He who puts off nothing till tomorrow has done a great deal. Baltasar Gracián 1601 - 56 Spanish priest/author

Time and project management series

Avoiding procrastination

Is your procrastination related to a project?
or is it a habit?

To remedy procrastination:

1. Begin with one, modest project
2. Answer these basic questions
3. Keep the answers before you as you mark your progress

What do you want to do?

• What is the final objective, the end result?
  It may be obvious, or not
• What are the major steps to get there?
  Don't get too detailed: think big
• What have you done so far?
  Acknowledge that you are already part of the way,
  even if it is through thinking!
  The longest journey begins with a first step

Why do you want to do this?

• What is your biggest motivation?
  Do not concern yourself if your motivation is negative!
  This is honest and a good beginning.
  However, if your motivation is negative,
  re-phrase and re-work it until it is phrased positively
• What other positive results will flow from achieving your goal?
  Identifying these will help you uncover
  benefits that you may be avoiding: Dare to dream!

List out what stands in your way

• What is in your power to change?
• What resources outside yourself do you need?
  Resources are not all physical (i.e. tools and money),
  and include time, people/professionals/elders, even attitude
• What will happen if you don't progress?
  It won't hurt to scare yourself a little...

Create a simple "To Do" list
This simple program will help you identify a few tasks, the reason for doing them, a timeline for getting them done, and then printing this simple list and posting it for reminders.

Develop your plan, list

• Major, realistic steps
  A project is easier when it is built in stages;
  Start small;
  Add detail and complexity as you achieve and grow
• How much time each will take
  A schedule helps you keep a progress chart
  and reinforce that there are way-stations on your path
• What time of day, week, etc. you dedicate yourself
  to work. This helps you
  develop a new habit of working,
  build a good work environment, and
  distance distractions (It is much easier to enjoy your project when distractions are set aside.)
• Rewards you will have at each station
  and also what you will deny yourself until you arrive at each station

• Build in time for review
  Find a trusted friend, elder, or expert to help you
  motivate yourself or monitor progress

Admit to:

• False starts and mistakes as learning experiences
  They can be more important than successes,
  and give meaning to "experience"
• Distractions and escapes
  Do not deny they exist, but deny their temptation
• Emotion
  Admit to frustration when things don't seem to be going right
  Admit that you have had a problem, but also that you are doing something about it
• Fantasy
  See yourself succeeding

Finally, if procrastination is a habit of yours:
Focus on the immediate task and project, and build up from there.
Each journey begins with one step.

Time management series

Time management | My daily schedule | My weekly schedule |
Scheduling my school calendar | My goals | Organizing my tasks |
Creating to-do lists | Avoiding procrastination | Developing self-discipline