How I deal with procrastination that just comes from being lazy/not feeling it!
This is a really apt post for me right now, because I am currently going through a productivity slump, but I’ve had these countless times and I always manage to get back on track. Hopefully these can help you guys (and me lol)!
1. Make a list of the things you have to do
I find that making a list of all the things you have to do helps to a) lay out everything that you have to do so you can plan your time accordingly e.g. finish those that are more important first and b) stress you out a bit so you realise wow i have so many things to do i better get started
Try to make your to-do list as detailed as possible. I like to break my to dos into tiny tasks. For example, let’s say I’m doing a research essay, I could put “Write intro” and “Write body paragraph″ and “Write conclusion” as separate to dos, just so I can tick them off. I think it makes me feel like I’m being productive, which makes me happy and makes me want to be even more productive!
I swear this works: Plan the actual day you end your non-productiveness. For me, procrastination always comes in waves and I spend a few days not doing anything. To end the procrastination streak, I plan the exact day that I stop procrastinating and start being productive (which for me, it’s TOMORROW, wish me luck lol).
The night before, I plan what I’m gonna do, where I’m gonna do it, and sometimes the time I do it (especially if I plan to do revision, where it could be non-stop, unlike assignments which you might not know how long it’ll take). Remember to plan breaks in between as well if you know you can get tired easily!
I always make sure to write down my plans, because I think writing down things tends to compel me to actually go through with things since it seems almost like a contract. Typing things on my phone or laptop takes away the determination to go through with things, for me at least!
The most important day to be productive in the first day where you start getting back into the swing of things, which is why I think it’s very crucial to plan this first day. Once you feel like you’ve been sufficiently productive on the first day, it would be much easier to be productive for the days following.
3. Get yourself into an environment in which you know will force you to be productive
This really depends on each individual, but here are some of my own tried-and-tested things I do to make sure I do things:
Put on makeup and dress up. It makes me feel like I have to do something productive since I took the trouble to make myself look good.
Go outside to study. Staying at home works for me only when I know I’m in a productive mood, and when I’m in procrastination mode, it just entices me to watch Netflix. Going outside to a starbucks or a cafe makes me feel like I have to be productive or the money I spent to buy a drink and the time it took to get out of the house would be wasted.
Study with people you know can get you into the study mode, or at least not distract you from it. If not, just go yourself. I have a certain group of friends that I know I can study with and I would never get distracted by them, so I’ll hit them up and see if they wanna study together. If not, then I’d go by myself. No company is better than bad company!
Study at a place you know you like. Don’t go to a place where most people go to study, like the library or a starbucks, if it doesn’t work for you. For example, I can’t stand studying at public libraries because I think they’re too quiet for me, and I hate studying at certain starbucks because I don’t like the vibe! Of course, knowing which study spots are the best for you takes a bit of trial-and-error, but find out which is the place you can concentrate the best at, and stick to it!
4. Tell everybody about your plans, and tell everyone once you’ve went through with them!
Okay, this might be a bit irritating to some people, but just don’t be pompous about it and it should be fine. I make sure that I tell as many people as I can about my plans, and when I actually successfully go through with them, I’ll tell people too.
I think telling people your plans adds to the pressure to be productive, and it just kind of solidifies the promise you make to yourself to finish whatever that you need to. It’s just too easy to give up when only you know what you were supposed to do! And telling others about your success just makes the pleasure of doing something productive even better, so it’ll be even easier to continue being so. Celebrating the tiny achievements you have, like completing one task on your to do list, makes being productive not seem so daunting.
Usually, I tell my mama and my sister about what plans I have and what I managed to finish. I also post it on my main Instastory so I feel obligated to do it, and really, really satisfied once I’m done.
If you feel like people might think you’re obnoxious for rubbing your productivity in people’s faces, or that you might seem boastful, you could just private Snapchat or Insta DM it to your closer friends, or post it on a private/second account (if you have one!) You could create a study instagram or tumblr account too, which was one of the reasons why I created mine!
You guys could also totally message me on my Instagram or on this account if you want to share what you’ve done, or if you want me to remind you to/make sure you finish your to do list!! I’m actually really open to that, so don’t be shy!
Okay wow, I didn’t expect this post to be so long, but I really hope it helps! Tell me if these tips and tricks work out for you!
Leave a comment, ask or a PM, I’d love to hear from you!
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