Procrastination Solutions-- HELP!

[solotraveler]

I'm looking for a little advice about this---

I have a very demanding full-time job with crazy hours and have just returned to school (online program) which I have also begun full-time. Oh, and there's the pesky training for the 2005 WDW marathon. I enjoy my job and have been looking forward to going to school for a long time, and looking forward to the race but....

I am the world's WORST procrasticator!! I can't seem to get anything done-- ever. I know I had this problem when I was in school, but I didn't expect this to still be a problem in my mid20s!!

So for all of you who have been in the same predicament before, HELP! What did you do to break the habit?? Heck, even if you got your kids to break the habit, what did they do?? I'm just looking to make this better before I get myself any further into the hole at work or school.

Any and all ideas appreciated!
Thanks,
Solotraveler

 

[mickeyboat]

My suggestion is to break down your tasks into smaller components that seem more manageable to you. Then set aside a certain amount of time to complete the smaller task. Before you know it, you will be done with the big project.

Of course, this is coming from a person who had a month to complete her year end accounting project (due Monday) and is struggling to get away from the DIS to finish it.

Good Luck to you.

Denae

 

[monkeyboy]

I'll tell ya tomorrow

 

[Rajah]

I don't know, but if you find a solution, let me know?

 

[DisneyJules]

I'm a HUGE procrastinator, as we speak, I should have already started my school work, ah! I think at times, I'm worried of failing or doing poorly so I the irrational side of my brain figures it will just disappear and I won't have to deal with it. I am getting better, though since we had break from University, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. It's tough, I know.

 

[SugarBear]

I'm almost 45 and haven't broken the habit, yet. I'm also married to a procrastinator so nothing seems to get done around here. DH just read a book about it and they suggest that you do the hardest and worst task first thing in the day to get it over with.

 

[Shannon G]

Maybe if you set procrastination as a goal, and then you procrastinate on doing it, it would mean you are actually getting something done???

Just kidding, but there IS a strange sort of logic to it...

 

[caitycaity]

wow solotraveler -- i could have written your post.

i am also working fulltime at a job with crazy hours and i also returned to school (though not online).

this is going to sound crazy and anal, but what i do is have a schedule and stick to it. every day. of course sometimes you have to change things, and that's ok, but i have found if i get really anal and schedule my whole day out, specifically, and try to stick to it, i can get a lot done.

 

[disykat]

I'm not a big procrastinator - except when it comes to housework. I set myself goals like and reward myself with leisure time - "if I get ------- done, then I can watch Survivor" etc. Sort of a reward/punishment combo. If I don't have a deadline, or a deadline that is too far away, then it can become an issue.

 

[Kimickey]

My solution to procrastination is be like Nike and Just Do It. Don't think about what you have to do, don't weigh wether it's fesible to do right now or not, and don't make excuses as to why you cannot do it. If it's somthing that needs to be done get off your bum and do it. That is the only way to get out of the habit. I was a procrastinator once, but now I feel so much lighter when I do the things that need to get done with out sitting on my butt and waiting for it to get done. You catch my drift

 

[Disneycrazymom]

One thing that helps me is to make a list everyday. Put everything on the list, no matter how small. Number the list putting the most important thing first etc. Start at the top and work down. Cross off each thing as you go. With out my list I will get nothing done but when I have the list I will stay focused until all is crossed off!

 

[skuttle]

I'd LOVE to know, too!

I'm taking my bar exam in 17 days and I've not done the studying I should have done by now! Isn't that crazy? A test that I need to move forward with my career, a test that is 3 days long, a test that I already had to put off for 6 months because my DS arrived a month early...and I'm STILL procrastinating about it! Just my nature, I guess...I've always been this way! It's just so hard to study after working all day and having a 7month old and DH to come home to (plus two dogs that also crave attention). I've been trying to study at home, and I think that's my downfall...If I'd just get my butt to the library, I know I'd be much more productive.