Friday, June 10, 2011

Procrastination

So, the assignment has been posted for weeks and as midnight is quickly approaching I wonder why I did not start before work? It's that overwhelming procrastination that hovers over students alike. Procrastination is defined as "delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay". Some say working under pressure yields them better grades, other's are just too lazy. Whatever the excuse, your motivation is to blame. I came across a video that claims to be able to cure this desire with 3 steps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA8D1cGW5Qk&feature=related

The first step they call the 10 minute rule. When you are handed your 10 page term paper assignment on day 1, it typically it sits in your folder until a few weeks until the due date. The initial assignment seems overwhelming, so instead they suggest to break down that assignment into easier to manage sections, say 10 minutes at a time. Second is what they call the 3 magical questions. Seeing it all on paper and reminding yourself of the benefits of completion can strengthen your motivation.
1. Where are you?
2. What should you be doing?
3. How will you feel when you have completed the task?
Finally, is to compare your ultimate goal with your immediate desire. You need to complete your term paper to pass the class, but all of your friends are going to the mall. Reminding yourself of the consequences could help you take that extra step.

4 comments:

  1. I think I will have to try these tips before I procrastinate on my next assignment. Instead of putting that paper in my folder until a week before the due date, I may try to ask myself these questions and motivate myself towards getting it done, and achieving the satisfaction of finishing ahead and not dealing with the stressors of putting assignments off to the last minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree with Alexandra. Next time I'm thinking about procrastinating with something regarding school (which seems to always be the case), I will have to listen to these tips! Instead of putting everything off until the last minute, I will try to look at my assignment ahead of time and maybe even make goals for how much I will try to get done each day until it is finally complete.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I also have a huge problem with procrastination. These tips seem pretty logical and I am definitely going to try using them the next time I have an assignment due. Hopefully they will help reduce the stress from rushing to get things done.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haha I need to try these tips as well...I have a MAJOR procrasination problem...I never used to be like this until coming to college!

    ReplyDelete