that day. Next to each task is then a box to be check marked, I find that the checks make me feel motivated and accomplished.
greenberyl
September 1st, 2015 2:35pm
There are a multitude of ways that you can find on the internet. The best way that works for me is to tell myself that 9-5 is work time. Nothing else. So even if I want to stop doing this work, I don't because I know that if I do, I'll still just have to do another piece of work. That gets work done, and then after 5 I can do things I want to do. It's a nice stress free way of living as well.
Anonymous
August 31st, 2015 7:11pm
Procrastination is a big thing in this day and age! You're totally not alone in it. Unfortunately, procrastination can sneak up on you at any time. What is important is that you remember your goal and how important whatever the task at hand is to you. Motivation is often the biggest motivator!
Anonymous
July 28th, 2015 10:51pm
Sometimes looking at a large amount of tasks or one large task can seem daunting, preparation is key to starting to move toward achieving goals. Break down goals and tasks into simpler more readily attainable tasks and set aside time for those smaller tasks. It'll minimize the feeling of having to complete everything at once.
thisismejessica
May 30th, 2015 5:43am
Procrastination can only be stopped by actually doing it! (A thousand miles journey starts with a single step!) The next question then, is how to motivate you? One easy way is to find out what you like, use that as rewards that you can get after you finish what you have to do!
DigitalDesu
May 6th, 2015 1:34am
Think about your "why's" in life, make them your motivation to push yourself to do the thing that has to be done in order to get to that why.